beenjammin0421: Oh, thanks! Glad you think so. I've got a bit of trouble in wrapping up the Alabasta arc. I'm almost half way through it but I'm still working on going all the way. I hope life treats you well too.
After finding that Luffy had taken off instead of keeping track on their work for Kureha, an irritated Sanji had headed off to find him. But since the castle was big and he had no idea where to go, his search was fruitless. He'd eventually wound up near the room Nami was resting at and so decided to check on the navigator.
Nami was thinking about the earlier exchange with Chopper, wondering if there was a way to figure out why it went like that.
When she found that Kureha had come back in to work on something, she decided to ask ''Doctorine, I was wondering...'' Kureha looked at her. ''...could you tell me about Chopper?''
''Oh? So my little apprentice has you curious?''
''Kinda, yeah...'' She admitted. ''...it's just-well, he looked like he was getting along with Miguel nicely. And he was clearly fascinated when he found out we were all at sea to accomplish our dreams. But then he started acting pretty strange when Miguel asked him about his own dream.''
''Ah...I imagine he would.'' The woman nodded. ''Do you know that the kid was the first in a long time to treat Chopper simply as a person just like anyone else?''
Nami blinked ''Really?'' Well, she guessed that the reindeer's obvious differences would make that an issue but she had a feeling that there was more to it.
Kureha made to speak but then the door opened and Sanji came in, perking up at the sight of Nami. ''Nami-swan! I'm so glad you're all right!''
''Yeah, yeah, I'm fine...'' The girl faltered, while she didn't want people making a big deal over, she realized that wasn't quite fair to someone expressing their concern. ''...er, sorry for worrying everyone.''
''You're too kind! You shouldn't ever be sorry, I wish I could've spared you such a terrible time...''
''No point in whining, lover boy. What's done is done.'' Kureha huffed.
Nami hummed in agreement ''So like I was saying, it just looked like those two could actually be friends but at the same time, Chopper practically clammed up and ran back there...''
The doctor sighed ''That doesn't surprise me...You need to understand, friends are something that could happen to anyone for us but so far as Chopper is concerned, it's almost a complete unknown frontier. You speak of them as something simple, but it's always been something he dreamed of.''
Sanji raised an eye, now curious ''...When you say it like that, I guess the little guy had quite a rough time, huh?''
''You don't know the half of it.'' Kureha returned before she proceeded to tell them everything.
Chopper had been born with a blue nose, something that made him a pariah in his own herd. He was left alone and starved, none of them would help and he had to get by on his own. One day he was apparently so hungry and desperate for food that he wound up eating the only fruit he came across that day. It was the Human Human fruit that lead to the transformation they saw today.
Chopper had no chance of living peacefully in the forest after that. None of the animals would apparently have it. Thus he left for one of the towns, thinking he could perhaps stay there. But the humans deemed him a yeti, a monster and shot him on sight. He'd barely escaped that incident in a chance before he came across the man would become his father in all but blood. Dr. Hililuk.
The man was known to be a quack doctor with some bizarre remedies, leaving anyone wary of being treated by him. But at the same time because of Wapol's rules, he and Kureha were the only free doctors around. While he may not know his craft like others would, there was no denying that Hililuk was full of heart. He was impulsive and sometimes rather reckless but he went so far because he truly cared about the kingdom and its people and he wished them well.
Hililuk took care of Chopper and they bonded while the latter was recovering. While it looked like all was well, there was still more trouble ahead. Hililuk had decided to kick Chopper out one day after his recovery and the reindeer, who had really grown to like the man, is left pleading with him for a chance to stay. The doctor had tried to make it look like this had to happen and he didn't want anything to do with Chopper, but the latter's pleas had gotten through to him and he couldn't find it in his heart to kick the little guy out.
The real reason behind his earlier actions? Hililuk was hiding the fact that he had an incurable disease and he didn't want to die on Chopper, who he had grown fond of. He had more or less effectively adopted the reindeer, giving him his name too.
But the reindeer wound up discovering the truth anyway, having overhead a conversation between Kureha and Hilliuk about his disease. Hililuk wasn't concerned though, recalling the story of a thief who had contracted a dangerous illness but he had seen something here that moved him so much that he was cured, his heart was cured instantly by the treausre and Hililuk admits that he was almost done recreating it and Kureha scoffs at him for what she calls a waste of time, admitting that she couldn't believe he wasted all this time on that. But he didn't believe it was a waste, he wanted to use his creation to help the people of Drum.
Chopper, who had been reading his father's books, had discovered something that would help, a mushroom that would cure any disease. Thus he immediately went to get it. The experience had been dangerous for more reason than one but he thought it was worth it to help Hililuk and had shown him the result later, leaving the man floored but he thanks him for all the effort.
Around the same time, Wapol launches a scheme to deal with the two free doctors so he lies to everyone and mourns how the 20 doctors present with him had gotten ill. This wound up worrying Hililuk, who immedately ran to the castle. Kureha was disgruntled, having found the whole thing suspicious for more than one reason and she didn't think he should've believed it, especially in his state. Chopper told her about the medicine he prepared with the mushroom but the description left her alarmed and she quickly demanded details. It turned out the mushroom in question was actually poisonous!
Chopper was floored as the fact sinks in and he resorted to going to catch up to Hililuk. Unfortunately, Kureha's suspicions were right on the berri and no one was sick. Hililuk is completely relieved, despite Wapol declaring this a chance to kill him. The man grinned, not believing it would happen as he declared that a man would only die when he was forgotten. Wapol merely mocked him for this stance but Hililuk managed to inspire Dalton (who had been working for him) at that moment. The doctor may be going out but it would be on his own terms. Asking Dalton to spare Chopper's life as he knew the reindeer would come to find him, he proceeded to drink something that took his life, to general shock.
Wapol began to deride him some more, declaring that he really was crazy. This angered the newly arrived Chopper, who would've attacked the man had Dalton not interfered and calmed him down, reminding him that this was not what Hililuk would want. The reindeer had no choice but to leave after but he found Kureha and asked her to teach him, wanting to complete Hililuk's dream after having made it his own.
To be the miracle cure that would conquer any disease out there.
''And that's that.'' Kureha concluded. ''Wapol fled when those pirates attacked and we moved up here. I've been teaching him ever since. Even when we visit the towns, people only look at my apprentice and see a monster, like always.''
Nami felt terrible for the little doctor ''That's...that's awful...''
''Damn...I knew that tub of lard was a huge problem but this?'' Sanji looked disgusted as he thought over Wapol's actions.
''That's why I have to wonder about what you said regarding friends...I wonder if Chopper can even see himself getting some...'' Kureha said wistfully.
Around the same time...
Chopper was with Miguel again, still curious about the latter, who was preocuppied by fulfilling Doctorine's deal.
He felt bad regarding his earlier escape from the talk before. He just hadn't wanted to talk about dreams. A part of him was scared to see what they would think if they found out the truth.
''Hey, about before...?'' The reindeer blinked up at him. ''Sorry, it looked like what I said in the room upset you.''
Chopper felt worse at this. It really hadn't, he was already liking Miguel and didn't think the young man meant any harm. ''Y-you didn't...I'm sorry...that's my fault. It's just...well...''
''You don't have to say it if you don't want to.''
''Th-thanks...''
''There you are!'' The two started at the voice, seeing Luffy arrive.
''You again?! Leave me alone!'' Chopper cried.
Luffy grinned ''Come on! Let's you and me be friends! Please, I really, really, really do like you, you know?''
Chopper looked shocked ''You...like me?'' He looked at Miguel. ''And you too?''
He nodded ''What's not to like?''
''Yeah, exactly!'' Luffy agreed, both missing Chopper's embarrasment. ''I bet you'd be a great pirate!''
''Y-you're making fun of me, right?!'' The reindeer demanded.
''What? No!''
''Knowing Luffy, he probably thinks you're interesting.'' Miguel offered, making the reindeer blink.
''Really? But the way he acted before...'' He faltered as he remembered Miguel's words about being called a monster. ''...so he doesn't mind having a monster...?''
''What do you mean? I'm a monster too!''
Chopper almost gaped at that. He'd never heard anyone state such a thing so casually. It had him wondering if Luffy also believed in Miguel's mind set regarding this issue.
''Hoo boy, you should see him around food.'' Miguel said wryly, trying to inject some levity in the situation. ''You wouldn't find a bigger monster anywhere. And his strength? Luffy can knock it with the best of them.'' Luffy beamed at him. ''It's like I told you, would you rather be weak and helpeless or strong enough to protect what you care about? That's what it really boils down to.''
''Oh...'' Chopper liked the sound of that. If he was stronger, he could do his best to make sure he wouldn't lose a thing again...
Luffy looked between them ''Hey, if you're going to be friends with Miguel then be my friend too. You should join us!''
''W-what?!'' Chopper yelped.
''I think you're cool and it'll be fun to sail with you. Join my crew!''
''I can't...''
''Tell you what, how about we introduce you to our friends and then we'll see what happens?'' Miguel suggested.
''I-I don't know...'' Chopper said nervously.
''Come on, it sounds...'' Luffy blinked, seeing something coming through the window. ''...Hey, what's that?''
''?'' Chopper and Miguel followed his line of sight, seeing the large figure making its way through to the castle.
Chopper growled, recognizing the hippo and its rider ''Wapol...''
After the reindeer warned Kureha, everyone sans Nami headed out the castle to confront the ex-king, who was still on his mount and followed by three men, Chess, Kuromarimo and Dio. The former two had been his loyal right and left hand men for years and Dio was of a more recent addition after Dalton had turned on them.
''It's that tub of lard again...'' Sanji trailed off.
''I have returned to my castle!'' Wapol declared.
Kureha gave him a dry look ''It isn't yours anymore, you fool.''
The man almost balked ''What're you doing here?!''
''Your majesty, look!'' Dio pointed at the top of the castle, where a pirate flag with a jolly roger that had sakura petals was placed.
''Why is that quack's flag here?!''
Chopper growled at this but Kureha put a hand on his head ''You sure picked some time to come crawling back here.''
Chess bristled ''Treat the king with respect, you old hag!''
''So this guy really was a king?'' Sanji clarified. Not that they had reason to doubt Dalton but after everything they heard, it was a little hard to believe.
''He sure doesn't seem like it, right? How do you know him anyway?''
''He attacked us before and tried eating part of our ship!'' An annoyed Luffy replied.
Wapol scowled ''I am still a king! Nothing has changed, so treat your betters with dignity, you peasants!''
Sanji scoffed ''Better? Show me someone better first.''
''You've got some nerve!'' Dio snapped.
''That's right, this is Wapol, the king and absolute ruler of Drum Kingdom!'' Kuromarimo cried.
''He's the man who ran away and left everyone to die when they needed help the most.'' Miguel said coldly. Privately, he agreed with Vivi. The man didn't deserve to be called king. ''Respect is earned, not demanded. All we're looking at here is a tyrant who is in fact just a coward who won't do his job.''
''That's right! Drum Kingdom died a long time ago.'' Chopper stated.
''You little brats!'' Wapol snapped.
''As if!'' Chess yelled. ''You are addressing this country's monarch, the most excellent of excellencies! For shame!''
''I am the most important person in the kingdom!'' Wapol boasted. ''The people all owe their lives to me and I control everything here!''
''Get real.'' Luffy retorted. ''You're just a coward with a big mouth.''
The four became even angrier at this and Wapol's minions began berating them again. The ex-king growled ''I've had it! I'll put you all to death for this!''
He didn't get far as Luffy immediately punched him at this, leaving Chopper and the three minions surprised.
''I've had enough of that talk.''
''How dare you?! He is the king!'' Dio exclaimed.
''I don't care! He ticked me off again!'' Luffy retorted.
''His arm just stretched! Just what is he?'' Chopper wondered.
Sanji grinned ''A monster.''
''You ingrates!'' Kuromarimo snapped, going for his bow and firing what looked like big black balls of hair. Two hit Sanji's leg and the cook proceeded to try shaking them off. ''It's no use.''
Chess notched an arrow which he set on fire but Miguel requipped his water sword and made a swipe that seemingly hit nothing but the sword released a wave of water that immediately stopped the attack. He proceeded to get the balls of Sanji with Telekinesis magic. Thanking him, the cook went on to kick Chess. The man barely managed to get away in time, using the snow as cover.
''Hah, how do you like that?! You won't win, we know this field better than anyone!'' Chess boasted. Little did he know that Sanji was already following his voice.
''Take my Surprise Marimo attack!'' Kuromarimo unleashed a number of spikes, leaving the cook distracted as he jumped away to dodge.
Wapol smirked ''He'll be the first to prove our superiority, take him down!''
''I wouldn't go getting a big head now.'' Sanji jumped to his far left, having figured out where Chess was. In seconds, he kicked the man hard and slammed him down.
''N-no way!''
Kuromarimo tried to notch another arrow but he was forcefully stopped by Luffy, who launched a Gum Gum Pistol then. That was when Dio made his move, surprising the captain by somehow creating what looked like copies of himself and attacking him and Sanji.
Miguel flew in with Meteor, stopping the attacker and all his doubles cold with a vast shining golden shield that covered all of them, to the enemy's surprise.
''Che, it doesn't matter. Finish them all off!'' Wapol ordered.
''At once!'' The three returned.
''Just try it!'' Luffy retorted.
Chopper couldn't help but stare in awe. No matter what Wapol said, the battle was definitely going well for the Straw Hat pirates. He didn't remember the last time anyone stood up to those people, much less handle it so well. Wapol's three minions kept trying to sneak around and use any sort of underhanded means but their opponents always met them head on and stopped them cold. The three pirates were amazing...
Dio tried to distract them all with his clones, having a good number of knives on hand before he jumped at Miguel. The quartermaster aimed his wind sword before casting Wind Burst, the fast spell catching the man off guard and sending him flying. Smirking, Sanji seized on the opportunity before kicking Dio and his clones, most of which disappeared then.
''Huh, it doesn't look like they can take much hits.'' He noted. ''So whatever this trick is, you're basically setting up meat shields.''
Dio growled and Kureha grinned ''I couldn't agree more.''
Chess and Kuromarimo were squaring off against Luffy and Miguel and they were hardly better off than their comrade. The latter tried to take advantage of the field and set up traps while using his archery to hold Luffy back while the former resorted to close combat to fight Miguel.
He was left frustrated when they clashed again, having believed that he could come out on top. Though he tried taking advantage of one of his partner's traps and when Miguel blocked his attack with his sword, he pushed down so the spikes nearby knocked it away.
''A swordsman without his sword is useless!'' He laughed before making to punch his opponent.
A second later, Miguel was surrounded by a faint golden aura which centered around his fists and feet before he ducked the attack and kicked Chess hard enough to stun him. He followed that up with a pair of punches, the second one forceful enough to throw him down.
''I'm not nearly naive enough to think that I can get by by relying on my swords alone.'' He stated.
''Wow...'' Chopper uttered. ''...it's like he got a whole lot faster-was that some kind of magic?''
''Yes, Heavenly Body magic if I'm not mistaken.'' Kureha half-smiled. ''Users of that magic would hardly get by relying on weapons. The ones who truly understand their power train to be strong of body and mind. That idiot never stood a chance against the kid.''
Kuromarimo had gotten to hide in the snow again and tried to pelt Luffy with various arrows. While at first, the idea seemed to be working, the captain eyed the area closely before he smirked and jumped.
''Gum Gum Stamp!''
''Gah!'' The man gasped, the speedy strike throwing him out of hiding and onto the ground.
Wapol growled ''What're you all doing?! Quit fooling around!''
Kureha smirked ''Even someone as thick as you should know a lost battle when he sees one.''
''Yeah, so come and fight if you dare.'' Sanji taunted. ''You sure like to act tough by ordering those suck-ups around, huh?''
''Be silent!'' The ex-king snapped. ''I've had enough of all this disrespect and mockery. I'll show you what I'm really about!''
What was the first thing he did to follow up on that promise, you may? He grabbed Chess and Kuromarimo and ate them!
Chopper cried out in shock and Luffy recoiled ''What the heck is wrong with that guy?!''
Kureha raised an eye while Miguel and Sanji looked bewildered ''That's a new level of weird even for Wapol.''
''You peasants, I'm a user of the Munch Munch fruit! So I can use anything I eat to my advantage. Behold my power, time for the Munch Munch factory!'' Wapol called just as Chess and Kuromarimo re-emerged.
''I am Chessmarimo!''
They now looked twice as tall, both their arms were evident but only a single pair of legs and it looked like their clothes had combined somewhat.
''...So that's all the fanfare was about? Those two piggybacking off each other?'' Miguel wondered.
Sanji and Kureha laughed loudly and Luffy sniggered at that while their enemies were left irate.
''It really does look that way, huh?'' The doctor cackled.
''Yeah, if anything the only thing that kind of fused is their clothes.'' Sanji agreed.
''You just fail to realize our king's power!'' Chessmarimo grunted.
''Yes...but that doesn't matter...'' Wapol turned his arm into a cannon and aimed at the top of the castle, firing a cannonball then.''...I'm sick of seeing that damn quack's flag, I'll take it down now!''
''No, don't!'' Chopper said at once. Sanji had wondered about the item but upon seeing this reaction and how Kureha's face darkened, he understood...it was Hililuk's flag.
Luffy and Miguel, who didn't know the truth, also seemed to realize that this flag held a sort of significance. This incited the latter to act, halting the cannonball and tossing it away with his Telekinesis magic.
''You...'' Chopper stared at him.
''I may not know just what the story is behind the flag but it's important to you, right? That's enough for me.''
''Why you impudent...'' Wapol glowered at the wizard.
Chopper glared at him ''How dare you try to destroy Doctor's flag?! You have no right!''
''Doctor?! Oh, please, that quack doesn't deserve the title! He couldn't save a fly!''
This proved to be the tipping point for the reindeer, who attacked the ex-king in his anger, but Wapol pushed him down.
''Don't you dare badmouth him! Doctor even tried to save you!'' Chopper snapped as he got up.
''Wait, now that I look closer at you, you're that monster from back then.'' He recalled.
''I...I won't hurt if you just leave the country forever!''
''What're you thinking Chopper?!'' Kureha snapped. ''You can't trust that bastard's word!''
''Yeah, use your head! Like hell he's gonna agree to this!'' Sanji added.
''But...Doctor said...''
Miguel, who had been paying attention to the whole area, acted the second he saw Wapol aiming his cannon and the next thing anyone knew; the ex-king was blown back by a powerful gale.
''Your majesty!''
Chopper reacted in time to recover in mid-air and landed safely, turning to the wizard he spoke ''They're right, people of this sort will never listen. If you want him gone, you have to make sure it happens.''
''I...''
Wapol growled and fired another cannonball, but this one was stopped by Luffy, who used his Gum Gum Balloon to deflect it.
''Hey, Big Mouth!'' The captain jumped near the flag. ''I'm going to keep this flag safe from you jerks no matter what! You guys definitely aren't real pirates! Real ones would know the meaning of a flag, you're just a bunch of fakes and cowards who don't risk their lives!''
''Don't make me laugh, Straw Hat! Theyre meaningless!'' Wapol sneered.
''If you think that, you're dumber than you look!''
Wapol looked outraged but the teen pressed on ''Flags aren't some joke!''
''The only joke is that I've let you live as long I have. Since you dare put that flag back after I knocked it down, I'm delievering the punchline now!'' He fired a fourth cannonball but Luffy stopped it once again.
''What?!''
''I don't know the story behind it either but I don't need to. A pirate flag is something you jerks have no right touching! A pirate flag is someone's pledge to risk their life! It's not something to mock! IT STANDS FOR SOMETHING THAT YOU JACKASSES WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND! It's never breaking, the skull is a symbol of faith!''
Everyone stared on, with the enemies in particular feeling the power behind Luffy's words, leaving them dumfbounded.
Luffy jumped down ''Hey reindeer, I'm going to kick these guys' butts for showing your friend's flag disrespect!''
''Hope you're not expecting me to just sit back and watch, Captain.'' Miguel stated. The teen grinned and gave him a thumbs up.
''We're gonna beat those guys up! You in?'' Luffy inquired.
Wapol spoke before he could answer ''If you like the flag so much I'll just destroy with it!'' he went on, aiming another cannonball but Miguel diverted away with his wind sword.
''Not happening!'' Chopper charged to attack him but his path was blocked by Dio, who he tackled down.
''Would you look at that? That little furball has more courage than a full grown man.'' Kureha smirked.
''I'm sorry, freak. But there is no way you're laying a paw on the king!'' Chessmarimo declared. ''Actually, looking closer at you, you're that yeti the villagers hated, right? They tried to kill you and chased you away.''
Luffy and Miguel were surprised while Sanji frowned, remembering the story as Chopper lowered his head then.
''You poor, pathetic little thing. It must have been so hard, being all alone. You're just a monster who everyone wanted to kill. Someone like you wanting to save this country is the stupidest thing I ever heard!'' Dio sneered.
''Shut up! Even if I don't have friends, I can still fight for something I believe in!'' Chopper retorted. ''As long as that flag flies, I will!''
''Who said you don't have any friends?'' Luffy demanded with a frown.
''Don't listen to that guy. You've got two right here.'' Miguel offered.
Both captain and quartermaster shared a look and grinned as Chopper stared at them in wonder.
''So we'll beat up the big mouth and that clone guy, can you beat him?'' Luffy asked, pointing at Chess.
A determined expression settled on Chopper's face ''Him? No problem!''
''That's the way.'' Miguel glanced at their opponents. ''Looks like we're set then.''
''Yeah!'' The two agreed.
Chessmarimo struck first ''You arrogant fools, I'll protect Wapol-sama!'' He targeted Chopper, who was able to dodge and evade all his moves with ease.
''Rumble.'' Chopper took out a yellow ball and ate it just as Chessmarimo used his sword to create a snow splitting wave. A second later, he shape shifted, his form becoming more lean and big, with stronger legs which he used to jump up high.
Chessmarimo sneered ''You're a zoan like Dalton then? It doesn't matter. You lot all have that three form limit, I know I can win!''
He aimed some flaming arrows and began firing them in rapid succession as Chopper hurried away to avoid them. Sanji's brow furrowed as he looked at Kureha ''Is this really okay?''
''Yeah, just watch. My little reindeer can more than hold his own.''
Chopper's form changed again ''Arm point!'' With his enhanced strength, he punched the ground, raising a mound of snow to stop the remaining arrows cold. Chessmarimo ran in to punch him but Chopper was ready.
''Guard point!''
His new form greatly enhanced his defense, thus letting him get off unscathed. Chessmarimo grunted ''Wait, but that makes four! But how?''
''Wouldn't you like to know?'' Kureha smirked. There was much more to her apprentice than meets the eye. Their enemies certainly were in for a shock if they thought Chopper just had four forms...
Shaking himself, Chessmarimo attacked again, swinging four hammers in tandem. Chopper quickly dodged, waiting for him to charge again before going to Arm point and striking his opponent with enough precision to disarm him. He took advantage of Chessmarimo's shock to change back to Brain Point and analyze him, this let him zero in on a weakness. When Chessmarimo attacked again, Chopper used his Arm point and sidestepped the enemy's sword before striking back, aiming at his jaw.
''Roseo Coronedo!''
Chessmarimo cried out in pain as the hooves his jaw hard, sending him crashing down. In seconds, he was out cold.
''About time you showed what you can really do.'' Kureha stated.
''That was great, Chopper.'' Miguel added.
''Pretty impressive, all right.'' Sanji agreed, making the reindeer grin bashfully at the two pirates.
''By the way, you two, what's wrong with your friend?''
Kureha's question made the three look at Luffy, who was staring at Chopper in awe, his eyes practically shining like stars as he cried out in excitement.
''Let's just say he finds Chopper amazing and leave it at that.'' Sanji said dryly.
Wapol scowled ''Aren't you bastards too relaxed over there?! We're not done yet!''
''...He really is like a cockroach. How did you deal with him for so long?'' Sanji asked Kureha.
''Sadly, we had no choice.'' She replied, sharing his annoyance.
The ex-king glowered at them ''Deal with them, Dio!''
''At once, your majesty!'' The man in question stepped up. ''Don't go getting a big head over one win, it won't change a thing.''
He looked the group over and thought fast, quickly deciding that Miguel was going to be the one most likely to impede him quickly, he singled the wizard out and attacked. In moments, he had many doubles of himself, all armed with weapons.
Much to his dismay, this attack was quickly halted when Miguel countered by using Meteor, knocking away the clones that got in his way while evading others. Dio growled and resorted to using his rifles, apparently having brought a large number of weapons which he kept on Wapol's ride earlier.
Miguel quickly avoided the bullets as he soared, however. He came to a stop soon but just as Dio thought he had him, the former raised an arm and a number of the man's weapons were surrounded in an aura of power that seemed to crush them quickly.
''Wow...he really is strong.'' Chopper muttered. He had initially been worried because of the man's clones but Miguel easily dismantled the issue without much trouble.
Wapol ground his teeth ''What're you doing?! Finish him off!''
''Of course!'' Dio had his clones aim the weapons and fire but Miguel merely used Telekinesis to send the bullets away. The man seized this chance to attack him close up with a large, two handed sword but Miguel met him head on and they clashed.
While it was apparent that he was used to many weapons, Dio seemed intent on throwing a little sneak attacks here and there. Like trying to aim little kicks here and there to trip Miguel up or use the snow to throw him off. Regardless, their fight continued and it was clear that Miguel wasn't about to stop here.
''How does he keep doing that stuff anyway?'' Luffy wondered as they watched Dio create more doubles.
''I think it might be the Double Double Fruit.'' Sanji suggested, recalling the Devil Fruit encyclopedia he had read carefully a while back. ''I don't remember much details but what he's doing now fits with what I heard in general.''
''Even if you know, it won't matter. Take this!'' Dio cried, charging again, only to be surprised when Miguel side stepped his move and stunned him with a blow of his scabbard and then launching a spinning sweep that knocked him off his feet and blew him away with a sudden wind and snow.
''Rising Gale!''
Dio cringed but managed to recover his wits quickly and have two of his doubles launch him back to the ground. He used the momentum he was gaining for another blow, raising his sword then, only for Miguel to knock the weapon away with Wind Burst.
Cursing, Dio reached for his belt, whipping out two daggers which he attacked with next. Like his comrades, he tried using the field of snow for a cover and tried nailing Miguel with some quick strikes via the throwing daggers he kept in store on his person.
Sanji glanced at the big bag the man had been carrying earlier, which he concluded had a bunch of those weapons before ''Man, this guy reminds of Krieg. Another walking armory...''
Since he kept moving as discreetly as he could, this would make sure his opponent would have trouble identifying his location. Dio picked up one of his rifles which happened to land nearby and fired a shot, which Miguel dodged before throwing the weapon itself next. Grabbing some of the knives he had laced with poison, the man smirked.
''It's time you learn your place, wizard punk!''
''Is that so?'' Miguel looked unfazed even when the weapon came at him. He raised his ice sword before stabbing it in the ground. A spell circle flashed, releasing a wave of frost and snow that swept over a portion of the area before him. Dio leapt out and the reason became clear when the effects of the technique became apparent on his shoulder and clothes.
''Wh-why you...'' He didn't have much time to do a thing as Miguel attacked with Tempest Arc next so he quickly stationed a few clones to take the hit for him. The man quickly picked up a couple of daggers and tossed them, feeling satisfied when they hit the mark.
''Try this!'' Dio created more clones than before, some gathering up the weapons he had around before they all charged, attacking in a frenzy.
Miguel activated Meteor and flew around to dodge. Kureha raised an eye, recalling how he fared earlier. It was clear that Dio was hoping to overwhelm the young man with numbers so the idea made sense. It was just that Miguel's flying seemed a little odd and erratic to her, was he getting tired?
Dio attacked once more when Miguel landed ''You really are an idiot, you should've just run when you had the chance.''
''Ark Shield!'' Miguel created the golden barrier from earlier to stop him in his tracks. Then he held up his hands in a position that was familiar to Luffy and Sanji, the latter immediately looking up. Kureha and Chopper did the same, their eyes widening at the sight of the magic circles in the sky.
''I get it, he was setting those up!''
Kureha blinked ''Well, I'll be damned...''
Dio recoiled when he saw what they did, but it was too late.
''Grand Chariot!''
The circles all released beams of magic that rained down, most striking Dio down then. Wapol was forced to dodge the ones that strayed close to him, eventually hiding behind his ride for shelter.
Luffy cheered ''All right, way to go!''
''That was cool!'' Chopper exclaimed.
Miguel smiled at the two before they all looked back as Wapol stomped a foot ''It's true after all...if you want something done, you have to do it yourself.''
''Oh? So you're finally going to try and do something? You sure looked tough while bossing those suck-ups.'' Sanji taunted.
''About time, you really are a coward.'' Luffy added.
Wapol growled ''I'll execute you all for this rebellion!''
''Just try it!'' Luffy retorted. ''I'll take you down!''
Well, let's stop here.
I hope this was good. Sorry, I meant to get this out sooner but things got busy and there's also the fact that I'm still trying to work out the trouble in the Alabsta arc. Anywho, I might as well cut in here and the next time will be the conclusion of the Drum Island arc. Till next time!