012: Declarations Be Damned
The salty air carried the acrid scent of gunpowder, mingling with the ozone of an approaching storm.
KRISHOOM!
A cannonball hurtled towards the Hanahime, only to be blocked by a massive, crystallized limb that materialized out of thin air. The limb absorbed the explosive impact, shielding the ship from harm. Naruto, his golden hair whipping in the wind, swiftly shattered the crystals with a mental command and returned his calloused hand to the helm.
From below deck, Gin, Menchi, and Hanabi emerged, their faces etched with determination.
"Menchi! Gin!" Naruto's voice cut through the chaos, his blue eyes blazing with intensity. "On defence with Shinobu. The galley's secure?
"Aye, Captain," Gin nodded, his dark hair glinting in the flashes of the occasional grey.
Shinobu, her lithe form silhouetted against the darkening sky, leapt down from her lookout perch. She kicked off the mast, executing a perfect flip before landing gracefully before the trio. "We've got three marine warships on our tail, closing fast," she reported, her voice steady despite the gravity of the situation.
Gin strode purposefully towards the mast, strapping his well-worn tonfas to his back with practiced ease.
"Hanabi," Naruto called out, his gaze fixed on the roiling storm ahead. Forks of lightning illuminated a nightmarish landscape of towering waterspouts. "You're with Nojiko. We've got a hell of a storm to navigate."
Hanabi's pale eyes narrowed as she nodded. "Got it. I'll plot us a course through this maelstrom while we lose those marine bastards."
"You know it," Naruto grinned, his smile faltering as another cannonball whizzed past, mere inches from his face. The projectile splintered the ship's railing, sending wooden shards flying. Naruto's expression hardened into a dangerous glare, causing even the seasoned Nojiko to shiver at the cold fury emanating from their usually cheerful captain.
The pirate captain let go of the helm and walked toward the starboard railing and looked at another marine ship sailing toward them.
"Is that another warship?" Nojiko cried as she realised that they were being cornered and slowly surrounded.
Naruto walked up to the undamaged railing and stamped his foot on to it as crystals began to form in front of the blonde. Crystals that meld together into a hexogen like crystal.
The blonde then glanced toward the approaching fourth ship as he smirked as the mirror in front of him reflection changed from himself to directly above the marine ship.
"Send the rest to a watery grave," Naruto growled, his voice low and menacing. He reared his arm as green, blue and pink crystals began to burst out of his left arm. "Kesho Kesho no Piercing Lance!"
From the looks of the rest of the crew a giant crystal lance came from the heavens and pierced a giant hole straight through the warship causing it to halt its pursuit and began sinking beneath Paradise's wild waves.
Menchi, Gin, Nojiko, and even Shinobu was shocked as they all just witnessed Naruto, their captain destroying a warship single handily.
"But his arm isn't big how is it that big?" Nojiko asked anyone.
"It's all about a matter of perspective." Hanabi said but did not explain further.
Noticing the looks he was getting he turned back to them as he walked back toward the helm. "What? That was my favourite railing." Naruto said simply with a straight face before turning toward his sister. "You two get us out of here."
"With pleasure, Captain," Hanabi replied, a wicked smile playing on her lips. She leapt into the air with inhuman grace, landing beside Nojiko near the helm.
"And then there were two." Menchi muttered as she spotted one of the three pursuing warships peel off the pursuit to aid their sinking comrades.
"That just leaves two on our tail." Gin said as he cracked his neck.
"Don't lose focus Shinobu ordered as she deflected a cannonball that would of shattered their mast.
Naruto spun the wheel, the muscles in his arms tensing as he steered their beloved ship out of the line of fire. Around him, his crew sprang into action with well-honed precision.
Menchi, her movements a blur, leapt and twisted through the air. Her blade flashed in the storm light as she sliced cannonballs clean in half or kicked them away with devastating force.
Shinobu moved with fluid efficiency, her weapons a constant whir of motion as she deflected incoming fire, sending the projectiles harmlessly into the churning sea.
Gin, his body morphing and growing, shifted into his fearsome ankylosaurus hybrid form. With a primal roar, he swung his clubbed tail like a giant bat, smashing cannonballs out of the air with bone-crushing force.
The sails, ship and crew were starting to feel light spray get heavier the closer they ventured toward the storm.
"Ladies do we have a heading!" Naruto shouted as the seas around them seemed to roar louder the quicker they churned.
Nojiko and Hanabi looked toward each other before nodding in the blonde's direction.
Veins pumped with blood and power Hanabi's eyes gained a focus like always seeing in every direction for 110 meters with herself as the epicentre.
"We're about to enter Pylon archipelago a part of Paradise infamous for its storm season." Nojiko began to explain before remembering their current situation. "Just everyone make sure your heads on a swivel.
"Naruto, to port 23 degrees." Hanabi shouted just before Naruto followed the instruction and steered.
A few seconds later the shadow of a huge pillar rock overtook their ship.
"Goddamn I love those eyes." Naruto cheered as they avoided death once again. "Keep your eyes on the Prize Hanabi." The blonde pirate laughed jovially as if death was of no concern to him.
The storm loomed ahead, a writhing mass of dark clouds and flashing lightning. Vice Admiral Dalmatian stood on the deck, his spotted fur ruffling in the wind, eyes narrowed against the spray of salt water.
"Vice Admiral Dalmatian, sir!" A marine with an oversized cap that threatened to fly off in the gale stumbled forward, saluting awkwardly. "The Obsidian Rogues are heading straight into that maelstrom." He pointed at the roiling tempest ahead, his voice quavering. "Do... do we maintain course?" 'Rumours have it that the King of Lizards used to run these islands with an iron fist before he was defeated by a rookie. And lost his warlord status.' The prince idly thought before snapping back to attention.
Dalmatian's lips curled into a grim smile, revealing sharp canine teeth. "Of course we do. Justice is restless and relentless, just like this storm. Now, Captain Grus!"
The mint green-haired man stepped forward, his regal bearing at odds with his marine uniform. "I'm still a Prince, you know," he muttered under his breath, nodding curtly to the Vice Admiral.
CRACK!
A whip lashed out, striking the deck mere inches from Grus's polished boots.
"Stop your whining, Your Highness. We've got pirates to discipline," a young woman sneered, her eyes glinting with malicious glee as she cracked her whip again, sending splinters flying.
"Commander Kujaku, contain yourself," Dalmatian barked. "Some of the men can't handle your... enthusiasm."
"Kujaku-sama!" a roar of older marines with love hearts in their eyes cheered.
"Yeah, save it for the pirates," Grus snarked, eyeing the whip warily. "And you lot back to work!"
As if on cue, a high-pitched whistle cut through the air. Dalmatian's heightened senses kicked in, and he ducked just as a cannonball whizzed past, ruffling his fur.
BOOM!
The projectile struck the deck, sending marines sprawling and splintering the woodwork. As the smoke cleared, a collective gasp rose from the crew.
'It's a dud?!' The thought rippled through the ranks as they stared at the unexploded cannonball embedded in the deck.
Dalmatian's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. 'I can't believe this rookie pirate could crush a warship single-handedly, and now this. What kind of monsters are we chasing?'
Lightning flashed, illuminating the determined faces of the marine crew. Despite the ominous signs, they steeled themselves for the battle ahead. Even if they were down from four to two ships the hunt for the Obsidian Rogues was far from over.
Thunder roared, its deafening clap shaking the very air around the Hanahime. Lightning split the sky, illuminating the chaotic seascape in stark, electric blue flashes. The sea, no longer a passive entity, had transformed into a living, writhing beast. Massive waves spiralled into towering waterspouts, their funnels reaching towards the storm-darkened heavens.
Amidst this apocalyptic tableau, the Hanahime danced. Her hull creaked and groaned under the assault, yet she held firm, guided by the seemingly impossible skill of her captain. Naruto's laughter, wild and exhilarated, cut through the howling winds and crashing waves. His hands gripped the wheel with white-knuckled intensity, eyes gleaming with a mix of focus and unbridled joy.
"Port, 15 degrees!" Hanabi's voice rang out, her Byakugan activated, veins bulging around her pale eyes as she scanned the treacherous waters ahead.
Naruto responded instantly, spinning the wheel with practiced precision. The Hanahime lurched, narrowly avoiding a massive wave that would have capsized a lesser ship or a less skilled crew.
"Those fuckers have stopped shooting at us," Menchi said as she looked back while holding the rails.
"It has been a minute but the conditions are less than ideal, they keep missing because of the winds, and rough seas." Gin answered as his bulkier form allowed for him to stay rooted in this chaotic ride.
"Someone seems to be enjoying themselves." Shinobu commented as she leapt up towards the helm. As she landed her eyes widened slightly at the sight before her.
The non-blood related siblings, synergy was born of years of training and shared experience.
When they first washed up on that fateful island in the East Blue, neither could have imagined the path that lay ahead. An experienced Pilot who sailed all over the world, the one who took them in – a legend in his own right – had seen the potential in the young castaways. He honed their natural talents, teaching them not just to survive the sea, but to become one with it.
Naruto's mind's eye – his burgeoning observation Haki – reached out, feeling the ebb and flow of the currents, the subtle shifts in the wind. It melded seamlessly with Hanabi's Byakugan, her 360-degree vision piercing through the chaos to find the hidden paths, the brief moments of calm in the storm's fury.
"Starboard, hard!" Hanabi called out, her voice tight with concentration.
Naruto complied without hesitation, trusting his sister's vision implicitly. The Hanahime tilted precariously, riding up the face of a monstrous wave. For a heart-stopping moment, it seemed they might capsize, but Naruto's instincts and Hanabi's guidance prevailed. They crested the wave, plummeting down its far side with a bone-jarring crash.
Water crashed over the deck, but the crew held firm, each member playing their part in this deadly dance with nature. Gin's transformed body acted as a living anchor, his massive tail providing counterbalance. Shinobu and Menchi worked in tandem, using their skills to reinforce the rigging and sails against the punishing winds.
Through it all, Naruto's laughter continued, a defiant challenge to the storm itself. This was more than navigation; it was art, a sublime fusion of skill and instinct that few could hope to match. The Hanahime surged forward, leaving the pursuing Marine ships far behind, their crews watching in awe and frustration as the pirate vessel disappeared into the heart of the maelstrom.
Two hours had passed since their harrowing journey through the storm. The Hanahime now rested, anchored off the coast of one of the habitable islands within the Pylon Archipelago. Hidden in the entrance of a natural cave, its exit sealed by a giant shard of obsidian - a testament to Naruto's crystal abilities - the ship lay shielded from prying eyes, invisible to all but the Rogues themselves.
As the crew made their way towards the nearest town, the contrast between their recent ordeal and the peaceful island was stark. The forest path they traversed was dappled with sunlight, the air fresh and crisp after the storm.
"How long are we here for?" Shinobu asked, her keen eyes scanning their surroundings for potential threats.
Nojiko glanced at her log pose, frowning at the erratic spinning of the needle. "From my best judgment, we're looking at least a week here. This island's magnetic field is... unusual."
Gin, now back in his human form, groaned. "Great. With our luck, that Vice Admiral will land here during this week."
"You scared of a fight?" Menchi teased, a glint in her eye.
"Pah!" Gin spat, his pride bristling. "Those fools are lucky that cannonball was a dud. Next time, they won't be so fortunate."
Shinobu placed a calming hand on Gin's shoulder. "You'll get your shot," she assured the master gunner. "But until then, we need to resupply. We spent a lot of ammunition in that last battle."
"Since we're going to be here a week," Naruto interjected, a mischievous smile playing on his lips, "I'll look into getting my gift commissioned."
The crew turned to their captain curiosity piqued.
"It's just a few ideas I've been coming up with," Naruto explained, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly. "But I ain't no smith, so I'll need some local expertise."
As they emerged from the cover of the trees, they were greeted by a sight that seemed impossible given their recent experience. Sunny, clear skies stretched above a bustling town its streets alive with activity.
"When did the weather change?" Menchi asked, bewildered. She glanced behind them, where the storm clouds seemed to halt their downpour at the very edge of the forest, as if held back by an invisible barrier.
"What can I say? The weather in Paradise be that way," Nojiko responded with a shrug, though even she seemed impressed by the dramatic shift.
"Paradise, my back foot," Gin muttered, memories of his first, disastrous trip into the Grand Line with Krieg's flag flashing through his mind. 'Definitely a better experience the second time around,' he thought, grateful for his current crew.
Hanabi, ever observant, noticed the contented grin on their captain's face. "What's on your mind, Captain?" she inquired.
"Hmm?" Naruto hummed, pulled from his thoughts. "Nothing much. Just the adrenaline settling after that wild ride. Man, those waves were totally gnarly!"
As the crew continued into town, the bustle of daily life surrounded them. Merchants hawked their wares, children played in the streets, and the tantalizing aroma of local cuisine wafted through the air. Yet, beneath this veneer of normalcy, an undercurrent of tension was palpable to the keen observer.
Unbeknownst to the Obsidian Rogues, the Pylon Archipelago held its own complex web of alliances, power struggles, and hidden dangers. The status quo here was a delicate balance, one that their arrival might inadvertently upset. And beyond this temporary haven, greater challenges awaited on their journey ahead - challenges that would test not only their strength and skill but the very bonds that held their crew together.
As the Obsidian Rogues entered the bustling town, the cacophony of daily life enveloped them. The air was thick with the mingled scents of exotic spices, fresh seafood, and the ever-present salt of the nearby ocean. They agreed to reconvene at the central tavern in a couple of hours, each eager to explore this new port of call.
The four women of the crew - Hanabi, Nojiko, Shinobu, and Menchi - decided to stick together. Their contrasting appearances drew curious glances from the locals as they wandered the cobblestone streets. Hanabi's pale eyes scanned their surroundings with quiet intensity, while Nojiko's vibrant blue hair caught the sunlight. Shinobu moved with the fluid grace of a trained warrior, and Menchi's confident stride spoke of her strength and skill.
Gin, his head down and his hands in pockets, made a beeline for the black powder store they had passed earlier. His fingers twitched with anticipation, already calculating how to replenish and possibly upgrade their artillery stores.
Naruto, their enigmatic captain, let his senses guide him. The acrid scent of burning coal and the rhythmic clanging of metal on metal drew him like a moth to flame. His right hand rested casually on the hilt of his katana a habit normally born of constant vigilance or staggering overconfidence. The whisker marks on his cheeks, usually a source of curiosity, now seemed to blend into the eclectic tapestry of the port town's inhabitants.
What the crew failed to notice, however, was a figure lurking in the shadows of a nearby alley. The man reeked of stale alcohol, sweat, and an unmistakable air of desperation. His bloodshot eyes widened in recognition as they landed on Naruto, zeroing in on the distinctive whisker marks.
'Shit, it's him,' the man thought, his heart racing. 'Gotta tell the boss.'
With surprising agility for one so inebriated, he scrambled towards a hidden alcove where a den den mushi booth was concealed behind a tattered curtain. His trembling fingers fumbled with the receiver desperation evident in every movement.
On another island in the Pylon Archipelago, a fortress of obsidian and coral loomed against the stormy sky. Its jagged spires pierced the roiling clouds, a testament to the ambition and cruelty of its master. Within its dark halls, shadows danced in the flickering torchlight, and the air hung heavy with the scent of brine and fear.
The blonde sharpshooter who had invaded the Hanahime a fortnight ago strode purposefully through the corridors. Her steps echoed ominously heralding news that would set in motion a chain of events destined to shake the very foundations of Paradise.
"Captain Hanafuda!" Heinkel's voice reverberated through the cavernous main hall as they burst through the heavy doors, their breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "We've received an urgent call from our informant on Myling Island."
Daki, her elaborate kimono rustling softly like whispered secrets, rose from her ornate chair. Her eyes, sharp as a hawk's, glinted with a mixture of curiosity and barely concealed bloodlust. "The trade depot? What could be so important there?"
Heinkel's eyes gleamed with a feverish excitement. "A whiskered-faced blonde and a small group have just entered the main town. It has to be them - the Obsidian Rogues!"
The air in the room seemed to thicken, becoming almost suffocating as all eyes turned to the imposing figure seated on a throne-like chair at the far end of the hall. Captain Hanafuda, all eight feet of him, leaned forward, his massive frame casting a shadow that seemed to devour the light. A slow, predatory smile spread across his face, revealing teeth filed to razor-sharp points.
"Interesting," he rumbled, his voice like gravel grinding beneath a giant's heel. "They have my devil fruit. Perhaps now is the time to reclaim what's rightfully mine." With a grace that belied his enormous size, Hanafuda stood, stretching languidly. Each movement was deliberate, like a coiled spring slowly releasing its tension, promising explosive violence.
He took a step towards the center of the hall, the floor trembling slightly beneath his weight as if the very earth feared his touch. "Makato," he barked, his voice carrying the unmistakable tone of command that brooked no argument.
A figure melted out of the shadows - a samurai wrapped in bandages, the infamous Ronin Shisho Makato. His eyes, cold and calculating, fixed on his captain with unwavering loyalty.
"Ready the fleet," Hanafuda ordered, his words carrying the weight of impending doom. "We move at dawn."
"Hai, Oyabun," Makato replied with a curt nod, already turning to carry out the order, his bandages rustling like dry leaves in an autumn wind.
Hanafuda's gaze swept across the room, landing on three of his most trusted lieutenants. His eyes, reptilian and unblinking, seemed to pierce their very souls. "Gyataro, Daki, Heinkel - take our fastest ship. Draw those rookies towards this island. Use whatever means necessary, but I want them alive."
A pregnant silence filled the room, heavy with unasked questions and unspoken fears.
"And the town, Captain?" Heinkel finally asked, curiosity overcoming caution. The question hung in the air, laden with the weight of countless lives.
The silence deepened, broken only by a menacing hiss that seemed to emerge from the very bowels of Hanafuda's being. A forked tongue flicked out between his lips, tasting the air. Toxic-looking saliva oozed from his maw, sizzling as it hit the stone floor.
"Burn it all." The words were spoken softly, but the madness blazing behind the Lizard King's eyes was unmistakable. It was a decree of destruction, a promise of chaos that brooked no argument.
"Yes, Captain!" the twins and Heinkel chorused, their voices ringing with a mixture of fear and anticipation for the hunt to come.
As his crew dispersed to carry out his orders, Hanafuda turned to face the large window overlooking the turbulent sea. His reflection stared back at him - a hulking figure with eyes that held the memory of past glories and the promise of future conquests. The scars that marred his scaled skin seemed to writhe in the dim light, a constant reminder of past defeats and fuel for his burning desire for vengeance.
"Interesting choice of words," a new voice perked up from the shadows, dripping with sarcasm and barely concealed disdain.
"I did not summon you," Hanafuda snarled, his muscles tensing visibly. "What do you want, Stein?"
There were a couple of scraping noises, followed by sparks that briefly illuminated a face that seemed cobbled together from mismatched parts. The flickering light cast grotesque shadows across the patchwork visage of Dr. Stein.
"Nothing," Stein replied, his voice a mixture of boredom and amusement. "It's just time for your medication to handle those burns of yours. Wouldn't want our illustrious captain falling apart before his grand return, now would we?"
"You may be the ship's doctor, but I am the captain!" Hanafuda roared, spittle flying from his lips. "I decide when things happen here!"
Stein's lips curled into a sardonic smile. "To think, even with a Zoan fruit like yours, the scars from Firefist remain. And now, not even three years later, you're losing your mind over another East Blue rookie." He paused to light a cigarette, the flame briefly illuminating the mad gleam in his eyes. "History does have a way of repeating itself, doesn't it?"
The doctor stepped fully into the light, his patchwork body a testament to his own twisted experiments. With his free hand, he reached up and casually adjusted the massive screw impaling his skull, as if it were nothing more than an annoying itch.
"It matters not," Hanafuda growled, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "What matters is regaining my glory and status. I will do whatever is necessary to win."
"Hmm," Stein hummed noncommittally. He placed the medication on the arm of the throne and turned back toward the darkness, leaving only the trail of smoke from his cigarette behind.
Hanafuda's eyes narrowed as he watched the smoke curl and twist in the air. For a moment, it seemed to take on a sinister shape.
'A skull? Death?' the former Warlord thought, a chill running down his spine. He shook his head violently, dispelling the ominous vision, and turned back towards the window overlooking the tempestuous ocean.
"Soon," he murmured, his voice barely audible above the howling wind outside. "Soon, I'll be ready to return to the world stage and reclaim my former glory." His hands clenched into fists, muscles rippling beneath his scarred skin. "The King of Lizards will rise again, and all of Paradise will tremble at my name!"
His laughter started low, a rumbling chuckle that built into a crescendo of manic glee. It echoed through the halls of his fortress, a chilling promise of the chaos to come. Outside, the storm raged on, lightning illuminating the twisted spires of the fortress. It was as if nature itself was responding to the ambitions of the fallen Warlord, now poised to make his triumphant, terrible return.
The group of female Rogues emerged from the clothing store, each woman laden with three to four bags, their vibrant colours contrasting against the muted tones of the bustling town. Laughter and chatter filled the air as they strolled through the lively streets, their spirits buoyed by a successful shopping spree. They had ordered supplies in bulk, ensuring they would be well-prepared for their week-long stay, with plans to pick everything up in just a few days.
As they meandered through the market, Menchi's keen eyes caught sight of a quaint smaller clothing boutique tucked away between two larger establishments. A playful smirk danced on her lips as she turned to her companions. "Ladies? Shall we?" she proposed, an arched brow suggesting mischief.
Nojiko, Hanabi, and even Shinobu exchanged excited glances, matching grins spreading across their faces. The prospect of more shopping ignited a spark of enthusiasm among them, their camaraderie palpable as they prepared to dive into yet another adventure.
"I've looking to replace somethings since those two invaded maybe this place has things a bit more durable then our latest haul." Nojiko said with a smirk, her eyes shining with anticipation.
"You handled yourself very well during that scuffle. Gin's lessons paying off and your aim is getting a lot better."
"Damn straight." Nojiko flexed a bicep, "Soon I won't be the weakest member of the crew."
"It's not about strength," Hanabi started "And besides you'll grow in time." The firecracker explained.
"Naruto is interested in you for your other skills, your mind, navigation skills." Shinobu stepped in. "If it wasn't for the two of you." The first mate indicated toward Hanabi and Nojiko "And Naruto we would have been sank by the waves or worse a long time ago."
"Speaking of the capt'n do you think maybe I'll find something that will make the captain's jaw drop," Menchi added with a wink, her competitive spirit flaring.
Hanabi chuckled softly, her pale eyes glimmering with amusement. "Just don't forget who you're shopping for," she teased, nudging Menchi playfully.
"This is definitely a change of pace from being shot at, I do say," Shinobu spoke up.
With laughter trailing behind them like a banner of joy, the four women made their way toward the boutique.
The tavern's weathered door creaked open, admitting Gin and Naruto into a world of amber light and raucous laughter. The scent of stale beer and pipe smoke hung heavy in the air, a familiar comfort to seasoned sailors. They were the first of the Obsidian Rogues to arrive, having finished their business early - their requests and orders placed for the week-long stay.
Naruto slid onto a worn barstool, the wood groaning beneath him as if sharing an old secret. Gin took the seat beside him, his movements careful and measured, betraying a hidden pain.
"Gin," Naruto began, his voice low and tinged with concern, "tell me, how's the recovery coming?" His blue eyes, usually alight with mischief, now held a sombre intensity as he studied his crewmate.
Gin's fingers drummed a restless rhythm on the bar top, his gaze fixed on some distant point. "Don't know what to tell ya, Captain," he replied, his voice rough as sandpaper. "Not recovered, just... not getting worse. The fruit's power is currently wasted on me. My human form, as far as I can tell, is not healing the damage from the poison."
Naruto nodded slowly, digesting the information. He raised a tankard of ale to his lips, the foam leaving a moustache that he wiped away with the back of his hand. "Shinobu has done all she can," he said simply, his tone a mixture of pride in their crew's medic and frustration at the limits of her abilities. "Looks like a doctor is definitely next on the agenda."
A ghost of a smile flickered across Gin's face, a blend of anxiety and hope dancing in his eyes. "Thanks, Capt'n," he murmured, the words carrying the weight of unspoken gratitude.
"No problem," Naruto replied, his trademark grin returning as he raised his tankard in a toast before downing the remainder of his ale in one long gulp. The empty vessel hit the bar with a resounding thud. "Barkeep!" he hollered, his voice cutting through the tavern's din. "Bring on the rum!"
Gin's eyes narrowed, a predatory glint replacing the earlier vulnerability. He leaned forward, his voice dropping to a menacing growl that only the barkeep could hear. "And not the cheap swill you give to the locals, either."
The barkeep, a portly man with a face like weathered leather, glanced between the two pirates. Naruto's warm smile did little to offset the cold threat in Gin's eyes. With a nervous nod, he scurried off to fetch their drinks, leaving the two crewmates to share a knowing look.
As they waited for their rum, the tavern's atmosphere seemed to shift around them. The other patrons, a motley crew of weather-beaten sailors and rough-looking locals, cast furtive glances their way. There was something about these newcomers - an air of danger, of barely contained power - that set them apart.
Naruto leaned back his posture relaxed but his senses alert. His fingers absently traced the hilt of his katana, a subtle reminder of the violence that always simmered beneath the surface. Gin, for his part, seemed to get comfortable, his greying hairs catching the dim light like a blade's edge.
They were two men enjoying a drink, yes, but they were also predators at rest - and the rest of the tavern knew it. As the barkeep returned with a bottle of the establishment's finest rum, Naruto and Gin shared another look.
Eyes locked, a silent understanding passing between them. Naruto and Gin, seasoned pirates of the Obsidian Rogues, downed their drinks with practiced ease. The empty glasses hit the bar with a synchronized thud that seemed to echo through the suddenly hushed tavern.
"Another," Naruto commanded, his voice carrying the quiet authority of a man accustomed to being obeyed.
Gin leaned forward, "You heard the man. Leave the bottle, but before you go..." His voice trailed off, heavy with implication.
With a fluid motion that caused several patrons to flinch, Naruto reached into his coat. Instead of a weapon, he produced a stack of beri notes, crisp and enticing. The blonde slammed it on the bar, the sound like a gunshot in the tense atmosphere.
"Also," Naruto added, his blue eyes gleaming with a mixture of curiosity and danger, "anything about these islands me and mine have stumbled across."
The barkeep's eyes widened, greed warring with caution on his weathered face. After a moment's hesitation, he scurried to the back, returning with three more bottles of their finest rum. His hands trembled slightly as he poured for the pair, the clink of glass on glass unnaturally loud in the watchful silence of the tavern.
"Well," the barkeep began, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "you're currently inside the Pylon Archipelago, which is made up of a trio of islands." He paused, glancing around as if afraid of being overheard. "You're on Myling Island, where trade is most prevalent. The nearest habitable island is called Earthhenge Island, and the last island... well, it's not habitable."
Naruto and Gin exchanged a glance, their expressions mirroring each other's scepticism. 'Bullshit,' they both thought, the word almost tangible in the air between them.
"And the weird-ass storm?" Gin pressed, his tone making it clear he expected more than just local folklore.
The barkeep's face split into a knowing smirk as he leaned back, clearly relishing his role as the keeper of local secrets. "Well, that's our claim to fame in these parts," he said, his voice taking on a storyteller's cadence. "The corrupt Queen of these lands was a powerful mystic who could summon storms and control the very weather itself. She fought against the World Government and lost, but in her defeat, her spite reached out and cursed the skies around all three islands."
"Hmm," Naruto hummed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Sounds like an overpowered devil fruit." He laughed, the sound rich and full of hidden knowledge that seemed to dance just beyond the barkeep's understanding.
"Like you can talk," Gin muttered, his words barely audible over the ambient noise of the tavern. His eyes flicked to Naruto's arm, where crystalline structures briefly shimmered beneath the skin before fading from view.
Naruto's eyes glinted mischievously, a predator's smile playing on his lips. "Hmm? What was that, Gin? Did you say something?"
"You son of a bitch!" Gin snapped at the tease, his hand slamming down on the bar as he reached for his drink. He downed it in one swift motion, the liquid fire doing little to quell the heat of his irritation.
"The bitch actually." The blonde quipped.
The exchange, though playful, carried an undercurrent of tension that rippled through the tavern. The other patrons watched from the corners of their eyes, sensing that these newcomers were more than just ordinary sailors seeking shelter from the storm. There was an aura of barely contained power about them, a sense of impending chaos that seemed to follow in their wake.
As Naruto and Gin continued their banter, the weight of unasked questions hung in the air. What was the true nature of the uninhabitable island? What secrets lay hidden in the storm-wracked seas of the Pylon Archipelago? And perhaps most pressingly, what would these dangerous strangers do with the information they'd just acquired?
The answers remained elusive, lost in the swirling depths of rum and the enigmatic smiles of two pirates who seemed to dance on the edge of chaos itself. The barkeep, sensing the shift in atmosphere, quietly retreated, leaving the bottle as requested. He couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just set something in motion.
As Gin and Naruto grew louder and more boisterous with drink, a man in the corner of the tavern glared at them, his mind clouded by rage, alcohol, and a notoriously poor temperament. The big man stood up unsteadily, swaying slightly as he stomped his way toward the bar.
"Oi! You're too cocky for a newcomer!" he bellowed, rearing his arm back to strike at Naruto while his back was turned.
"Gig! No!" the barkeep shouted panic etched across his face as he recognized the brewing conflict.
Naruto, however, continued to sip his drink without a care in the world. The force of Gig's impending blow sent a gust of air that ruffled Naruto's hair. He casually placed his mug onto the countertop and glanced to his right, where he saw Gin's back turned to him. In a swift motion, Gin grabbed hold of Gig's wrist just before it could connect.
"You don't want this fight, big guy. Seriously," Gin warned, his voice low but firm.
"Oh yeah? Maybe I do, skinny!" Gig retorted, yanking his hefty wrist free and swinging his other fist forward. "You think you can insult me and just walk away?"
'Insult?' Gin thought, a smirk curling on his lips as it turned malevolent. "Well, just how could you say such a thing…" With a quick flick of his wrist, Gin backhanded Gig's punch away before leaping into the air, rearing back for an attack. "With my head in your teeth!"
"Too slow…" Naruto sang softly.
In that instant, Gin smashed his skull forward into Gig's mouth with brutal precision. Blood and teeth spilled from the larger man's mouth as he stumbled backward a couple of paces. Before Gig could regain his balance, Gin lashed out with a roundhouse kick that sent him crashing headfirst through the front doors of the bar.
"Ohh scary! I've got quite the monster on my crew," Naruto teased, laughter dancing in his eyes.
"Well, from one monster to another," Gig spat as he struggled to get up outside, "I'm gonna catch your bounty real fast."
"Bring it on, Dino brat!" Naruto shot back with a grin.
"At least I ain't a walking chandelier!" Gig shouted defiantly from outside.
"I don't even know what that is!" Naruto hollered in response, shaking his head with mock confusion.
The atmosphere in the tavern shifted dramatically, patrons exchanging glances filled with a mixture of awe and amusement at the spectacle unfolding before them. The camaraderie between Naruto and Gin was palpable, electric even. Naruto stood up, his movement fluid and confident, and wrapped an arm around Gin's shoulders. With his free hand, he shoved a frothy mug into Gin's grasp, the amber liquid sloshing dangerously close to the rim.
Just as the tavern seemed ready to settle back into its normal rhythm, an explosion outside shattered the momentary calm. The sound reverberated through the wooden walls, causing glasses to rattle and conversations to halt mid-sentence. Every head turned towards the entrance anticipation thick in the air.
The doors swung open with a dramatic flair, as if pushed by an unseen force. In strode four women, their beauty and presence immediately commanding the attention of every patron. Nojiko, her blue hair shimmering in the tavern's dim light; Shinobu, moving with the grace of a seasoned warrior; Menchi, her confident stride speaking volumes of her strength; and Hanabi, the shortest of the four, with wisps of smoke still wafting from her palms.
Naruto arched an eyebrow, his lips curling into a knowing smirk. "Overgrown dumbass?" he inquired, his tone a mixture of amusement and pride.
Hanabi snorted, her pale eyes glinting with mischief. "Don't you know it. He tried to grab Nojiko as we walked past his sorry ass."
"So, you sent him flying," Gin stated rather than asked, his voice knowing what to expect from Hanabi.
"Damn straight," Hanabi smirked, her satisfaction evident in every syllable. "But not before Nojiko knocked him upside the head with her rifle."
"Really," Gin's eyes widened as his pupils traced onto the bluenettes. "I guess I can kick your training up a level."
Nojiko confidence shattered in that instant. Everyone knew it even Naruto, Gin was a sadist when it came to training.
Naruto's grin widened as he stepped into the middle of the tavern, his presence filling the room. "Inhabitants of Myling Island," he announced, pausing for dramatic effect as all eyes turned to him. "Let's have a party!" His voice rose with excitement. "And the next round is on me!" With a flourish, he tossed another stack of beri towards the wide-eyed barkeep.
The tavern erupted into a rambunctious roar, a cacophony of cheers and laughter from both the local patrons and the crew of the Obsidian Rogues. The energy in the room was electric, a palpable excitement that seemed to make the very air vibrate.
As the celebration kicked into high gear, laughter echoed through the tavern, bouncing off the walls and mingling with the clinking of glasses and the stomping of feet. The Obsidian Rogues, flush with victory and the thrill of a new adventure, threw themselves into the festivities with abandon.
Yet, unbeknownst to the revellers, a pair of eyes watched from the shadows. Hidden in a dark corner, obscured by the smoke and the press of bodies, a figure observed the scene with keen interest. These eyes belonged to someone who might not take the Rogues' antics lightly, someone whose plans might be disrupted by the arrival of these boisterous pirates.
As the party raged on, this unseen observer continued to watch and wait, plotting their next move in a game that the Obsidian Rogues had unwittingly entered. The stage was set for a clash of wills and ambitions, with the fate of Myling Island hanging in the balance.
End
A.N
Now then its has been a minute ngl One Piece holds a special place in my heart as always.
Poll results:
Obsidian Rouges will be in Egghead when the Strawhats are there.
So we aint touching Wano it's a shame because Shinobu's family in this verse originate from Wano but I don't mind.
Also does anyone know how long the Wano arc in canon time please.
Currently Straw-hats are going up against Crocodile/Baroque Works
We will next see the Straw-hats in Water seven which will be fun.
Not to action heavy this chapter, but sometimes you need set up chapters.
Fan letter to the Straw Hats was amazing, reminded me that df, swordsman and haki users are all terrifying monsters J, Mary and Joseph.
The chaotic nature of war was brilliantly animated.
Offscreen things that happened.
Naruto put in an order for Nojiko's new weapon.
Gin ordered ammunition (all types)
Menchi ordered food, herbs and spices obsv.
Shinobu ordered exotic herbs used for poison antidotes.
Nojiko maps of the local region
Hanabi art supplies
Gig is a future member of the Kidd Pirates (Just an asshole wanting payback)
Im guessing most deffo know what the King of Lizards Hanafuda df is becuase I think I made it obvious.
Last thing yes Franken Stein from Soul Eater is making an appearance
Anyway thoughts lemme know what y'all be thinking