Chapter 24

Kataka let her hair cover her face again as she sat her back against her giant stone chair. She chuckled.

"It's been so long since you last visited, Psycho-sama. What brings you all the way out here?" Kataka asked.

"It's actually not that far of a journey to get here anymore. Cyclone and I took control of Marineford, it's our base of operations now." Psycho explained.

Kataka giggled.

"Oh yes… I did hear one of my children talking about that. How did it feel? Was it better than last time?" Kataka asked.

Psycho smiled.

"It felt much better this time to just wipe the place clean. Those rotten navy officers don't deserve to breathe the air of the new world I have in mind." Psycho said.

Kataka giggled.

"Glad to see your goals haven't changed, Psycho-sama… it's been a very long time since we first met, you're the only one I trust to get the job done." Kataka said happily.

"Of course, my goals haven't changed. If anything, … I've tried even harder to see through to them ever since… she died." Psycho clenched his fist at the word "she."

Kataka leaned forward.

"But that's exactly what I came to talk to you about." Psycho said.

Kataka leaned forward a little.

"Do you still… have them?" Psycho asked softly.

Kataka reached over and grabbed her scythe.

"It will only take a moment to check." Kataka said softly.

Kataka tapped her scythe butt on the ground and three glass coffins came up from the ground. Psycho watched carefully as the glass coffins finally stopped rising.

The doors on the coffins stayed shut, as the coffins were glass, he could see through them. Three bodies that were kept in decent condition were inside the coffins.

The bodies had cracks on them in different areas but were taken care of far better than the other people in Kataka's collection.

"Here they are. As promised I took good care of them… my abilities can also keep bodies carefully preserved no matter how long they've died. He is a good example of that. The very first person you ever brought to me." Kataka explained.

Psycho stared at the bodies, closed his eyes tightly to fight back his emotions, and opened them again, back to his calm demeanor.

"Open them." Psycho said.

Kataka looked down towards the coffins.

"As you wish, Psycho-sama." Kataka said, tapping her scythe butt on the ground once more.

The glass coffin doors hit the ground with a thud. Psycho walked over to the preserved bodies in the coffins. Two men and and one woman rest in their respective coffins. Psycho looked down and began to shake, he put his hand on his face.

Kataka stared at Psycho through her hair covered face.

"Even after all this time… it pains you to see them like this… doesn't it?" Kataka asked softly.

Tears fell down Psycho's face and through his glove covered hands heavily. He clenched his teeth together as hard as he could but couldn't hide his sorrow.

"You have to remember, that this is for the good of the world… once you're done with your job I already promised you could have them back so they can rest in peace." Kataka reassured.

Psycho breathed in and out to calm himself. Once he was calm he looked back up at Kataka.

"I know. It's for the good of the world. I should be used to this." Psycho said, walking up to the boy's body.

Psycho ran his hands through the boy's white hair. He stopped and spoke while his hand was still on the boy's head.

"I'm taking them with me." Psycho said.

Kataka sat up.

"Kuro and Arlong have Arlong park 2.0 covered. I need three more generals to guard DEATH HQ." Psycho said.

Kataka leaned back in her chair. She laughed her childish laugh until it grew to sound almost demonic.

"Give me that man who followed you here and they're all yours…" Kataka said, back in her child voice.

Psycho looked back and saw Sabo running into the darkness.

"Shit! How long did she know?! I need to get out of here now! It's just a straight run right? I should be able to escape!" Sabo thought to himself as he ran as fast as he could.

A sound of something stretching caught his ear. When Sabo looked back, Psycho's glove covered arm stretched out to grab him. Psycho pulled Sabo back into the room with Kataka.

"You?" Psycho asked, "I told you all that snooping around would get you killed." Psycho said.

Sabo looked up and smiled.

"I ain't dead yet!" Sabo said.

"Yet." A voice said.

Sabo looked up at Kataka, who was staring down at him with her hair covered face.

She reached into her hair and when she pulled it out, her mask was in her grasp. She pulled her hair back and showed Sabo her face.

Sabo tried to close his eyes but Psycho grabbed Sabo from behind and choked him with his left arm and used his right hand to force Sabo's eyes open.

When Sabo got a look at her face, he gasped with fear.

"What the hell are you?!" Sabo yelled with fear.

Kataka slowly rose from her chair and lunged at Sabo.

MARINEFORD

Cyclone and DEATH members were cleaning up the island for Psycho's return.

"Everything has to be spotless. I want every single body out of this building and off this island. Buildings need to be repaired or replaced, along with anything damaged in this tower!" Cyclone ordered.

"YES SIR! Cyclone-san!" DEATH members yelled in unison.

Cyclone looked around.

"Maybe even throw a coat of paint here and there… and erase that word "navy" off the front of the fortress." Cyclone thought to himself.

Footsteps sounded in the throne room, getting Cyclone's attention.

"Hm? Psycho are you back already?" Cyclone asked.

A square nosed man dressed in a backwards black hat, black hoodless jacket, black pants and shoes stepped towards Cyclone.

"My my. What have we here? Is this the legendary Cyclone I'm looking at?" The man asked.

Cyclone smiled.

"You do understand it's rude to walk in and talk to someone without introducing yourself right? CP9 Kaku." Cyclone said.

Kaku was taken a little by surprise.

"So. You know me already?" Kaku asked.

"How could I not?" Cyclone asked, sitting on the steps leading to the throne, "Cipher Pol. 9… an assassination group for the World Government. Your no small fry, well to the average man." Cyclone said.

Kaku laughed.

"I'll take that as a compliment coming from you!" Kaku said.

Cyclone stared at the man.

"Come here to capture me? Psycho? Or report the casualties to your government bosses? Haha HA HA HA HA! No need for that. I can tell you right now that there's not one navy officer or family member of said navy officer alive on this island. 9 million is the confirmed kill count." Cyclone explained.

Kaku crossed his arms and smiled.

"Well I was definitely here for an evaluation. But not on behalf of the World Government." Kaku said.

Cyclone looked up at Kaku from across the room.

"I came here on behalf of myself. To see if DEATH's notorious leaders were really the big cheese they make themselves out to be." Kaku said with a smile.

Cyclone stared at the man and smiled sinisterly.

"You know a lot of people don't believe what happened here at Marineford, just like all those years ago. Tore "Psycho" Uchiha and "Shogun" Cyclone. Worth 400,000,000 Beri a piece before the massacre and a staggering 5,000,000,000 Beri after." Kaku said.

Cyclone was impressed.

"You've made your point young man. You know a lot about DEATH huh? You found out that we were behind both massacres here at Marineford Island and that Psycho and I were the leaders from the get-go, we could've just been lackies." Cyclone said.

"AH ha ha ha ha! If you two did all this and were just lackies then I'd hate to see who the real leader is!" Kaku said.

Cyclone chuckled.

"You have a point. Enough of the talk though since we're busy cleaning this place up before Psycho gets back. What do you even want?" Cyclone asked.

Kaku looked down, arms still crossed, and looked back up at Cyclone with a dark smile.

"I want to join your organization. I'm ready to be tested however you see fit!" Kaku said confidently.

SAKURA KINGDOM VILLAGE

Sanji and Nami had just gotten done getting something to eat and were walking through the carnival village of Sakura Kingdom. Sanji held Nami close as they walked.

"I can't believe this. I'm really walking with Nami-san like this! I never thought in a million years she'd grow to like a perv like me- ehh a gentleman who cares for the ladies!" Sanji thought to himself.

"Sanji-kun?" Nami asked, looking up at him.

Sanji's thoughts were interrupted.

"Oh- yes? Nami-san?" Sanji asked.

Nami looked straight again.

"Luffy… is he going to be okay?" Nami asked.

Sanji kept looking forward.

"Yeah. He'll be fine. With this Psycho guy taking over the same place Ace died, it's only natural for Luffy to react this way." Sanji explained, "But there's one thing he didn't account for."

Nami looked up.

"What's that?"

Sanji looked down at her and smiled.

"We weren't there to help last time, but this time… we'll be with him every step of the way!"

Nami smiled and snuggled against Sanji closer.

"NAMI-SANNNNNN!" Sanji screamed to himself.

Sanji separated from Nami and stood in front of her.

"Thinking of it Nami-san… there's something I want to give you." Sanji said.

Nami stared with confusion. Sanji pulled out a small golden ball and smiled.

"What is that? It's just a piece of gold. Unless… that piece of gold is worth millions of Beri?!" Nami smiled with Beri symbol eyes.

Sanji groaned.

"No no Nami-san! Here push both ends of it." Sanji said.

Nami grabbed the golden ball and pressed both ends. It expanded into a giant staff.

"I can barley carry this! Where'd you get this Sanji-kun?" Nami asked.

"I found it in the wreckage of that DEATH boat the old man ninja destroyed. I think it was that thunder god guy's staff." Sanji explained.

Nami smiled, blushed, and ran to hug Sanji.

"Thank you so much, Sanji-kun." Nami said.

"It's no problem. Nami-chan." Sanji said.

Nami stopped hugging and stared into Sanji's eyes lovingly and moved in to kiss him. Sanji blushed and moved his head in to kiss Nami back. The two shared a loving kiss in the middle of the village, pulling each other in closer.

SAKURA KINGDOM MOUNTAIN BASE

Luffy continued to stare at the crying Hancock.

"Luffy... do you see where I'm coming from? It's the summit war all over again… I don't want what happened to Ace to happen to you.." Hancock explained through tears.

Luffy clenched his teeth and muscled Hancock off the top of him.

"Why…. Why do you care so much about me!" Luffy yelled.

Hancock stared with shock.

"Because we're friends!" Hancock yelled back.

This time Luffy straightened up.

"Isn't that what you always say, Luffy?" Hancock asked softly.

"Fr… friends?" Luffy asked, "But you said you loved me."

Hancock looked down.

"I do. And I always will I don't care what you say! But if you want to just be friends then I'm not going to fight that… just please listen to me for once with this!" Hancock pleaded, "If you go to Marineford now, especially with no help, you'll be ripped to shreds! I've seen what Cyclone and Psycho do to people!" Hancock explained.

Luffy pulled down his straw hat.

"I'm not telling you not to go… but at least bring us! You don't have to carry Ace's death on your shoulders anymore… you have a new brother now!" Hancock yelled.

Luffy shot up and looked at Hancock.

"Do you understand? You didn't meet that man by accident. Those are all great people you've stumbled upon! They're here to help you! Along with me and your crew! Please! Don't fight alone anymore!" Hancock begged.

Footsteps stopped the exchange. Hancock looked up and Luffy looked back. Naruto and Kakashi stood, having watched the whole scene take place, Naruto walked over to Luffy and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I've lost people close to me too, Luffy." Naruto started, "My mom, dad, sensei… those are just three. I understand you lost your brother… trust me I know the pain. But being angry and fighting alone won't help you. If it's me dying you're worried about… then…" Naruto stopped and Luffy turned to face him. Naruto smiled his famous smile.

"I'm not gonna die until I feel like it!" Naruto said, thumbs up.

Luffy ran forward and hugged Naruto, who hugged back. Kakashi walked over to help Hancock to her feet. Hancock stared at the two men and tears formed.

"Luffy…" Hancock said, hand over her mouth.

As Luffy and Naruto embraced, Luffy let everything out for the first time since Ace's death two years ago.

ALABASTA PORT

"Are you sure you'll be okay alone? I can have soldiers travel with you! I mean it is night and everything." Vivi asked.

"No no! It's okay, I'll be fine. Thank you very much." A woman said with a soft smile.

"Last I remember they went to the Drum Kingdom to take care of their sick friend. He's probably better by now, but that's a good place to start for a lead!" Vivi instructed.

"Thank you very much again princess." The woman said softly.

Vivi waived as the woman's guide boat sailed off into the night. The woman looked up at the starry sky and smiled.

"Please be safe… Naruto-kun." The woman said softly.

MARINEFORD

Cyclone stared at the square nosed man with a smile.

"Ready to be tested however you say?" Cyclone asked.

Kaku smiled.

"I've spent the past two years training my body to the peak physical conditions! I also studied your techniques to give me an edge." Kaku explained.

Cyclone laughed.

"I've got a bunch of tricks up my sleeve I'm positive you don't know about. But, because I'm bored, I'll humor you." Cyclone said.

Kaku continued to smile.

"If you can last fifteen minutes with me in a fight to the death, you can join. Deal?" Cyclone said.

Kaku laughed this time.

"I'm insulted you want to take it easy on me Cyclone-san! How about we make it an hour? If I die before the hour is up the I lose!" Kaku said.

"OBVIOUSLY!" Cyclone yelled, "But… very well." Cyclone smiled and grabbed his sword.

KATAKA'S LAIR

Psycho rolled up three scrolls and placed them on his belt. The now empty glass coffins slid back into the ground, ready for the next souls to occupy them.

"Well I guess I'll be on my way." Psycho said.

Kataka sat in her seat.

"Be safe, Psycho-sama." Kataka said with a giggle.

Psycho looked back.

"I will be." Psycho said, "Keep a good eye on Kataka for me, Sabo."

Psycho chuckled as he walked out of the lair.

Kataka, now alone again, stood up and turned to look at her collection wall. Sabo lay inside the glass coffin on the wall with his eyes closed.

"Now you're mine forever… I hope you're not afraid of the dark! Heh heh heh!" Kataka said as she left the room.

Sabo laid in the glass coffin until he poofed away, a log replacing him.

ARLONG PARK 2.0

Arlong and Kuro sat in their respective seats and looked over towards Eneru's seat.

"Eneru's been gone a long time…" Arlong said.

"He died." Kuro said bluntly.

Arlong's eyes widened.

"Even with the training we received from Psycho and Cyclone?! Those punks still beat him?!" Arlong said angrily.

"It appears to be that way. Eneru was just a punk anyway. He didn't understand the training we went through. I almost bet he got carried away with those devil fruit abilities of his." Kuro said.

Arlong laughed.

"AHHH HA HA HA HA HA! You may just be right! I never understood devil fruit users anyway… are those powers really that important?" Arlong asked with a questioning face.

Kuro sat back.

"To some. Yes. They can't fight without it. They become the devil fruit, using it to get them out of sticky situations instead of just using their brain." Kuro explained.

"I'm surprised a smart man like you haven't eaten one. Your brains and a devil fruit? Surely you'd be unbeatable!" Arlong said.

Kuro pushed up his glasses.

"I don't need to. My brains are enough. And with this monster training I've received… they won't do to me what they did to that idiot." Kuro spat.

Arlong sat back and looked up towards the sky until a noise captured his and Kuro's attention.

"HEY! YOU BITCH! YOU CAN'T GO IN THERE!" A DEATH member yelled.

Nico Robin ran into Arlong Park panting and sweating. Arlong smiled and Kuro stared at her out the corners of his eyes.

"What brings you here? Nico Robin." Arlong asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" Kuro said.

Arlong looked at Kuro.

"You're here about Psycho's offer aren't you? He's not here." Kuro said.

"I… I know! He's at Marineford, but that's halfway down the Grand Line! I can't make it in a day… I was hoping one of you could give me a lift." Robin explained.

"AHHHHHHHHH HA HA HA HA HA HA! You've got a lot of guts asking us for help!" Arlong screeched.

Robin stared at Arlong angrily.

"So you won't help me? Psycho told me to come get him when I had an answer! What am I supposed to do?" Robin asked.

"AHHHH HA HA HA! Looks like you're out of luck woman! Maybe next time you'll think twice before you atta-."

"Let's go." Kuro said, now behind Robin.

Robin gasped.

"He's… so fast! I looked at him and Arlong the whole time, when did he get up?" Robin asked herself.

"NOW!" Kuro yelled.

Robin flinched and turned around.

"Oi. Kuro. What are you helping her for? She helped fight with the others!" Arlong said.

"This woman is precious cargo to Psycho you buffoon. Did you forget what he said after she left?" Kuro asked.

Arlong stared at Kuro.

FLASHBACK

"Nico Robin will be back. And when she does come back, if I'm not here, help her get to me. She's precious to me." Psycho ordered.

END OF FLASHBACK

"I'm… precious cargo?" Robin asked.

Kuro looked back with annoyance.

"Maybe he just said that so we wouldn't hurt you. Now, get moving before I change my mind." Kuro said.

Robin tensed up and followed Kuro.

NEW WORLD MARINEFORD

A tall man in a red suit and navy jacket and a cigar slammed a WANTED poster and newspaper down on the table.

"MARINEFORD ATTACKED AGAIN? 100,000 PEOPLE?! IF THAT MAN IS TRULY THE ONE RESPONSIBLE THEN I'LL BE THE ONE TO KILL HIM. HE'LL PAY FOR WHAT HE DID ALL THOSE YEARS AGO AS WELL! I'M INITIATING A BUSTER CALL ON MARINEFORD ISLAND! ANY WAR SHIPS AND VICE ADMIRALS STILL ALIVE ON THE SEAS ARE TO GO THERE AND ONCE AND BLOW THAT ISLAND TO HELL!" The fleet admiral said.

The soldier in the room saluted.

"Yes! Fleet Admiral Akainu!" The soldier said as he left.

"And I'll be joining them… Psycho Uchiha… we've got unfinished business!" Akainu said, slamming his fist on Psycho's WANTED poster and melting it."

DARK UNFAMILIAR WATERS

"Ze ha ha ha. 100,000 people killed in four hours? Marineford Island taken over? Suspected to be the same person who attacked 60 years ago? Looks like we've got a big fight on our hands! I'll capture whoever did this and cement myself as the strongest pirate to ever live! Ze ha ha HA HA HA HA!" Teach laughed merrily.