Sanji scowled as he kept running through Alubarna's streets. He hadn't run into any of the Frontie agents yet but he found something just as troublesome.
The cook had stumbled across an unconscious soldier from the Royal army. It hadn't taken him long to notice the Baroque Works symbol visible thanks to his damaged armor. Given what they had dealt with near Yuba, it wasn't as much of a surprise as it was worrying. Just how much had Baroque Works infiltrated both armies anyway?
All of this made Sanji wonder what else Crocodile up his sleeve. He really hoped the girls were all right...and maybe the boys too, he supposed. Those fools had better not mess things up. They had to do all they could for Vivi.
The blond stopped in surprise, seeing a familiar figure nearby ''Usopp?''
The sniper turned, perking up ''Oh, Sanji! Good to see you!''
''I thought you said you saw Chopper before-where is he?''
''Oh, don't worry about a thing. He's fine, I just happened to notice you coming so I rushed ahead. We can't let anything stop us here, can we?'' was his response. ''I say let's go!''
''Hmm...'' Something about the sniper's attitude was rubbing Sanji the wrong way. ''...sure, sure. First things first though, we better go with Mosshead's plan.'' Usopp blinked, seeing him tap his right bicep then before pushing his sleeve to remove the bandages tied there.
''Oh...oh, yeah!'' He held up his arm, pausing when Sanji removed the bandages to reveal the X shaped mark on his own arm. The sight of it made him stiffen a little, something Sanji immediately noticed.
''Well, what're you waiting for?''
He blinked ''Ah, don't sweat the small stuff, we're just wasting time now.''
Sanji's eye narrowed ''Is that right...?''
Usopp grinned ''Come on, let's go.''
The blond's response was to kick him hard, sending him flying. Usopp spluttered as he pulled himself up, looking incredulous ''What was that for?!''
''Just cut the crap already.'' Sanji stated. ''We're on to you...Mr. 2.''
After a moment, the man tapped the side of his face, reverting to his usual flamboyant self. ''You knew? Then again those marks took me by surprise...oh, well I don't need the disguise to win!''
And so the battle got underway. Sanji quickly discovered that his opponent was like him in that he employed a fighting style that centered around kicks.
For all his silliness, there was no denying that Bon Clay was certainly strong. Sanji thought as he noted how the agent's kick shattered some rocks nearby.
Well, he definitely wouldn't lose here!
Zeke quickly picked up on Miguel's healing ability ''Well, how about that...? You really are the most resourceful one in your crew. And it's not just because of your magic-I definitely wound up with the right opponent!''
The man attacked once more, swinging his scythe. Miguel blocked it with his sword before quickly grabbing the sheath and ramming him in the gut, leaving him to recoil. Miguel quickly followed this with a Flicker Strike that cut Zeke's shoulder just as the man was about to pull himself up.
Their weapons clashed once again as they attacked, Zeke then spoke ''You're actually tougher than plenty of my opponents, a whole lot of them never even lasted this long. But it ends here!''
''Don't count me out just yet.'' Miguel retorted, defiance clear in his face.
The mercenary smirked, increasing his speed fiftyfold before charging. Miguel was able to block the first few strikes with Ark Shield, only for Zeke to blindside him with a kick and send him flying with the next punch. The former was able to recover his balance before he hit the ground, landing safely then.
Miguel had made a promise to his friends and he had every intention of keeping it. He would do everything he could to prevent Baroque Works running roughshod over this country like the Marines had done to Elysia. He could imagine how terrible Vivi must feel at this turn of events, but that was all the more reason to do all he could to help. Everyone was fighting out there too, he would be sure to do his part.
Since he had a good idea of the scope of Zeke's abilities, Miguel realized he could get around them well enough. He wasn't sure if this would work but it wasn't the time to hesitate...
Zeke boosted his speed again before attacking, only to be surprised when Miguel requipped his water sword before unleashing a big blast of water at him. He was easily able to tear through it with his increased agility, though the strike made him miss. The worst that move did was that the mercenary was drenched but it really didn't make much of a difference to him.
Just as he had been wondering what the point behind that attack was, Miguel almost slammed him down by casting his gravity magic. As Zeke struggled to move, Miguel took up his ice sword and charged it with power.
Zeke began to pull himself up, finally able to since Miguel couldn't the gravity spell going and continue the fight. But it didn't matter for the wizard was ready.
''Blizzard!''
Before the mercenary quite knew it, he was trapped in a fierce blizzard. He tried to dig his feet in and hold on to his weapons for balance but soon he was sent flying.
Tired as he was, Miguel doubted that this was enough to end the battle. As it were, Zeke quickly proved him right.
''D-damn...'' He grunted. ''...color me surprised, but I'm not done yet!''
He increased his speed to a hundred fold once more and aimed his scythe to attack. Certain this would work, the man was shocked when Miguel cast Meteor as he countered with his sword, meeting him head on.
''How did you...?!'' Zeke spluttered, barely noticing Miguel's sword glow for a moment then. Thinking fast, he decided to try again, assuming that to be a fluke. Thus, he was even more shocked when Miguel not only met him head on again. He even managed to freeze a part of his scythe in one shot, blowing him back with a powerful, icy gale.
Zeke felt a chill up his spine, at first he thought it had to do with his partially frozen weapon but the feeling was too strong. It was then that he saw small pieces of ice were forming on his arms and his side. ''Wh-what the...?''
Of course. That water spell and the sudden attacks with the ice sword...
Zeke ground his teeth, realizing he had been played ''You little...I didn't think much of those attacks-how did you even know?!''
''That you'd slow down if you were cold enough? I figured it made sense.'' was Miguel's response. ''Just because I used small attacks doesn't mean they would be any less effective. You're not the only one who tries to make the most of their abilities.''
''Star Destruction!'' He raised his sword, which thrummed with power before Miguel unleashed a spinning slash that drew his opponent close. He followed it up with a vertical slash. Then he quickly rammed him with the sword's sheath in the gut and finally struck again with his sword, a blast shaped like a four pointed star hitting his opponent then.
Zeke was only able to stay up right by leaning heavily on his scythe, cursing ''I c-can't just lose...not now...''
Gathering all his will power, he drew on his devil fruit abilities again for one last attack. Miguel summoned a number of shining swords in retaliation and both clashed, falling at a distance from each other. This was Jiu Lieuxing, a Heavenly Body spell.
Miguel swayed a bit, but in the end it was Zeke who collapsed, having blacked out. The first let out a sigh of relief as the realization that he had won sank in, feeling his lips twitch into a small smile.
He might have felt happier if the situation was any different but it was hard. After all, he knew that their battle wasn't over yet.
Sanji's battle had been going on a similarly good vein. Bon Clay was good but the cook found himself able to deal with him well.
The agent quickly began to transform, hoping it would help. After all he himself wouldn't want to fight someone with the face of a friend so Sanji would likely feel the same.
He wound up regretting the idea after transforming into Luffy as Sanji's response was to kick him into a wall.
The okama pulled himself, gasping ''How could you...? Do you really not care about hurting a friend?''
''Didn't I warn you before? That shit is never going to work on me.'' Sanji retorted.
And that was when Bon Clay realized his mistake. He'd assumed that it was just the X mark that gave him away which lead to the failure of his earlier trick. But perhaps it was just that the transformation never would've fazed his opponent in the first place...
It was at this point that the problem started. For Bon Clay had decided to see if his conclusion about Sanji was correct by transforming into the Straw Hats he had copied before. At first, Sanji remained unfazed but it all changed when the man transformed into Nami.
Sanji looked delighted ''Nami-swan! As beautiful as ever!''
Bon Clay had to pause at that. Surely it couldn't be that easy...?
Just to check, he transformed back into his true self. Sanji's expression became angry once again but he immediately fawned over 'Nami' once more.
''Are you kidding me?'' The agent couldn't help his shock. What was with this guy? Did seeing the girl really reduce him to this?
The transformed Bon Clay punched Sanji then, only to be even more bewildered when the cook didn't so much as react, even when he kept up the offense and kicked him in the chest.
''What the hell?!'' Bon Clay cried out after turning back to normal. Okay it might have made his job easier but he really felt like he had to ask. ''You just stand there while I hit you?!''
''Shut up!'' Sanji glared back. ''I was raised to respect the ladies, I will never strike a lady till the day I die.''
Now that was unexpected, he'd never encountered anyone with such a chivalrous behavior before...
The fight continued at this pace. Bon Clay using his transformation to keep the advantage. Sanji was able to dodge the man's Mascara Boomerang attack, but the projectile reversed directions and Bon Clay distracted his opponent again by turning into Nami, leaving him vulnerable.
He seized the chance to use Prima, the powerful kick slamming Sanji to the ground. Just as the cook was about to counter, he found all his motivation fading as he was once again staring at Nami's face.
She was just so lovely...he could gaze at her all day.
Bon Clay turned back to normal and unleashed his Swan Arabesque attack. Recognizing the move from before, Sanji tried to dodge but he was too close for that to work. The cook pulled himself, growling angrily. He knew, dammit he knew that it was just a transformation but he just couldn't fight back. It still looked like he would hurt a woman and in the end, the notion went against everything in his moral code.
Something was odd about this battle though, something about Bon Clay's behavior...
It looked like the agent transformed back to his real self everytime he had to use a powerful attack. Could it be that...?
He was forced to tank a kick coming from his far left, only to be dazzled by Nami's appearance once more. Bon Clay grinned and turned back before slamming him with a Bombardier attack.
Cringing, Sanji rose to his feet. Those attacks were certainly wearing him down but now his suspicions were confirmed.
Bon Clay couldn't use his Okama Kenpo while transformed.
Sanji hid a smirk, knowing a way he could take advantage of that.
''You know, I just don't get it...'' He started, eliciting his enemy's confusion. ''...sure, I didn't see you before but Luffy and the others said you were confident and pretty proud of yourself.''
''But of course, why would I be?'' Bon Clay returned.
''Sure you are.'' The blond snorted.
''Hey, it's the truth!''
''Well, you sure aren't acting like it. I mean look at this, resorting to some cheap tricks, hiding away and coming out when it's convenient...'' Sanji drawled. ''...it just sounds like something a dirty coward would do.'' Bon Clay was irked but the blond continued. ''Guess what, it's only that trick of yours that helped you so far. That's why I know I can win against a lowlife like you. I don't know why Crocodile bothered giving such a high position to someone so pathetic, have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately? Prepare to get beat, loser.''
It was a bluff, in more ways than one and Sanji knew it. But he could already tell it was working as the agent was getting aggravated, so he decided to keep going. ''Men shouldn't wear make up, it's just damn wrong and disgusting. You look like a complete joke-I feel sorry for you and anyone with such terrible tastes.''
Bon Clay had enough ''That does it! I won't let those words stand. I will show you how a true Okama battles!''
Hook, line and sinker. Sanji thought, watching as his opponent took a stance.
''I'll prove how wrong you are with my next attack.'' The agent launched into a furious spin before unleashing a powerful kick. ''How about this? Memoirs of a Summer Day!''
The blond waited until he knew the time would be right. He dodged just when he could be sure Bon Clay was close enough, then launching a Quasi kick and following it up with Queue. He went into a hand stand to kick Bon Clay repeatedly, using the momentum gained from his previous attacks to keep going.
''Cuisseau!''
The final kick sent the agent flying before he crashed down.
Bon Clay held back a groan, knowing he couldn't fight anymore ''I'm done...and after all I said too...'' He lowered his head. ''...finish me off.''
''Why should I?''
The man looked up in surprise at Sanji's words ''There's no need, we had a good fight and that was that. I'm done here.''
Sanji kept going, missing Bon Clay watching him in awe, his thoughts all centered on the conflict around them and helping Vivi bring a stop to it.
Nami and Zoro were found by Mr. 1 and his partner Miss Doublefinger. Mr. 1 had immediately zoned in on Nami, deeming her the weaker part of the team before attacking. Zoro intervened in time, blocking his path to the navigator.
Nami began to hurry away, knowing that staying here would be a bad idea. She didn't want to give Mr. 1 any chances to keep coming after her. The girl could honestly admit that she doubted she could take the man on and only hoped Zoro would win.
She was able to get away for a short while before Miss Doublefinger caught up to her, smirking all the while. Nami was left unnerved by the prospect of fighting the woman but she knew she wouldn't have a choice.
Thankfully, She was more experienced with the Climatact, the weapon Usopp made for her. Thus she had a better scope of the abilities it granted her. Still, Miss Doublefinger made for quite an adversary. A user of the Spike Spike fruit, she was not only powerful but fast and adept with her devil fruit powers.
Miss Doublefinger managed to stab her through the shoulder. Nami cringed, gasping in pain as she slumped. Her thoughts quickly went to Vivi and she knew that this pain was nothing compared to what the princess had to deal with.
Nami understood how it was like after all, wanting to change things but being absolutely helpless to do so...it was a terrible feeling. She was reminded of her own situation back at Cocoyashi, when she realized Arlong betrayed her and the villagers were marching to their deaths. If Luffy and the others hadn't been there...she didn't even want to think of it.
This line of thought motivated her to keep going. She would not, under any circumstances, fail the princess or her crewmates here.
Thinking fast, she threw one of the water she had been given earlier. It released a big burst of water that caught Miss Doublefinger off guard, almost throwing her down. As she tried to regain her balance, it was to have one of her spikes stick through a stone wall, trapping her. Cursing, the woman tried to pull herself but Nami was already moving, utilizing one of new abilities...
''Double Stinger!'' Miss Doublefinger charged at Nami, only to be surprised when the girl vanished, almost as if she had hit a mirage. ''What the-?!''
The woman looked around, noticing a few strange red balls nearby before trying to follow them to the source, finding Nami running ahead. The girl stiffened upon seeing that agent was after her but she kept going. Her opponent used Double Stinger again, forcing the alarmed navigator to duck, which result in her spikes getting stuck in stone again.
Nami decided to use this to her advantage ''Thunder Tempo!''
A boxing glove flew out, hitting Miss Doublefinger in the face. She grunted, lowering her head then ''Stinger Hedgehog!''
Numerous spikes formed in an instant, from Miss Double Finger's hair, clothes and even nails. Now free, Miss Doublefinger rushed at Nami, who blanched at the sight of the spike ball coming at her before rolling to get out of the way. Regardless, Miss Doublefinger kept up the attack, merely shifting her direction to go after the girl. Nami quickened her pace, wondering what to do as she didn't know how long she could keep on running.
She happened to spot a particularly high stone slab leaning over another, which gave her an idea.
''It's no use!'' Miss Doublefinger taunted as the girl kept going, but Nami ignored her and headed towards the slab.
She stepped aside in the last second, leaving the female agent to roll over the edge to fall to the lower area. Stunned, the woman regained her balance in time, maneuvering in mid-air so she could land safely on the building opposite Nami.
She harrumphed ''You're good at running away if nothing else. But you'd be an idiot to continue fighting, just give up and accept your death.''
Nami glared at her ''As if! Don't talk like you already won!''
Miss Doublefinger rolled her eyes, jumping at her with a spike at the ready. But Nami surprised her by using the second lacrima to unleash another blast of water which blocked her vision. The woman went into a spin to try stave the worst of it before it knocked her back. When she could see again, Nami was gone.
Moments later, the girl appeared on her far left. Scowling, Miss Doublefinger ran towards her and attacked, only for Nami to disappear once again. ''What did you do?!''
Nami used the Climatact's abilities to create mirages, combining concentrations of hot and warm air to confuse the agent.
And indeed, it seemed to work as a frustrated Miss Doublefinger destroyed more of her mirages, her temper growing worse. ''Quit stallling!''
But this wasn't stalling, Nami knew just what to do here. It was time to employ one of the Climatact's best abilities.
She held up one of staff's pieces and it sent out of a number of blue spheres, another part sent out more red ones. Miss Doublefinger frowned ''More little tricks, you weakling?''
Nami glared at her ''It's true that you're stronger than me...'' She stopped to roll away from the woman's oncoming attack. ''...but that doesn't matter! I won't back down now!''
She waved the third piece of her staff, which released some yellow spheres. Miss Doublefinger was still underestimating Nami, which worked well for the girl. She didn't know it but the navigator's attack had already begun. The blue cool balls and the red heat balls were what affected the air around them to enable Nami's true goal. They along with the yellow thunderballs were the keys to making this all work.
Nami subtly glanced at the thundercloud forming above the Baroque Works agent, which absorbed the heat and cool balls, growing bigger as a result. Nami swiftly put her staff together and ''Thunderbolt Tempo!''
A powerful lightning bolt surged from the cloud, blasting Miss Doublefinger at full force. Moments later, the agent fell down, having taken a lot of damage.
Nami let out a sigh of relief, glad to see that she had nailed the technique. Said feeling was short lived though as her adversary began to pull herself up, looking livid.
''You...little...brat...!'' She snarled, making Nami freeze in shock. How could she still keep going?!
On closer inspection, it look like every bit of moment was hard on her but the woman was apparently that determined to keep up the fight. Quickly slamming Nami to a wall, she smirked nastily ''Hmph, this was just a fluke. A weakling like you with such a pathetic weapon couldn't make much of a difference. Not when it really counts. I've had enough of this farce, Sea Urchin Stinger!''
The agent's next attack turned all her hair into spikes before she charged. Faced with such a situation, Nami did the only she could think of.
She stopped the attack by blocking it with her left foot, holding back a scream of pain as one of the spikes pierced her foot. She refused to let Miss Doublefinger have the satisfaction. It hurt, hurt a lot but Nami knew that this pain did not compare to what Vivi was going through due to the deplorable state of her country. Besides, she wasn't done yet.
Before her attacker could keep going, Nami leveled her staff, having gotten an idea.
''Cyclone Tempo!''
The toy birds shot up, trapping Miss Doublefinger in seconds before the rest of the attack sent her flying. This time she was truly down and out, signifying Nami as the winner.
Nami couldn't help the feeling of elation rising up within her. She had really fought for her friends all on her own and won. This was her first true victory as a member of the Straw Hat Pirates. ''All right!''
To say Pell was confused would be an understatement.
He had been able to find Luffy with the unexpected help of Miss All Sunday. Apparently the boy had lost to Crocodile and for some reason she had decided to help him. They were enemies but she sure didn't act like it.
Pell figured Vivi was right about that woman, you really never know what to expect with her.
Shaking the thoughts off, he went on to tend to Luffy. As if things weren't strange enough, the first thing the boy did was demand meat.
Who does that anyway? Someone with such terrible injuries and the first he does is ask for meat?
Once they were both set, Pell used his falcon form to fly towards Alubarna with Luffy on his back.
''Oh, so that's what happened...'' Luffy trailed off when the man told him a little about what was going on in the capital.
''At least as far as I know. I believe your crew is battling with Baroque Works as we speak.'' Pell added.
''It's going to be fine-those guys can't handle 'em anyway. My crew's as tough as nails.''
Pell couldn't help but smile a bit at the complete faith he discerned in that statement. ''Well...''
He was about to go on but at then something golden not too far away caught his eye ''Hm?''
''What's up, bird-guy?'' Luffy inquired.
''That.'' He pointed at the golden glow, which seemed to be in the same direction they were taking. ''What could it be?''
Luffy perked up, immediately figuring it out ''Oi, Miguel!''
Pell blinked but the captain kept trying to call out for couple of more times before the source of the light came closer, revealing the quartermaster. ''Ah...another of your friends then?''
''Yup!'' He grinned as Miguel joined them. ''Hey, you beat that super fast guy, right?''
Miguel raised an eye ''Yeah, but what're you doing here? I thought...''
The two quickly filled him in, leaving him alarmed and more than a little worried. ''You actually...?'' Miguel sighed, it wasn't the time to worry about what was in the past. ''Why am I even surprised...? Anyway, you mind if I ride with you two. I can see about healing Luffy then.'' While he wouldn't have much problems flying to Alubarna, there was no way he could keep up two spells at once.
''Of course.'' Pell felt a measure of relief at this. ''You can do healing magic? That'd be excellent.'' He added, moving so the young man could land on his back.
''But I feel fine...'' Luffy started.
''Let's not take any chances, okay? We're going straight into a war zone. Just give me a few minutes.'' Miguel returned.
The rubber teen nodded back and sat to let the wizard examine him before he really got to work. In a minute, his hands glowed with the healing magic as he got to work.
Luffy relaxed, enjoying how nice it felt ''Everything will be fine, bird-guy. We promised Vivi to help her country and that's what we'll do. Right?'' He added, looking at Miguel.
The latter nodded ''Right. We've come this far, let's see this to the end.''
Pell began to smile ''Thanks, I'll be counting on you.''
All right, let's stop here.
Well, I wasn't sure how to handle Miguel's fight but in the end I figured this approach would work. That More More fruit was more tricky to deal with than I thought. I guess I sort of wound winging it in the end. Anywho, the next chapter starts right around this point, with Zoro's fight taking place the same time as Nami's.
Thanks for reading and I hope you keep it up. Till next time!