Attack of the Fishmen?!
The island of loomed ahead, its dark and twisted trees casting eerie shadows on the ground. The dense jungle that covered the island was lush and teeming with life, as vibrant colors burst from the flowers that adorned the trees, their intoxicating scent carried by the sea breeze. Along the island's coast, golden sands gave way to craggy cliffs that towered over the water, carving out coves and secret inlets below. The ocean waves crashed relentlessly against the rocks, an eternal dance of water and stone. At the heart of the island, hidden within the depths of the jungle, lay the infamous Arlong Park - a place of dread and whispers among the seafarers of the Grand Line.
As the boat approached the island, Zoro leaned against the ship's railing, his eyes fixed on the ominous landscape ahead. Bandages covered his body, a testament to the fierce battle with Dracule Hawk Eyes Mihawk. Yamato stood beside him, her eyes bright with excitement at the thought of setting foot on a new island, her heart pounding with anticipation. She was a picture of determination and courage, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
Behind the two warriors, Usopp and Johnny cowered behind the ship's railing, fear and uncertainty gnawing at their resolve. Their eyes darted nervously between the approaching island and their more experienced companions, seeking reassurance that they were prepared for what awaited them.
"W-we're finally here." said Johnny, the fear in his voice palpable. "The real problem is from here, first, we need to find where Nami docked the ship."
Zoro nodded his head and began to unsheathe his sword. "Right, and then we cut our way in."
"And then we find the money she took and make our way back to the Baratie." added Yamato, grinning with her mace over her shoulder. "I'm ready!"
Usopp and Johnny were less than pleased at the carelessness of Zoro and Yamato. They both shouted in unison, "Are you two crazy?!" Their eyes wide and practically shooting out from their skulls.
"You guys don't understand." Johnny tried to explain. "This isn't some place where you guys can just charge in! This is a dangerous place! Very dangerous!"
"Plus we don't even have the slightest idea of what's going on!" added Usopp, his irritation and panicked state still palpable.
Zoro was unconvinced. "I don't see why we just don't go in there and cut anything that gets in our way down." He said with a shrug. "We're just wasting time here."
Yamato looked at Zoro and then nodded in agreement. "I agree. Nami-san could sell off me and my best friend's loot by then! We should go now! And beat down anyone who tries to block us from our goal!"
It was not only the goal of retrieving the stolen money that made Yamato want to burst forth onto the island. The thought of exploring a place unknown to her made her blood pump. She could not help but smile happily as she stared at the approaching destination, a jubilant giggle escaping her lips as her orange eyes sparkled.
Usopp and Johnny could see the excited look in her eyes. They glanced at each other and both knew that they had to stop her before she did anything that would bring attention to them. The last thing they wanted was the less than friendly inhabitants of the island to spot and attack them. Though, stopping Yamato due to her size and strength would be difficult, Usopp quickly came up with an idea.
"Y-yeah! You know what? I agree with Yamato!" laughed Usopp, nodding his head vigorously. "We should go in as quickly as we can!"
Johnny snapped his head over to Usopp with a betrayed look. "Brother Usopp! Not you too!"
Usopp brought his finger up and hushed Johnny before he continued. "In fact! Yamato! You should wait inside the cabin! You can be our ace in the hole! We wouldn't want anyone to spot you just yet!" He explained with a sheepish smile. "But when you do, they'll run away! We'll call you outside as soon as we dock!"
Johnny's eyes widened as he quickly caught onto Usopp's intentions and nodded his head in agreement. "Y-yeah! That sounds like a good plan."
Yamato, oblivious to Usopp's plan, smiled widely. "Great idea, Usopp-san! They'll never see me coming! Just yell my name as soon as you need me!" She said excitedly, rushing toward the cabin.
Johnny tried to call out to her, "Just make sure you lower your head before going on—"
Before he could finish his warning, Yamato's head collided with the top of the door, her horns splintering the wood of the cabin. A loud yelp escaped her lips as she rubbed her head. The wood above the cabin door was even more damaged due to it being the third time Yamato forgetting about her height.
"This is the 3rd time, sister Yamato!" Johnny shouted. "You're damaging the ship!"
Yamato laughed and rubbed the back of her head. "Apologies, Johnny-san!" She said with an apologetic look before lowering her head and sauntering into the cabin, and then closing the door behind her.
Zoro shook his head. "She really didn't understand that you were tricking her?" He asked and then shrugged. "You couldn't catch me falling for a lie like that. Now, where's the nearest place that we can dock?" He continued, his hand gripped readily on his sword.
Johnny and Usopp looked at each other. They both knew now that they'd have to take desperate measures.
※
"Hey! There it is!" exclaimed Usopp, gazing out and spotting the ship through a pair of binoculars that he was using. "It's the Going Merry! She's docked over there!"
Johnny gazed at the ship in confusion and looked down at the paper map in his hand. "Huh…that's certainly a weird place to dock. It's a little off from the 'Cocoyashi village' marked on the map."
While the two gazed down at the map, behind them was a less than pleased Zoro who had been tied to the door of the ship's cabin. Usopp and Johnny had to stop him from charging in somehow. Thanks to the injuries Zoro had received from his duel with Dracule Mihawk, it was less difficult to subdue him.
"What's the meaning of this?!" snapped Zoro, trying to break free of the ropes. "Untie me now! Hey! Are you listening!?"
"Now now Zoro just relax!" Usopp smiled sheepishly, patting Zoro. "You almost died from your wounds, remember? We can't have you charging in and worsening your injuries right? "
"Bastard…" Zoro grumbled, gritting his teeth as the pain from his wounds flared slightly from Usopp's pats of 'reassurance'.
"Zoro-San sounds more angry than usual!" called Yamato from inside the cabin. "Is it time to come out yet, Usopp-san?"
"Eeep! N-not yet, Yamato! It's almost time!" Usopp called back with a nervous smile.
The ship maintained its course at a leisurely pace. The group navigated around the island, steering clear of the tall and foreboding tower they had first encountered upon arrival. Instead, they inched closer to a less imposing area of the island.
As they progressed, Cocoyashi Island unveiled its picturesque beauty. The lush, verdant landscape featured swaying palm trees and vibrant, exotic plants. Gentle waves lapped at the pristine, white-sand beaches, while the dazzling sunlight reflected off the azure sea, creating an idyllic atmosphere.
In due course, the ship approached a simple wooden dock that jutted out into the calm waters. The structure seemed to welcome them, offering a safe and convenient place for the group to disembark and begin their exploration of this captivating island.
"Alright! Starboard to Going Merry! Bring me up right next to her!" yelled Usopp, smiling confidently in contrast to the fear he showed beforehand. "The adventure of the 'Great Warrior Usopp' is about to begin! This will mark the tale of a great journey! Fitting title, right Johnny boy?!"
"Aye-aye." replied Johnny in a mumbled tone as he kept his eye on the Going Merry, maintaining the boat's course.
As the boat glided through the water, it passed by a wooden dock that extended from the sandy beach of the island. As Johnny steered, he suddenly spotted multiple figures standing on the dock. As they drew closer, it became apparent that these figures were not human. Their gills and fins told a different story.
They were fishmen.
These fishmen bore a striking resemblance to the creatures of the deep sea. They possessed scaly skin, sharp teeth, webbed hands, and an assortment of fins on their bodies. Each fishman appeared to have unique traits, resembling various aquatic species such as sharks, rays, and eels, which lent them a menacing and intimidating air.
As the boat continued its approach, the fishmen noticed Johnny and Usopp, fixing their intense gazes on the two as they drifted by. In a fearful tone, both Johnny and Usopp uttered the word, "fishmen."
Wanting to put some distance between them and the fishmen, Usopp quickly yelled, "Full speed ahead!" He tried to act nonchalant as he increased the boat's speed, aiming to move past the fishmen without drawing any further attention. The boat moved past the dock, and in turn, past the the Going Merry which was their intended target.
"The hell are you just passing by for?!!" Zoro suddenly snapped, his anger even more palpable as the ship moved further away from the Going Merry.
"Hush! Didn't you see them?! There were fishmen! The Arlong Pirates for crying out loud!" Usopp snapped back, more in a panicked tone than an angry one. "I'm freakin scared out of my wits! You got a problem with that?! Do ya punk?!"
Zoro was taken back by Usopp's fearful and angry outburst. "The one who should be mad is me you know!"
Yamato, who could hear the yelling from inside the cabin, suddenly perked up. "What?! Did you say fishmen?! And did you say pirates?! I'm coming out now!"
"No! Yamato! Stay inside! You'll draw attention to us!" Usopp yelled back, waving his hands. "Zoro! Keep the door closed!"
Zoro shouted angrily at him, "As if I could do that in my position!" He said, as he was still tied to the door.
"Errrr…brother Usopp?" said Johnny, his eyes widening in terror behind his black sunglasses.
Usopp looked at him and then followed his gaze, which led back to the wooden deck that they had just passed. The fishmen that had watched them drift by were in hot prusuit, swimming in the water and toward the ship like group of hungry sharks. Usopp screamed as they had begun to close in.
"Abandon ship!" yelled Usopp, leaping overboard and into the water.
Johnny did not hesitate to follow suit. He leapt into the water, escaping the boat as the fishmen were drawing nearer. Zoro, who was still tied firmly against the cabin door, took a few seconds to register in his mind the current situation that he was in.
"H-hey! Wait a sec!" Zoro yelled out to them. "At least untie me before you run away!"
His words fell upon deaf ears as Usopp and Johnny continued to swim away in terror. Suddenly, numerous fishmen leaped from the water and onto the boat. Their bodies dropped with the ocean liquid, and each of them wore human clothing which may have been quite odd.
"Heh heh, looks like we finally caught up to ya." chuckled one of the fishmen with blue gills and sharp teeth.
Another fishmen who had pink gills and fish lips looked around the deck in confusion. "Huh? There's only one guy on board."
A third fishmen of the large group examine Zoro closely. "One guy? Were ya exiled or somethin?" He asked half mockingly.
"Who cares?" said a fourth fishmen. "Let's take him to Arlong for the time being. We can take whatever else they have on this boat—"
The fishsman's words were interrupted by the sound of loud banging from behind the door Zoro had been tied to. The fishmen perked up, their attention focused solely on the loud noise coming from the cabin. Zoro on the other hand was even more annoyed at the situation than before.
"Huh?! Y'all hear that! Sounds like someone's in that cabin!" The blue fishmen said while his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
"Yeah! They must have been trying to hide from us!" said a fishman with pink gills. "Hey! Grass head! Tell us who's hiding in there!"
"Who are you callin' grass head?" growled Zoro, annoyed at the mocking nickname.
Suddenly, the door behind Zoro began to shake and quiver.
The fishmen, alerted by the sudden movement, leaped back with their weapons at the ready. Zoro, who was tied to the cabin door, grumbled under his breath, "Just my luck..."
As he realized what was about to happen, he tried to shout a warning, but his words were cut off as something big and blunt hit the door. The impact shattered the wooden barrier, sending Zoro flying through the air.
Emerging from the now-destroyed cabin door was Yamato. She stood tall, with long, flowing white hair that cascaded over her shoulders, framing her fierce face. Yamato wore a tattered white kimono that loosely draped over her muscular build. Her orange eyes shimmered with determination as she stared at the numerous fishmen on the boat.
The fishmen stared at her, their eyes wide with a mix of shock and curiosity. "W-who's this?!" one of them stammered, gripping his weapon tighter.
Brushing off her hands and her mace gripped tightly over her shoulder, Yamato declared, "I'm Yamato, and I'm not going to let you harm my friends!" Her voice was strong and unwavering, filled with determination.
"Wait, so that guy wasn't exiled?" asked one of the fishmen out loud, looking over at Zoro who was flat on the floor face first, his body still tied to the loose door.
Yamato gasped in shock as she saw Zoro's condition. "Zoro-San?! Are you alright?!" She called out to him.
Zoro, who was at this point, burning with irritation growled to himself. "I swear, when this is over, I'll kill you guys for this…."
One of the fishmen stepped forward, brandishing a razor-sharp trident menacingly. "Listen, lady, this is the territory of the Arlong Pirates. Surrender now, or you'll be fish food!"
Yamato clenched her fist, feeling a surge of excitement course through her veins. She grabbed her mace, the weapon's metal studs glinting in the sunlight. "Oh, I've heard of you, guys!" she said with a grin. "But you should know, I never back down from a fight!"
With a battle cry, the fishmen charged at Yamato, weapons raised and ready to strike. Yamato, unfazed by the onslaught, gripped her mace tightly and swung it in a wide arc, smashing it into the face of the closest fishman, sending him flying into the ocean.
Another fishman leaped towards her, but Yamato expertly spun her mace, deflecting his attack before landing a powerful blow to his midsection. The fishman crumpled, defeated.
As the fishmen continued their assault, Yamato skillfully evaded and countered their strikes, her mace whirling and striking with incredible force.
Yamato leaped into the air, spinning her mace above her head, and then slammed it down onto an approaching fishman, the impact sending him crashing into the deck of the ship. Without missing a beat, she twirled the mace around her body, using its momentum to deliver a devastating side sweep that knocked another fishman off his feet and sent him sprawling across the deck.
Suddenly, a fishman lunged at Yamato, a wickedly sharp sword in hand. Yamato spotted the attack just in time and let out a fierce yell. With a surge of adrenaline, she swung her mace with all her might, striking the fishman's weapon and shattering it into pieces. The sheer force of her blow sent the fishman flying off the boat, soaring through the air and splashing into the water.
The remaining fishmen watched the scene unfold in shock, fear starting to creep into their eyes as they realized the formidable power of the Oni woman that stood before them. She fought like a demon from their nightmares. As their numbers continued to dwindle, they realized they needed to make a hasty retreat.
"She's too strong! What kind of monster is this?!" A fishmen yelled, his face covered in bruises. "We need to get out of here and warn Arlong!"
Another fishmen called out, "Wait! Let's take this one before we go!" He shouted, gesturing over to Zoro. "We'll have more of an advantage if we take him hostage!"
"Huh?! Wait a minute!" Zoro shouted, as one of the fishmen lifted the door that he was tied to. "I'm not some damn bargaining chip!"
The retreating fishmen cared little for Zoro's protests and leapt into the water with him in tow, retreating from the battle. Yamato continued to fight off the renaming fishmen, unaware that Zoro was no longer present on the ship. While she did, Usopp and Johnny watched from the water at a distance.
"Yeah! Keep at it, Yamato!" shouted Usopp, elated at her handiwork. "Teach them what happens when they try to intimidate the great adventurer Usopp!"
Johnny laughed, smiling at the sight. "I can't believe it! Sister Yamato is actually making them retreat!"
With one last swing of her mace, Yamato sent a fishman flying across the deck, bouncing off the railing and spiraling into the water. His body floated on the surface, his face bruised as he was beaten into unconsciousness. The remaining fishmen let out fearful yelps, leaping into the water and swimming away with haste.
"I won't let anyone harm my friends!" Yamato declared, standing tall and proud as the fishmen retreated into the distance. Her eyes sparkled with determination and excitement.
Usopp and Johnny swam back to the ship, and Usopp pumped his fist in the air, celebrating Yamato's victory. "Yamato, that was incredible! You really showed them who's boss! I told you that you were our ace in the hole!"
Yamato grinned widely, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Thanks, Usopp-San! I'm just happy I could help out and impress you!"
Johnny, still beaming with happiness, said, " This is great! Now that we've got the boat back and the fishmen are gone, we can finally make our retreat!" However, his smile quickly faded as he glanced around. "Hey, wait a minute... where did Zoro go?"
Yamato tilted her head to the side. "Huh? Zoro-San is right there—" her voice trailed off when she saw that the spot Zoro had been laying was now empty. "GYAH?! But he was right there! Where did he—, oh no!"
Usopp's eyes widened in realization. "Yamato…you didn't happen to leave Zoro tied when you were fighting the fishmen, right?"
Yamato blinked, staring down at Usopp and rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "Zoro-San was tied up?"
At that very moment, it took all the willpower of Usopp to resist the immense urge to begin screaming and crying.
※
Meanwhile, on a different part of Conomi Islands, the imposing sight of Arlong Park loomed over the landscape. The park consisted of several large, interconnected buildings that seemed to be built in a somewhat haphazard manner. The tallest structure, a massive tower adorned with fish-like decorations, dominated the area, casting a long shadow over the surrounding island. The smaller buildings, with their coral-like roofs and aquatic motifs, complemented the overall theme of the park.
Countless fishmen could be seen patrolling the area, their powerful forms radiating menace. Their gills and fins, coupled with their distinct, fierce facial features, left no doubt that they were formidable adversaries. They moved with purpose, guarding the entrance to the park, while others maintained a watchful eye on the surrounding waters, making it clear that they were prepared for any threat.
Prominently displayed on a flagpole, the flag of the Arlong Pirates fluttered in the wind. The emblem, featuring a sinister, shark-like creature with a saw-shaped nose and fierce eyes, bore testament to the terrifying nature of the crew it represented.
Within the heart of Arlong Park, a large courtyard served as the central gathering area for the fishmen. At the center of it all, Arlong himself sat in a throne-like chair, laughing boisterously as he reveled in his status as captain of the fearsome fishmen crew. The imposing sawfish fishman was an intimidating figure, with his muscular build and dark blue skin, his sharp teeth only adding to his ferocious appearance. His elongated, saw-shaped nose and large, expressive eyes conveyed an air of authority that demanded respect and obedience from those around him.
"Hahaha! You sure know how to make a fishmen happy, captain!" Arlong laughed loudly, leaning back in his chair. "Keep it up and I'll almost forget that you're a human!"
In front of Arlong was a man with a goatee and odd cat whiskers on both sides of his face. The man wore a navy coat, and a navy cap with two cat like ears at the top, and the front labeled with letters that spelled 'Marine'. The marine captain's name was Captain Nezumi. Contrary to the belief that marines were known for capturing and bringing pirates to justice, Captain Nezumi and his subordinates appeared to be doing the opposite.
On the table, separating the fishman pirate captain and the marine, was a large stack of money. Arlong nudged the berries toward the marine captain, a knowing grin on his face. Captain Nezumi, stared down at the money and his face was elated with glee.
"As always, thank you very much." Captain Nezumi chuckled, taking the money and placing it in the hands of one of his marine subordinates that stood off to the side. "You sure know how to get by in this world."
"Shashasha! What're you being so modest for?!" Arlong laughed again. "As they say, money makes the world go round! Money's good! And there ain't no more reliable than money, am I right?"
Captain Nezumi chuckled again in response, his smile wide and whiskers twitching. "Certainly. Now, if business is over, I must be off." He turned to his group of men who saluted him. "Come along, men. Let us return to the ship."
As the marines departed from the courtyard entrance of Arlong Park, a certain orange-haired thief was making her way through the side entrance. Nami, having finally arrived at her destination after escaping the Baratie, walked into the courtyard area.
Nami strolled into the area where Arlong and the rest of his crew were sitting. Among the gathered fishmen, one figure was close enough to greet her. This fishman went by the name of Gura and was much larger than Arlong and had a hulking build. He appeared to be based on a whale shark, with rough gray skin and characteristic white spots. His enormous size and dense skin made him a formidable presence among the Arlong Pirates.
Gura greeted Nami in a deep, slow voice. "Hey, Nami! It's you again, huh? You bring us more money?" He asked in a brutish tone, a grin revealing his sharp teeth.
Nami replied with a confident smirk as she looked up at the large fishmen, "Yes, I'm back with more money, just as promised. Did you really expect anything less?"
Gura laughed loudly and called out to Arlong. "Captain! Nami is back!"
Arlong's gaze snapped over to Nami as she made her way further into the courtyard and walked toward his direction. A wider grin grew on his face, his shape teeth glinting in the sunlight. Nami walked along a pathway, striding past two large pools of water on the right and left. Each one was filled with fishmen, all part of Arlong's deadly crew.
"Well well, look who's back!" called out Arlong, leaning back in his chair. "That was quite a long trip! Ha…as if anyone would knowingly dare to raid my estate! How much did you take this time?"
Nami smiled confidently, raising one of her eyebrows. "Quite a lot, actually! But it was strangely heartbreaking this time! You wouldn't believe what curious people you run into on the seas!"
Arlong stared at Nami for a brief moment and then burst out into loud, guffawing laughter. "Shahahah! Since when did you get so sentimental?! Betraying people is your specialty, right?"
As the laughter continued, a slender piranha fishman named Sharptooth crawled along the roof that shaded Arlong and the other fishman pirates. His razor-sharp teeth glinted as he hissed, "Ssso, Nami, what kindsss of thingsss did you sssee out there?"
The other fishmen swimming in the pool all chimed in, eager to hear her tales. One called out, "Yeah, tell us about your adventures!" Another added, "We're always up for a good story!"
Nami smirked, playing along with their curiosity. "Well, I ran into a group of beginners who think they can survive the Grand Line. It's amazing how clueless they are! They've got no idea what they're getting themselves into. Just a bunch of idiots, really." she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm as she mimicked the bravado of those she had encountered.
Loud laughter erupted from the fishmen, their voices carrying over the plaza of Arlong Park. Arlong himself slapped the arm of his chair, laughing at the thought of another group of would-be pirates who believed they would stand a chance against any of the forces that wandered the Grand Line.
One of the fishmen chimed in, "Come on, Nami, give us another story!" Sharptooth grinned in agreement, his razor-sharp teeth glinting as he said, "Yesss, we're enjoying thisss!"
Nami smirked, pausing for a moment as she thought of another story to entertain her audience. "Oh, there was this one idiot samurai that I meant out there." she began, her tone laced with mockery. "His money was stolen by pirates after he foolishly told them where his boat was. He and his companion nearly starved at sea! And then, using my irresistible charm, I easily got him to reveal the location of his loot, like the idiot he is. That pair was so dumb that I practically did them a favor by taking their money. Now they're stuck working at a restaurant for the rest of their lives!"
The fishmen roared with laughter once again, enjoying the tales of Nami's exploits and the misfortunes of those foolish enough to cross paths with her.
"A samurai at sea?! Now I've heard everything!" laughed a fishmen, throwing his head back. Another fishmen nodded his head as he chuckled. "As if one could survive out on the sea!"
Arlong's loud laughter continued. "It looks like you got some more interesting stories to share!" He raised his voice, announcing loudly, "My fishman brothers, our comrade has returned! Let us prepare a feast!"
A loud eruption of agreement took over the area of Arlong Park. The trees shook and many of the surrounding wildlife retreated from their surroundings as the cheers grew louder and louder.
※
"I can't believe you let Zoro get taken!" Usopp yelled as the boat docked along the side of the island.
"Well, I didn't know Zoro-San was tied to the door!" Yamato shot back defensively. "Why would you even do that in the first place?"
"Obviously, it was to keep Zoro from rushing into the fight," Usopp argued. "I'm a tactical genius, you know!"
"Tactical genius?" Yamato scoffed, an irritated look on her face. "Tying him to a door doesn't sound like the work of a genius to me!"
"You just don't understand the depth of my strategic thinking!" Usopp retorted, crossing his arms indignantly. "Anyway, the point is, now he's been captured and we have to save him!"
As their lighthearted argument continued, the boat finally came to a stop against the island, and Yamato, Johnny, and Usopp disembarked.
The three ventured further onto the island, and quickly came across a scene of utter destruction. The once-thriving town had been reduced to rubble, with entire buildings turned upside down, their foundations torn asunder. A massive crater carved its way through the center of the town, as if a colossal force had bulldozed its way from one end to the other.
The trio stared in disbelief at the devastation before them, struggling to comprehend the scale of the destruction. Twisted metal and shattered glass littered the ground, and the eerie silence that hung over the place was broken only by the occasional gust of wind, sending dust and debris swirling through the air.
"W-what happened here?!" exclaimed Johnny, breaking out into a cold sweat. "The buildings are…all upside down!"
Yamato was in a similar shocked state as she surveyed the destruction. "It's like a great whirlwind just came through this entire town and turned all of the buildings on their heads…!"
"This…I think this is the village that Arlong and his crew had supposedly destroyed a couple weeks ago." said Usopp, referring to the rumor with great fear in his eyes. "I…I was hoping those rumors weren't true, but actually seeing it…"
Johnny clenched his jaw, his body shaking. "…I've heard from the moment they are born, fishmen are 10 times stronger than humans…!" He explained in a low voice. "This is the strength of those from the grand line, and what happens to those who oppose it…"
Yamato swallowed thickly but quickly returned to her determined gaze. "We can't let this scare us. Zoro-San is in trouble and we need to rescue him. I don't see anyone here, so we should probably journey further into the island."
"You want to go further?" asked Johnny with a loud voice. "Sister Yamato, look around you! I know you're strong, but not even you can take on Arlong and his entire crew by yourself—"
"Um, guys? We got company!" said Usopp, jumping and then pointing at a group that was approaching them.
A large group of fishmen, equipped with sharp weapons walked toward the group with deadly glares. Their swords, razors, spears, and sharp teeth glinted in the sunlight. A few of them were the one that Yamato had beaten on the boat, the bruises on their faces being evident.
"There you are!" One of the fishmen called out as the group grew closer. "You won't get away from us this time!"
Yamato narrowed her eyes and readied her mace. Her orange eyes glew with a slight hint of excitement. The group of fishmen approaching were even bigger than the last. She was aware that this would be a tough battle, but for her to resist the urge to grin was impossible. She only wished that her friend, Ryuza was there to watch her engage in battle with such enemies.
With the armed group drawing nearer, Johnny took a step back and sprinted off to get out of harm's way. Usopp quickly stepped behind Yamato, allowing her to shield him from the view of the angry fishmen.
"Do not worry Usopp-San!" said Yamato, smiling down at him. "We can take them on! Nothing will keep us from rescuing Zoro-San! I'll make a path for you!"
Usopp stared at her for a moment before yelling, "How can you be so calm in a situation like this?! And a path for me?! I'm not going anywhere near that!"
Usopp's words went unheard as Yamato dashed towards the large group of fishmen with a steely gaze. The first three fishmen had little time to react when Yamato swung her mace and slammed it into their chests. The impact sent them flying back, knocking into the other fishmen like a bowling ball colliding with pins.
Yamato charged forward with unwavering determination, swinging her mace in a wide arc that sent another fishman flying through the air. She then deftly spun her mace overhead, using the momentum to deliver a powerful downward strike that crashed onto the head of an approaching fishman, driving him into the ground.
With a graceful leap, Yamato dodged the swinging blade of another fishman, her mace striking his exposed side with a resounding crack. The force of the blow launched him into a nearby wall, where he slumped to the ground, defeated.
Continuing her onslaught, Yamato wielded her mace with precision and power, her movements fluid and coordinated. Each swing and strike was calculated, leaving a trail of defeated fishmen in her wake, showcasing her formidable prowess as a warrior. As she continued her fight, Usopp cheered her on.
"Keep at it, Yamato!" He yelled from a distance with a smile. "Don't let any of them get past you! And to me for that matter…"
"And just where do you think you are going?" A voice suddenly growled from behind Usopp.
Usopp eyes nearly popped out of his skull and he quickly turned his head to see a large and round fishmen glaring down at him, barring his sharp teeth. The fishmen towered over Usopp, his size easily able to crush him with his large webbed arms.
Usopp quivered, "I-I…I was just…" he didn't bother finishing his sentence. Instead, he took off running into a random direction without a fearful scream.
The blue fishman gave chase, shouting at Usopp to halt. Usopp called out to Yamato for help, but her ears did not pick up his cries as she continued to bash the fishmen left and right. He continued to flee, ducking through some of the destroyed buildings and further into the island.
Yamato, undeterred by the growing number of opponents, continued her onslaught. She spun, her mace connecting with the jaw of a fishman, sending him spiraling through the air. She then charged another fishman, leaping high and bringing her mace down with a thunderous impact, crushing him beneath its weight.
With a fierce battle cry, Yamato unleashed one final, powerful swing of her mace, sending a fishman crashing through multiple buildings. The remaining fishmen stared at her in fear, their confidence shattered by her overwhelming display of strength.
"I'll take all of you down if I have to!" Yamato declared, her eyes blazing with determination. "Get out of my way!"
With those words, she charged at the remaining fishmen, ready to face any run over any that dare stand in her way.
Author's note This is the end for now! I hope you enjoyed reading and please leave any comments or reviews for your thoughts or questions on the story! I will also be answering any questions and responding to the comments below!
Q1: One question I've noticed was what does Ryuza look like?
Answer: To answer the question, Ryuza's appearance closely resembles the image in the story cover. A slightly spiky black hair style and sharp black eyes. His outfit consists of a white kimono with a blue scarf wrapped from his neck to his shoulders. This is so that he closely resembles the great Ryuma's outfit which will be explained later in the story.
Q2: Another question that was sent to me in a private message was a planned love interest for Ryuza.
Answer: To be honest, it has not been planned that far for even the thought of Ryuza to have a love interest to even cross my mind. The thought has certainly NOT crossed my mind. But I am curious as to what you guys think?
I hope you enjoyed the story and stay tuned!