Heroes of the New World

by Zaru

A Crossover Story between Zaru and Juubi-k. As Yamato, Son of Kaido, heals from her wounds from a battle against her tyrannical father, a chance meeting with a injured boy in green opens her world. And that world, will change. The boy's name? Midoriya Izuku. For Questions, refer to FAQ in story(after Chapter 15)

73. Chapter 72

Five minutes prior…

It was time.

Stood amidst the decks of his personal flagship, Vice Admiral John Giant glared out over the water. Before him rose the craggy mountains of Kaisafjord, all that remained of a once great island, and the mighty empire that had ruled from it. Deep in the center, maybe a few minutes away, was his destination.

The Germa Kingdom.

John looked back, at the fleet stretched out behind him in perfect order. His flagship, the Zephyr, was in the van; as it ought to be. Behind it came two Kong-class battleships - the Bulwark and the Iron Fist - and behind them two-dozen Nelson-class cruisers and three dozen Nimitz-class frigates. He knew every ship, every captain by name. The fighting strength of Heavensward, ready to carry out his orders.

Yes, his orders. His responsibility.

He looked again at Germa. They had been visible for several minutes at least, since his flagship passed through the outer limits of Kaisafjord. But they had sent no message, nor had they answered his own. Germa was seemingly ignoring him.

"Lieutenant Booth." He turned to one of the many officers standing on the decks around his chest. "Has there been any communication?"

"Still nothing sir," replied Booth; a solid young officer, who had been at Heavensward for two years now.

John gritted his teeth. He could delay no longer. He had come to Germa for answers, to demand that Vinsmoke Judge explain himself for the havoc he was wreaking across the North Blue. But the damned man couldn't even be bothered to acknowledge him.

There was only one thing to do. The World Government had respected Germa's ancient heritage and privileges by allowing it such mighty power. But Germa had repaid this generosity with arrogance, and violence; bringing chaos where it should have brought order. They had destroyed Swallow Island for no reason at all, and they had likely been behind the fate of Brew Island too. And how many more?

His brow furrowed, as he remembered the recent Reverie. He had hated King Reichen Bach of Doyle then, hated his polite criticisms and his respectful suggestions; and hated every round of applause from the other kings all the more. But for all that, the boy had been right. The Marines had sworn to protect him and his kingdom, and they had failed; betrayed by one of their own. That was what it meant to be a Marine. When one was disgraced, all were disgraced; before the whole world.

And Vinsmoke Judge had been there too, the first and loudest to applaud. Had he smelt blood even then? Had he dared to dream that the World Government was weak, that Germa's time had come?

That was why he had to do this. The Marines could not afford to look weak, not after what happened to Doyle. The Marines ruled the sea, not pirates or renegade kings! He had to set this right!

And he alone would answer for the consequences.

John took one last look over his waiting officers; over Flag-Captain Danvers and his lieutenants, and over the rack of Transponder Snails representing his Rear-Admirals, Commodores, and Captains, all looking expectantly back at him.

"Officers of this fleet," he began. "I am about to commit a crime. In moments, I will order you to battle stations, to destroy the Germa Kingdom."

A few eyes bulged just a little, but no voice was raised.

"I admit, freely, that I have no authority to do this save my rank and my command," he went on without fear or weakness. "I do this because I firmly and sincerely hold that the Germa Kingdom is in a state of criminal rebellion; against good order, the peace of the seas, and Absolute Justice. If any one among you regards this as illegal, or unjustified, then remove your ships from the line and return to Heavensward. Do so without disgrace, or fear of my displeasure. As commander of this fleet, I take full personal responsibility for this act; and will respect your decision without recourse."

Not a word was said. Not a single face, be it human or snail, so much as twitched. John glanced up at the fleet, half-fearing to see ships pulling away.

But they did not. The line was steady. A part of him had known it would be so, but to give them the chance was the least he owed them. If the World Government decided that they had not wanted Germa destroyed, and that someone had to pay, his head might not be enough.

"What are your orders, Vice Admiral?" asked Danvers.

"We will approach in line to their port side, then swing to starboard and circle around them," John ordered. "Prioritize their guns, and any Snail Cruisers that manage to break away. Once their guns are silent, fire straight into their snails. Don't stop firing until they sink. Leaving nothing afloat and no one alive. Am I understood?"

The snails chorussed their assent.

"That will be all." He paused, as the snails deactivated, and then looked to Danvers. "Give the order, Flag-Captain."

"Yes sir! Battle stations!"

The drums beat, and the Marines began to move; hurrying to their stations, lugging any unnecessary equipment or objects out of the way, bringing the shells and the powder up from the armory deck. Sails were secured, and hatches battened down.

Standing in the middle of his flagship, the decks arrayed around him, John could see it all. He bent his knees, and watched the gun crews as they readied their weapons; listening to the familiar call-and-response.

"Battery D, ready and primed sir!"

"Battery F, ready and primed sir!"

"Battery A, ready and primed sir!"

Not bad. Not bad at all; especially since no one had been seriously expecting a fight. John watched and listened as the batteries declared themselves ready. When the last call came in, he took one last look back along the line. He could just see the decks of the Bulwark and Iron Fist, and the white-clad Marines scurrying into position.

He looked back over the bowsprit, counting down the seconds, as the fleet rounded yet another mountain. And there, in the middle of Kaisafjord, was Germa.

Except…something was wrong. John blinked as he took in the sight. The center of Germa was in chaos, its towers blasted and crumbled, smoke rising in a dozen billowing black towers. Some of the Snail Cruisers that surrounded it were on fire, and others were sinking; their windows blasted outward, the snail's eyes closed in death. A few cruisers had gotten free and were trying to form a perimeter, while more were approaching from the north-east and north-west.

Germa was under attack. But by who? What was going on?

Ignoring the bewildered looks of his officers, John pulled his telescope from his belt, extended it, and lifted it to his right eye. He could see shapes moving around very fast. There was a tall creature, with a club; battling with a blue blur. And then there was a strange-looking creature, like a mass of tentacles all tangled together, doing battle with a red blur. What were they?

And then he saw. A single figure, looking hurriedly around, as if trying to keep track of the fighting. He knew that figure. He knew that face, and that build, and that hat, and that sword.

"Him…" he growled, closing his telescope.

"Sir?" It was Danvers, looking confused.

"Trafalgar Law is here," rumbled John, his voice echoing around the ship. "He is behind this."

His officers glanced at one-another.

"But…sir…" Danvers was incredulous. "Law…The Heart Pirates are nowhere near strong enough for this! This shouldn't be possible!"

"Indeed they are not," agreed John. "They have beasts amongst their crew now, two that I have heard of."

It would have passed him by completely, but for that update Melinda had sent him the other day. The cruiser Seahorse had stopped by Swallow Island, and had a nasty run-in with the Heart Pirates; forcing them to retreat. During their retreat, they had run into a Germa Snail Cruiser, and told them of what had happened.

Well, that was the motive, but not the means. Not until he had read the part about those fighting alongside the Heart Pirates. A tall monstrous-looking woman in a mask with a club, a 'Black Beast' covered in tentacles, and a young woman with pink hair and swirly eyebrows.

Pink hair, and swirly eyebrows. Melinda, conscientious young officer that she was, had run a check. The description was a fair match for Vinsmoke Reiju. That in itself was of interest, but then just the day before, he had received yet another update. This time it was Germa troopers visiting islands, using speaker snails to order the said Reiju to come home at once.

So, Trafalgar Law had found some new friends; and powerful friends at that. Could he have kidnapped Princess Reiju? Or perhaps he was helping Reiju take down her father and brothers. Given the despicable nature of the Germa, it wasn't impossible one of them might chose to rebel. Either way, only one response was possible.

But…how did they get there? How did they get from Swallow Island to the far north so quickly?!

"My orders stand!" he barked, driving the thought away. "Sink that cruiser up ahead, then bombard Germa as we bear!"

He fixed his eyes on the Snail Cruiser, as the fleet slipped closer; counting down the range in his mind. The cruiser before him was enormous; many times taller than even his ship, and considerably tougher. Not only could its guns fire further, but his own guns could only hit them at their longest ranges. That left him with only two options; fire from a distance and get shot up, or move into the blind spot and risk getting run down by the snail.

John glanced down. Two lines of Marines were standing there, his hand cannon on their shoulders. He met their eyes briefly, and then took it from them; hefting the mighty weapon into position. This was going to take everything he had; so the least he could do was lend a hand.

Closer and closer they sailed. Ahead, the Snail Cruisers were coming about, and he could see the gun turrets on their flat decks rotating towards him. They had realized the danger.

"Hard about!" he ordered, his heart pounding. "Broadside to bear!"

"Hard a port!" ordered Danvers; in the old tiller style. John felt the ship heave under him, as the ship swung slowly to the right. He heard the orders ring out, the clunk of the gunports opening, and the growl of the guns as they were pushed into position. There was no way the Germa could not see what was happening.

"All batteries, take care!" called Danvers. John could almost smell his anticipation, like lightning in his veins. He had been the same, the first time he had commanded a ship in battle. "All batteries, fire as you bear!"

"Battery A, take care! Battery A…fire!"

The Zephyr shook, as the foremost portside battery opened up; hurling a volley of roundshot high through the air. An instant later the next battery fired, and the next, and the next. The Snail Cruiser's deck erupted in gouts of dust and debris; some shots hitting the turret, others the deck, and some the castle behind. John glanced back, and saw Bulwark open up with broadside and turret guns.

John hefted his hand cannon, waiting for the dust and debris to clear. He saw the nearest turret, just in time to see it fire; the shot slamming into the Zephyr's hull. The mighty ship lurched, but sailed on. John narrowed his eyes, took aim, and pulled the trigger. The hand cannon kicked, and an instant later he saw a puff of smoke as the ball hit the turret head-on.

He lowered the cannon, allowing himself a smirk of satisfaction. Zephyr was too far along to fire again, but the ships behind were taking up the slack; pouring shot and shell into the hapless Snail Cruiser. Its two nearest turrets were down, and he could see flames licking upward from the castle windows. The snail itself was hurt, its purple skin scorched and pocked where its armored shell did not protect it.

He wondered, for a moment, if they actually felt pain.

John looked around. They were passing the first snail but there were two more ahead; swinging around and moving towards him. He could not shoot at them yet; they were in his forward blind spot. Nor could he split the fleet and let them finish off the first snail; the other two would run them down. No, he had to keep the fleet in line, keep moving, and shoot at what he could.

But he did have a clear shot at Germa, at least for one firing.

"Load shell!" he ordered. "Give me a volley right at Germa, then reload for those cruisers!"

(X)

"What the hell's going on!?"

Bepo threw up his arms over his head as more explosions rang out; chunks of stone raining down around them. The maids were safe in the sub, and they had to do their part in detonating other snail cruisers. If need be, they could always swim under the hold. Bepo was a good swimmer, as was the pinkette.

Reiju wished she knew. They had just reached the main deck and the open air, and suddenly all hell had broken loose. Someone was bombarding Germa, but who? Between the smoke and the castles around them, she couldn't see a thing.

"Hey Reiju! Bepo!"

Reiju looked up, and saw Drona, Shachi, and Penguin scurrying through the debris towards them.

"Were you successful, Reiju?" asked Drona as halted in front of them.

"Yes," reported Reiju, smiling. "The maids are safe, for now. How about you?"

"He's been running us ragged, blowing up Snail Cruisers!" interrupted Shachi. He and Penguin were puffing and blowing, while Drona looked fresh. "Seriously old guy, how the hell are you so crazy strong? You got all the fights and left us with nothing!"

"Yeah, and how come you know so much about hotwiring self-destructs?" Penguin cut in.

"This is not a game for prizes," scolded Drona mildly. "Getting the job done and getting out safely is what matters. As for the self-destructs, it was no great challenge once I understood the mechanism."

Reiju had to admit, the old man was full of surprises.

"Incidentally," Drona went on, then paused a moment as another barrage hit, and more debris fell down around them. "We seem to be under attack."

"Yeah, we noticed," replied Bepo sourly, brushing chunks of cement from his fur. "Any idea who it is?"

"It's the Marines!" Shachi cut in again. "We saw them for just a second on our way! A whole fleet blazing away at Germa! Their leader's definitely John Giant!"

"You're sure?" Now Bepo looked even more worried than before.

"Positive! No missing that flag, or that massive ship! It's designed to carry giants!"

"Giants you say?" Drona asked, intrigued.

Reiju thought hard, trying to make sense of it all. Vice Admiral John Giant, the first ever giant to serve in the Marines, and commander of the Heavensward base. What was he doing this far north with a big fleet? The North Blue was already in chaos; pulling that many ships off patrol duty would make it even worse.

Was he doing this for himself? Had Germa offended him so badly that he would take a risk like this? Or had he been ordered to do it? Had the World Government finally grown tired of Germa's antics? Had this whole mission been for nothing?

No. If not for them, the maids would still be trapped in their quarters. At least this way they had a chance of surviving.

On that point…

"There's nothing more we can do here," she said firmly. "We should go, now."

"Indeed," agreed Drona. "Those ships are coming from the south, but are moving in a line to the east. If they circle round Germa, they'll cut us off from the Unicorn."

Reiju saw Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo's faces fall, and knew what they were thinking. The Arctic Unicorn was hidden in a rocky cove, at the foot of the closest mountain to the east. If the Marine ships did indeed circle round Germa, there was a chance they would see it; and capture or destroy it. The last remnant of their old lives, the little ship that had become their home, would be gone; one way or another.

"No need to worry about that!" she assured them with a grin. "Follow me! I'll get us there!"

She retreated back the way they had come; the rest followed behind. She halted at a building corner, peering out. In the space beyond, groups of troopers dashed hither and thither, stopping suddenly and changing directions, officers waving their pistols and screaming new orders.

This was not the Germa she had known. These troopers were lost, unable to function without their Vinsmoke masters, as chaos bloomed all around them.

How ironic. They had wrought havoc and destruction across the world; yet when it came to them at home, they were helpless.

She waited until the last of them had passed, then hurried across the gap. Another corner, then another dash, and they were back on the central deck; the palace looming over them even as it crumbled and burned. It was a matter of a few moments to find the stairway leading to the lower deck.

"Hey Reiju!" Penguin called as they descended the stairs. "You said we're getting out of here! Why are we going down like this!?"

"Izuku can't carry us all out!" Reiju called back. "But there's an escape ship down below we can use! The maids are already there; and with any luck they've got the manual figured out!"

"Manual!?" asked Shachi. "What kind of ship needs a manual!?"

"This one!" Reiju shot him a grin as she led the way down a reassuringly empty corridor. "The only one of its kind in the world!"

Along they went, and down another stairwell. Along and down, along and down, until Reiju felt the air grow thick and damp. Soon enough they reached the R section, and she led them down the long corridor.

"Down there!" She reached the gantry and pointed down. There sat the UV-1 at anchor, with Cosette waiting by the hatch; waving up at them.

"Princess!" she called. "We're all aboard and ready to go!"

"What the…is that even a ship?" Penguin asked, gaping down at the UV-1.

"A ship like no other!" Reiju couldn't help but smile. "UV-1, the world's first and so far only submarine."

Shachi and Penguin stared at the submarine in utter bewilderment.

"Oh wow!" declared Bepo. "Can this really go underwater?"

"It certainly can," confirmed Reiju. "It's my father's ultimate weapon. The first of what would've been a fleet of his own, that the World Government would never know about."

"Very interesting," mused Drona, looking the submarine up and down. "A ship that goes underwater. Ideal for our purposes."

"Right." Reiju turned to her companions. "Drona, Bepo, Penguin, Shachi, I need you to go with Cosette and the maids on the submarine. Head over and secure the Unicorn and whatever provisions we have; Izuku's Eternal Pose to Whitebeard is there. If the Marines spot you, get out of there right away. Don't stop for anything."

"But…" Bepo looked worried. So did Penguin and Shachi. "What about you?"

"Princess?" Cosette looked scared.

"I'm going back for the others," replied Reiju firmly. "And to put an end to this."

An end. The only end that was possible now. The only end there could ever be.

"No, princess!" wailed Cosette. "You can't face them by yourself!"

"She won't," interjected Drona, stepping forward and standing beside Reiju. "Because I'll be going too."

Reiju regarded him. He was old, or at least he looked old; but there was no frailty to him, no air of weakness. And something in his manner told her that if she refused, he would just go anyway.

"Very well," she said, and turned back to the others. "Cosette, these are my friends; Bepo, Shachi, and Penguin, of the Heart Pirates. You can trust them. But you need to go, now. The Marines are bombarding Germa, and they won't hold back until this place is rubble on the seafloor."

Cosette visibly steadied herself, then nodded.

"Alrighty then!" Shachi offered his arm with a flourish. "Come along little lady!" Cosette gave him a sour look, then took Bepo's arm instead.

Reiju rolled her eyes, and dashed back up the gantry; Drona close behind. Once in the corridor she paused, and stepped into the workshop where her Raid Suit had been undergoing maintenance. Seeing no sign of it, she headed for the safe and keyed in the code; hoping desperately that it hadn't been changed.

It hadn't. The door clicked open, and there was her Raid Suit canister, situated on a small pedestal behind a glass shield. She went to a nearby console and placed her finger on a pad. The glass retreaded down, exposing the black and pink cylinder.

"A memento?" asked Drona, as she took it out and attached it to her belt.

"A weapon," she replied. "One my father made for me; just as he made me."

She hesitated, her heart sinking. Her Raid Suit was useful, too useful to leave behind out of pride. But her cookbooks were still there, still hidden away in her room. She would have to leave them behind; her last connection to Sanji, and her private memorial to her family's countless victims.

No, not completely. They lived in her memory; inscribed there indelibly, by the same mental skills her father had taught her as a child. They would live again, by her hand.

"You mean to face him," stated Drona. "You mean to kill him."

"I must," Reiju admitted. "After all I've done, all I've failed to do. This is the only thing that even comes close to atonement."

She looked Drona in the eyes. They were sympathetic, and a little sad.

"You will get one chance, and one chance only," he warned. "And that's if he doesn't know you've changed. And even if you succeed, your brothers will remain."

"I know that."

Drona paused, for what felt like forever. And then nodded.

"Go then," he said. "Leave the Marines to me."

She hesitated, surprised. But his eyes twinkled, and she nodded.

"Good luck."

Drona nodded, and jogged off down the corridor; turning left at the end. Reiju watched him go, then headed off in the other direction.

Time to end this. Once and for all.

(X)

View: https/watch?v=v7g5CKSY2ko =PLynM5VUw_YursCxodClCpxySzZJvC2jK0 =14

For Izuku, the world around him was a blur.

The center of the world was his battle; and the only clear thing was Ichiji. They blazed across the battlefield like twin comets, one red-white and one black-green, destroying all they touched. Buildings shivered down as they blasted through; whole companies of troopers were sent flying. When they touched, the ground shook and the winds howled; as they traded kicks and punches and blocks and parries.

Izuku had never faced an opponent quite like Ichiji. He was at 50%, and still he could not win. Ichiji had no weaknesses, no downside Izuku could exploit. Some foes were tough but not fast, some were fast but not tough. Some had powerful abilities at a touch, or were incredibly evasive.

Ichiji was all the above, strong, fast and knew exactly how to use his power.

And he had used it. All of it. The little part of Izuku's mind not focussed on the battle had been carefully watching, recording, analyzing. Ichiji had thrown nothing new his way since they made it into the open air; and he had no reason to delay or hold back. That meant he was at his full power. He had used his full repertoire.

But Izuku had one card left. He had not used his Flight power since the battle started; relying on jumps and dashes instead. It wasn't much of a trump card, but it was all he had.

Smokescreen was also not in the cards. Haven't found the best opportunity…

He heard some huff from En, but Izuku was too focused on the battle to care.

He dropped back, landing amid the ruins. He looked around for Ichiji but there was no sign of him.

But he did see Judge. The king was cowering amid the rubble, clutching his spear. Around him stood a ragged cluster of troopers; their uniforms burned, torn, and bloodied. Their weapons posed little threat, but they were a lot of them, and they were still fighting.

Seeing his chance, Izuku kicked, sending an air burst straight at Judge.

"SHIELD!" yelled Judge, as he saw the incoming blast. Izuku's jaw clenched as the troopers leapt in front. They took the blast, their bodies flying through the air like a child's discarded toys.

"You coward!" he yelled, unable to contain himself.

"Be silent pirate!" Judge's face flushed with anger. "You despoil my kingdom, and you talk of cowardice!?"

"For the innocent lives you've destroyed!" Izuku shrieked. "For the lives you've created and exploited like tools!"

"They are my tools, because I created them!" retorted Judge. "A lowly pirate such as you has no business criticizing a king!"

Izuku opened his mouth to yell, but his Danger Sense flared. He jumped back, barely avoiding a diving kick from Ichiji; the ground cratering where his foot landed.

Ichiji leapt at him, his fists flashing like lightning. Izuku dropped back, blocking his blows; then lashed out in kind. Ichiji fell back under the onslaught, his arms a blur; and Izuku could make no headway. He leapt up, trying to get behind Ichiji, but the red prince leapt with him. Again they leapt about the battlefield like twin lightning bolts, arms flailing, blows striking; yet neither gaining the advantage.

Izuku fell back again. If he could not overwhelm him with force, he would have to outwit and outmaneuver. Ichiji flashed at him, but he darted aside, lashing out with his foot. Ichiji dodged, but the blow glanced him, knocking him off course. Izuku flipped back, landing on his feet, looking up just in time to see Ichiji charging him again; joyful murder in his eyes.

Izuku waited, and waited, then jumped, vaulting overhead and kicking straight down. He caught Ichiji in the back, forcing him downward. Ichiji hit the ground hard, skidding through the rubble like a crashing plane, then rolled forward and flipped onto his feet.

Izuku charged, fist crackling, just as Ichiji turned to face him. His fist caught the prince in the kidneys, and sent him staggering back; coughing up flem. Izuku charged again, driving his fist in again, and again, and a third time; knocking him flying into the rubble.

A bullet whistled past his head; so close it made his skin sting at its passing. Izuku glanced in reflex, and saw a cluster of ragged-looking troopers aiming and firing. He snarled, and let loose an air blast, knocking the troopers down.

And then he saw Yamato. She was still fighting Niji, driving him before her with swings of her club. Niji was clearly rattled, snarling and shrieking as he lashed out with crackling lightning. The bolts hit, and Izuku's heart leapt into his mouth as her body flashed, and for an instant he saw her skeleton. Her clothes were scorched and smoking, her skin burned a brutal red, but still she swung; catching Niji and hurling him into an already-smashed gun turret.

"HOLD HIM!"

Danger Sense screamed, cutting through his anger; but too late. Ichiji was upon him, arms like steel clamping around Izuku and holding him fast. He struggled and kicked, trying to force his way free; but Ichiji held firm, snarling with the effort. He could smell the red prince's breath; a stench of blood and bile.

And then…something changed.

The world seemed to slow, and Izuku felt like he somehow wasn't there. He could see Judge flying towards him, spear outstretched, a snarl of triumph on his bruised and bloodied face. Izuku felt the spear strike, the agony as it plunged into his belly.

Then it was gone. And there was Judge, coming at him as he had seen just a moment ago. He had to move,! He needed 55%! NOW!"

He felt the power come, crackling through his veins, pouring into every part of him. He thrust out his arms and legs with all his strength. He heard Ichiji gasp and grunt, and with all his might he turned; forcing the prince into the path of the blade. Ichiji roared, and Izuku felt a hot pain slice across his side. He broke free, and turned to face them. There was Ichiji, his face a mask of agony, and Judge's spear deep from his stomach.

"Father!" Ichiji roared. "Pull it out, damn you!"

Judge did so, but if he was worried at having impaled his own son, he made no show of it. Instead he was smirking, as if in triumph. He had pierced his own son, to land one blow on his enemy.

Izuku screamed, as the fury overcame him once again. Black Whip erupted from him, tentacles engulfing father and son. Izuku swung hard, slamming them through the debris. Judge shouted in agony, while Ichiji grunted and groaned. Izuku jumped up, and slammed them into the belly of a nearby Snail Cruiser.

The cruiser exploded, and Izuku threw up his hands, shielding his head from the hot wind and the flying debris. He backed down and landed, taking deep breaths. He could feel his body ache and groan under the haze of adrenalin.

Another explosion, and a flurry of lasers burst from the rubble. Izuku snarled as he saw Ichiji levitate out of the ruin, carrying Judge in his arms. His red Raid Suit was singed and torn, his skin burned and bloodied. Judge looked ten times worse.

"Why!?" he barked, as Ichiji landed, and set his father down. "He just stabbed you!? Why do you protect him!?"

"Did you not hear what I said?" retorted Ichiji. He actually sounded exasperated. "He is my father, and my creator. What more reason do I need, pirate scum?"

A sudden and terrible weariness came over Izuku. There was nothing in those eyes, no sign of doubt or weakness, no hint of an opening. Ichiji was utterly sure of himself, utterly certain of who and what he was, and why he existed. His honor was loyalty, his watchword was obey.

"Malice's heart was broken," The Second whispered. "This guy… never had one."

Izuku gritted his teeth. He had to finish this fight, and finish it fast. He could feel his Danger Sense tingling, and Germa shifting under his feet. They were running out of time.

But…he couldn't. He tried to focus, to rouse his strength, but it wouldn't come. Something was wrong.

He glanced at Ichiji and Judge. Both of them were smirking, as if at a joke only they knew. Pain twinged at his side, where the spear had grazed him. He touched it, and his hand came away sticky with blood.

He felt a wave of dizziness and nausea overcome him. He swayed, and had to shift his foot to stay upright. Ichiji's smirk became a malicious grin.

View: /pWQo6qSieN4?list=PLynM5VUw_YursCxodClCpxySzZJvC2jK0 =106

"It's poison!" En yelled.

Danger Sense flared, and Izuku saw Ichiji blaze towards him. He tried to dodge, but the move was too slow. Ichiji's fist caught him in the face, sending him staggering back. He tried to strike at Ichiji, but the blow missed. His vision was blurring, and his body felt like it was mired in wet sand.

"Sparking!"

Ichiji's glowing red hands lashed out like vipers. Izuku raised his hands, barely blocking the red prince's rapid blows that hit as hard as blazing hot sledgehammers.

"STOOORM!"

Izuku cried out as one last blow struck; sending him flying backwards. He felt himself hit a wall, and another, and another, then skid over the ground and out into open air.

And then he fell in the cold sea.

(X)

"IZUKU!"

Yamato cried out in horror, as she saw her friend fly off the deck and into the cold waters of Kaisafjord. He was in trouble!

Then her body screamed as Niji hit her again; his lightning shocking and burning her down to the bone. She staggered back, righting herself, as Niji stood there, fists crackling, his face a cruel sneer.

"One down, you and Trafalgar to go! BITCH!"

Yamato glanced to her right. She could just see Law, amid the rubble at the opposite end of the deck. He was fighting hard, defending himself with his nodachi as troopers swarmed over the rubble to assail him. His five minutes had long since run out, and he was clearly flagging.

She wanted to help Izuku, but how? She was no use in the water, and she couldn't leave Law up here alone.

Niji decided for her, with another lightning bolt. Yamato hurled herself at him, swinging Takeru. Niji jumped back, narrowly avoiding her swing. Yamato attacked again, and again, driving Niji back. She had to take him down quickly and…

Something hit her from the side; so hard that her mind went blank. Her club fell from her hand, and she hit the ground hard.

"Got her!" Yamato looked up, but it wasn't Niji who had spoken. It was Yonji, swaggering towards them, his gauntlet now an open-ended cylinder; like a cannon barrel.

"Bout time ya did some damage on the bitch!" retorted Niji. "How's the new hand?"

"Good enough!" The cannon clunked and clicked, reforming itself into a mechanical hand. "Let's waste this cow-gorilla!"

"Don't mind if I do!"

Yamato gritted her teeth, as the pair advanced on her. Her mind was racing, her heart hammering, her blood thundering in her veins. She couldn't deal with this. She didn't have time for this! While she was fighting here, Izuku was…

No, he was okay. He had to be okay!

He's not dead.

HE'S NOT DEAD!

HE'S NOT DEAD HE'S NOT DEAD HE'S NOT DEAD!

NO. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO.

"Can't fight without your weapon now! CAN YOU!?" Niji roared, triumphant.

Unforgivable.

Yamato roared, as something deep within her erupted. She punched, Haki coating her fist in reflex; catching him in the face. Niji toppled back, broken teeth flying from his mouth. Yonji tried to react, but Yamato was faster, driving a Haki-covered foot into his gut. The brothers were hurled back, crashing into the ruins.

For an instant, Yamato thought she'd won. Then came Niji again, bursting from the rubble in a blaze of blue lightning. He was screaming with rage, blood leaking from his mouth. She could see teeth missing.

"I REFUSE TO LOSE! TO A FUCKING WOMAN LIKE YOUUUU!" Niji came on, roaring like a maddened animal; lightning flashing and arcing all around him.

And then, Yamato roared.

The world seemed to fade around her. There was nothing in the world but this; nothing but this fight, this enemy. This enemy, which had to be destroyed!

She moved, without thought or impulse, fire burning in her veins. She could feel his lightning burning her, but she felt no pain. Her fist struck him in the face, and her heart leapt at the feel of it. Niji flew back, and she grabbed his ankle; and a terrible joy flooded through her as her nails dug into his skin, making him cry out. She swung him around and around, delighting in the spray of his blood on her face. Then down he went, slamming to the ground, his glasses shattering to reveal eyes bulging in pain.

She slammed him down again, and again, heart bursting at every impact. She could hear him gasp, and grunt, and cry and scream. She could see his flesh redden, and bruise, and bleed.

It felt so good. It felt so right.

Finally she saw Yonji, and hurled the blue prince right at him. Niji impacted, and the brothers were thrown back into the rubble.

She only vaguely heard Law call out to her. She was looking for the brothers, yearning to attack them, to hurt them, to kill them.

A growl rose from her throat. Her fangs were bared, and her horns were…warm. Very warm.

Protect them. Save them. Save him.

Break them. Kill them.

Put them down.

(X)

Glorious.

Ichiji could not remember ever feeling like this. Certainly not while sparring with his brothers. Even the battles with the Four Kings had not felt like this. His blood was fire in his veins, and his heart leapt at every sight and sound.

A glorious battle, against an opponent that could actually challenge him. For the first time in many years, he had been forced to make an effort, to give it everything he had.

He looked down over the edge of the deck. There was no sign of Izuku, or whatever his name was. Just the waves of Kaisafjord, eternal and uncaring. Even if he somehow wasn't a Devil Fruit user, the poison in his veins would end him for sure.

Drowning would be kinder.

But all in all, it had been a good fight. A challenging fight, ending in victory. The best victory.

The sound of footsteps made him look up. There were troopers scrambling over the debris, rallying to their King and Prince. Their uniforms were filthy, and many were wounded; but they were still in the fight, their weapons at the ready. In that moment, he could not help but feel proud of them.

"Report!" barked Judge, as an officer finally appeared. "What's going on!? Why are we under fire!?"

Ichiji blinked. In the joy of the battle, he had completely forgotten the roar of the cannons, and the crash of explosions. Someone was firing on them; but who?

"The Marines, sire!" replied the officer. "The Heavensward fleet, under Vice Admiral John Giant's banner!"

"The Marines!?" spluttered Judge. "But how!? Why!?"

Ichiji glowered. He had never seen his father like this before; not so battered, so weak, so confused. He didn't like it much.

He turned away, looking around for his brothers. Seeing dust clouds, he clambered up a rubble heap, and looked down. There were Niji and Yonji, battling that huge woman with the white hair. She was holding her own…no, she was forcing them back. She was a force of nature, leaping at them with club swinging, fangs bared and muscles bulging.

She was strong indeed; stronger than he'd realized.

But she was wild, unfocused.

He looked around. He could see troopers moving around, but there was no sign of Law; or that infuriating power of his. He must have worn himself out and gone to ground; leaving his friends to fight in his place. Classic pirate.

Ichiji smirked, and rose into the air. Time to end this.

"Niji! Yonji!" he roared, as he flew overhead. His brothers looked up, grinned, and leapt up to join him. The three soared skyward, a trio of comets in red, blue, and green; coiling around one-another until they reached their apogee. They stopped, hovering close, and their shared aura turned black.

"BLAAAAAAAACK!" they roared as one, and dived at the horned woman. The woman snarled, and hefted her club, as the black comet came crashing down.

"BUG!"

The three brothers unleashed their powers; Ichiji's lasers, Niji's lightning, Yonji's air cannon. They struck as one, so hard that the deck cracked open beneath them.

And the horned woman was sent flying with a scream.

(X)

View: https/watch?v=6s-Icke6F8M =PLynM5VUw_YursCxodClCpxySzZJvC2jK0 =7 =iAQB8AUB

"Yamato!"

Law felt sick, as Yamato was sent tumbling through the air. He watched, helpless, as she crashed through the rubble; walls collapsing as she passed into the heart of Vinsmoke Palace as it began to crumble in on itself.

"Yamato?" Ichiji looked around, one hand cupped theatrically to his ear. "Is that her name?"

And Law's horror turned to sickening dread, as all three brothers turned their eyes upon him.

"Awwww is the cowardly pirate showing concern? How cute." Niji sneered, more electricity surging around him.

"Can't do anything without those two monsters now, can you, Trafalgar~." Yonji added as his mechanical arm winched and flexed.

There was no sign of his crew. No Yamato. No Izuku.

…

This can't be it. It can't be!

"You need to pay for your little transgression." Ichiji coldly said as he raised his hand. "A quick death is the last thing you deserve."

His eyes glowed, and two eyebeams punched through Law's lower leg. He screamed and staggered, but Ichiji fired again, this time through his other leg. Law fell down, blood gushing from the partly-cauterized holes, all three brothers sneering at his plight. He grabbed for his dropped nodachi, and the beams came again, ripping through his outstretched hand, and then the other.

"Well give the man a hand!" quipped Niji, and the brothers roared with laughter. Law gasped and spluttered, his agonized body refusing to move. He tried to conjure Room again, but the power would not come. He was past his five minutes, and he couldn't use his sword.

He was helpless.

Ichiji pointed one finger, and sent a red beam through his upper leg. Law gasped at the pain and the smell of roasted flesh. The prince shifted his aim, and sent another beam through his other leg. And another beam through his left arm, and then his right arm. Beam after beam. Wound after wound. Law screamed and writhed, agony blanking his mind. He couldn't bear it! It was too much! He couldn't bear it!

But he couldn't fight. He couldn't even escape.

Finally, Ichiji lowered his finger. Law coughed blood, his body smoking from where the beams had burned and blasted it, blooding pooling on the cracked and cratered stone below him.

"What's the matter, Trafalgar Law?" asked Ichiji, lip curled in a contemptuous sneer. "Does it hurt to be helpless?"

Niji and Yonji laughed. Law glared up at him, hating that face, and that sneer, and the merciless, unfeeling consciousness behind it. It did not deserve to be called a heart.

"You…monster…"

"Monster, am I?" The sneer widened into a vicious smirk. "How is this any different to what you've been doing?"

His words stopped Law cold. Had they been reading the Marine reports?

"Oh yes," Ichiji went on. "Your reputation precedes you. Was it fun, swapping out people's limbs like that? Was it amusing to sever their heads and toss them around? Did it entertain you to watch their headless bodies stumble about like…well, headless chickens?"

Something cold and sick was churning in Law's stomach; even through the pain. No, it wasn't true! Yes he'd messed with people, but he always put them back together afterwards! He'd never actually hurt anyone! He was a doctor!

"Like all pirates, he is a hypocrite," said another voice. Law's heart sank even more, as Vinsmoke Judge came hobbling into view; leaning on his spear. He looked like he'd had the beating of his life; but that was small comfort now.

"Hypocrite!?" Blood flew from Law's mouth as he spat the word. "You…are…a monster! You're a…tyrant!"

The brothers laughed. Judge just looked down at him, as if he were a specimen pinned out on the dissection board.

"You…destroyed whole countries…!" Law coughed as he forced out the words. "You…toy with life itself! You couldn't…even…leave your wife's womb alone! And look what you made!" He managed to force up his perforated hand, just enough to gesture at the brothers. "This…is your legacy! You…made…monsters of your own children!"

He slumped back, his words all gone. The four just stared down at him; the brothers smirking, the father expressionless.

"What of it?" asked Judge, plainly.

"We're not like you people," added Ichiji. "The World Government takes what it wants, kills who it wants, and calls it justice. You pirates do the same thing, but you say you're fighting the man, or robbing the rich. Marine or pirate, king or commoner, the same thing happens every time. You act on your impulses, then convince yourself that it was right, or that it was justified, or that it wasn't all that bad."

"We don't need your slave morality!" Niji cut in, lightning crackling around him. "We are the elite! We are the supermen! We are lightning from a dark cloud! We do what we do, because we can!"

"Because we are the wolves, and everyone else is nothing more than prey!" Yonji sneered.

Law's soul was leaden. They had no idea of what it meant to be human. This was their entire reality, and they had the power to enforce it on the whole world.

And he had failed to stop them; just like he had failed the people of Tailfeather.

"Can we get on and kill him now?" Yonji flexed his mechanical hand. "I wanna test this thing out. See how much pressure it takes to crack his skull, and squeeze out his brains like egg yolk." He grinned darkly.

"Your invasion has failed, Trafalgar Law." Ichiji's hand glowed like a red sun. "Now you die in the dirt, like the rat you are."

Law slumped, as the last of his strength faded.

"Corazon…everyone…" he whispered, closing his eyes. "Forgive me…!"

View: https/watch?v=oxE8o5KgB2M

And then the ground below him shook, and a roar filled his ears. He forced himself to look up, just in time to see the ruins behind the brothers blow apart in yet another massive explosion. Judge screamed in terror, and his sons stared in disbelief, as a black shape flew out of the billowing cloud.

Law couldn't stop staring either. It was a black shadow, in the shape of a man, but wreathed all about with writhing black tentacles; and haloed in a glow of black flames and green lightning.

He had seen it before. But not like this.

"Mi…Midoriya…?"

"Shigaraki… Style…"

The nightmare's eyes glowed an unnatural green, bordering to cyan. The tendrils flashed out like striking snakes; dozens, hundreds, numberless. Troopers yelled as they were grabbed and tossed aside. Judge screamed and gibbered, staring at the monstrosity in blind terror; even as his sons grabbed him and hustled him away.

And Law could only stare, transfixed, as the thing continued its rampage. His stomach churned, as he remembered the snarling, horned, blue-eyed monstrosity Yamato had become.

Yamato, that big, goofy good-humored girl, so full of life and handy in a fight.

Was this really Izuku?

Was this the awkward, gentle, soft-looking boy who loved comic books as much as he did? Was this the noble, kind Izuku, whose smile healed wounds his medicine could never touch?

And standing before him, covered in hands with his arms and legs shrouded in black tendrils ending in hands, his mouth covered by them, that gentle boy was replaced by a monstrosity with emerald hellfire in its eyes.

Where was he? What had that horror done with him?

Or was this the real Izuku?

(X)

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOUUUUU?! YOU MONSTEEEEEER!"

Judge's mind was all but broken. He could hardly think. His whole body hurt, and his heart thundered with soul-bending terror. Never, not since he left MADS, had he felt such fear.

His sons, his brave, mighty sons, clustered around him; glaring up at the monster in mingled fury and bewilderment. It was as close to true fear as his enhancements would allow them.

"So that's the Black Beast," growled Ichiji. "I was wondering what the hell that was about."

"How the hell is he still alive!?" demanded Yonji. "He's a Devil Fruit user, right!? You sent him into the sea!l

Judge tried to think, to make sense of it all. Clearly this Midoriya character wasn't a Devil Fruit user after all. That was a plain and simple fact. No Devil Fruit, of any kind, had ever allowed its user to swim. Either this was a hitherto-unknown variety, or else…

Him.

"IS THIS HOW YOU SEE ME!?" roared Judge, as horror and rage overwhelmed what was left of his reason. "YOU CREATED A MONSTER TO HUNT ME DOWN!? VEGAPUUUUUNK!"

Yes, it was true! That wretched little man, always going on about peace and helping others! He had been jealous all along! Jealous of Judge's genius, and his heritage, and the mighty destiny of Germa! So jealous that he had made a monster to hunt and destroy him! And he had somehow gotten the World Government to help!

Damn him! And damn the World Government too! They had never complained before, never lifted a finger to stop him! They had seen all, and done nothing! They had sent him the missions, collected the tributes, and turned a blind eye! Yet now they decided they didn't like it!

"55…PERCENT!" The demon's eyes blazed, the color shifting from emerald to cyan, as it stared down at them.

"KILL HIM ICHIJI" wailed Judge, pointing at the fiery abomination. Ichiji readied himself, as did his brothers.

"Now Room!"

Judge froze as did Niji and Yonji, and Ichiji spun round; sending a finger beam straight into Law's shoulder. Law cried out and fell back again. Judge looked around, half-expecting to be teleported into mid-air again, or struck by some random object.

But nothing happened. Ichiji had hit him just in time. Judge rounded on Law, hefting his spear. He would finish that irritating pirate off before he could cause any more trouble.

Then he hesitated, as he saw the look on Law's face. The pirate was smirking, and lifting a shaking hand. Up went the middle finger.

"Made ya look, fuckers."

For an instant, Judge froze, bewildered. Then he snapped his head up, and screamed as he saw the black tentacles swarming towards him; each one tipped with a hand, clawing and grasping as it reached for him. His sons leapt away, their glowing auras burning through the grasping hands. Judge tried to back away, but the hands caught him, slamming him down onto the broken ground. The hands pulled at him, twisted him, and Judge screamed as he felt his bones crack.

Above, Ichiji snarled and rounded on Law.

"SPARKING COMET!" He fired off his attack at the stricken pirate. But a blue-black blur shot in front of him; backhanding the blast away. It was the monster, its blazing eyes fixed on Ichiji. Mercifully, the tentacles let go; leaving Judge coughing and groaning the rubble.

The demon leapt at Ichiji, its ebony fist striking his face and throwing back his head. The other fist slammed into his stomach, and Judge gasped as his son was thrown back; screaming in pain as he tumbled helplessly through the air and crashed into a nearby tower. On he flew, through the tower and into the next, and the next; the towers all crumbling behind him.

He had never seen that before. No one had ever hit his son that hard, ever knocked him back like that before.

Then his heart leapt, as Ichiji blazed once again into the sky. His eldest son was not beaten yet! This battle wasn't over!

The demon looked up at Ichiji, and then rose into the air.

No, more like blasted after him.

Judge's chin would have hit the floor if it were not so bruised and swollen. Niji and Yonji stared in horrified disbelief, as the Blackfire demon flew up to face Ichiji.

View: https/watch?v=GrtipI7dP2Y =PLynM5VUw_YursCxodClCpxySzZJvC2jK0 =22

"Impossible!" yelled Ichiji, shock written all over his face.

"HE CAN FLY!?" bellowed Niji and Yonji in unison.

(X)

Ichiji raged as the demon ascended to face him. How the hell was this possible? Even if he wasn't a Devil Fruit user, how had he gained the power of flight!?

He received no answer as the demon came at him. Ichiji dodged, then yelled as the black fist caught him again. He tried to evade, to block, but the blows came on; faster and faster, harder and harder. It was all Ichiji could do to block them, and then suddenly he wasn't. They were grazing him, pounding at his armor and nicking his face. He could feel his bones vibrating, his muscles aching under every blow.

And then a direct hit; and he was plunging down. He impacted, bounced up, and the demon kicked him like a soccer ball; sending him smashing through the rubble, walls falling as he passed. A tendril grabbed his ankle, yanking him to a halt, then swinging him up and around like a ball on a chain.

As he flew, helpless, he could see Germa below. Its towers had fallen, and its snails were sinking; smoke rising in a hundred black columns. He could see the Marine fleet too, snaking around in a neat line, firing again and again; explosions blossoming over the ruins.

And there was the demon again, looming above him, eyes blazing cyan hellfire. Ichiji tried to turn, but the demon was too fast. It kicked him again and let go; and down he plunged again. He impacted, driving a divot through stone and steel, bounced up, then crashed into a tower. He slid down and hit the floor, the tower falling down around him.

What was this thing? A few minutes ago, that boy had been weary, and dying of his father's poison. Yet there he was; faster than Niji, stronger than Yonji, sweeping all before him!

He was…inhuman!

He saw Niji and Yonji leap at the demon, auras burning bright. But the demon darted from between them, flashing behind Yonji and kicking him towards Niji. Niji dodged out of the way, and flew straight into the demon's fist. Midoriya grabbed his arm, and drove his other fist into his stomach as he stunned the blue haired man , Niji's eyes bulging.

Their bones were stronger than steel. Their organs were not.

Niji coughed out blood, and Midoriya struck, again and again as Niji howled and gagged in agony.

"BASTAAAAARD!"

Yonji charged, but the demon twirled like a dancer and caught him with his leg; plunging him back down.

Ichiji rose to his feet. He coughed, and tasted blood in his mouth. How could he have been hurt so badly? His body hadn't hurt this much since he was a child; and then only after one of his father's particularly nasty punishments. He looked down at his Raid Suit, and was astonished to see dents, tears and scores.

No foe had ever done that much damage before.

This wasn't a good battle… there was too much pain for him!

It made no sense. Midoriya had been strong and fast at the start; a mighty warrior, almost at his own level; maybe strong enough to be a Warlord of the Sea. But now, despite his efforts and injuries, and his father's poison, he was somehow stronger. What was it he had said? Fifty-five percent?

Had he been holding back this whole fight? Using only half his power?

Was he…looking down on them?

On him?

The Crown Prince of GERMA!?

"Damn you…. DAMN YOU MONGREL!"

He hurled himself into the air, drawing on all his power as the demon turned his head towards him. He struck with his fists, but Midoriya blocked every blow; his arms flashing like lightning. Ichiji dropped back and unleashed his eye beams, but Midoriya wasn't there. He moved, but the black tentacles grabbed him and threw him down. He hit the ground hard, and looked up in time to see Midoriya spin-kick Niji into the rubble; even as Yonji came up behind him.

Yonji lashed out, and a green-glowing fist struck Midoriya in the face; knocking him backward. Yonji roared in triumph and attacked again, but Midoriya flashed past, driving his fist into Yonji's stomach; so hard that Yonji's whole body contorted around the blow. He howled in agony as he flew across the deck, landing somewhere in the ruins.

Ichiji staggered to his feet, as he saw what was around him. His father's palace, as grand as any in the world, was now a blasted ruin. Looking around, he could not see any standing castles. All the towers and bastions of the Snail Cruisers had been blasted and toppled, and more than a few were sinking; the attached decks groaning as they were dragged down. The once pristine lawns were churned and ravaged, and the streets and parade grounds were cratered and cracked, strewn with rubble.

This was his father's kingdom. This was the kingdom he was meant to inherit. This was the wellspring of Germa's rebirth, the fortress from which he would one day carry on the Vinsmoke name, and take what it was owed.

Now it was little but ruins. And with that Marine fleet blasting away at it, soon it would sink under the frigid waters of Kaisafjord. Anything not locked in the deep vaults would be ruined, if not lost forever. And if they could recover the vaults, it would take years to rebuild after this. They would have to join up with one of the Four Emperors, with pirates, just to have a safe place to do it.

Ruined. It was all being ruined. Ruined by that abomination and his friends.

"You…"

Something welled up inside him, something he had never felt, and was not supposed to feel.

"Fucking…"

Anger. Furious, red-misted, homicidal anger. For the first time in his life, Vinsmoke Ichiji was incensed.

He was fucking PISSED.

"MONSTEEEER!"

Ichiji screamed out his fury, and hurled himself at Midoriya. The monster turned on him, and they battled in the air; arms and legs blurring, twin comets of cyan and red flashing through the sky, the rest of the world forgotten as they struck and darted through the heavens above.

Kick and block. Punch and parry. Beams against air blast. Blazing cyan eyes glaring into burning red orbs.

Where they landed, the ground shook and blasted walls fell down. Shockwaves formed from their blows.

Where they passed, troopers were hurled off their feet by gusting winds.

His arms ached. His whole body burned, as if by Niji's lightning.

He's never felt this way before.

He'd be shouting in agony if he wasn't so driven by his rage.

But he would prevail. He was the Crown Prince, Germa's ultimate warrior.

He would not lose!

(X)

Through the rubble of the bastions, Drona hurried along.

He moved lightly, hopping from rubble pile to debris chunk, as easily as if he were strolling along a country lane. Every so often a trooper would emerge to fire at him, or swing a sword at him. But none of it gave him any difficulty. Their primitive firearms were easily evaded, and the troopers themselves needed only a good blow in the right place to put them down.

At last he reached the edge of the deck, and had a clear view of the east side of the fjord. There was the Marine fleet, moving north up the kingdom's flank, its cannons firing in disciplined volleys. As the shots impacted, he felt the kingdom shudder and shift beneath his feet. He sensed life passing, as another giant snail died, and more troopers died with it.

Such bloodshed. Such wanton destruction. So much death.

He paused, and centered himself, letting himself see and hear. Izuku was locked in battle with the brothers, while Yamato lay buried under rubble, and Law was badly wounded. Shachi, Penguin, and Bepo were trying to get the submarine working; to get themselves and the maids away from this place of death.

He sighed, as the violence and death, the rage and pain, weighed on his spirit. Truly this place was cursed; as if generations of violence and cruelty had soaked into the very stones.

Or was this whole North Blue cursed?

No, was all the Blue Sea this savage? The lower world this barbaric?

Had that traitor Delhi been right after all?

He closed his eyes. Why did the young have to answer for the crimes of their elders? Why did the weak have to suffer for the ambitions and troubles of the mighty? Why did bad things happen to good people?

Old memories arose to torment him. Visions of a woman screaming in horror as her mind was shattered, of that devious witch hiding behind him, and the Court she had implanted sneering at him. The three boys he had raised like sons, two fading away, and the other glaring back at him. And then the gregarious, sneering Delhi; who had ruined his order, his family.

No more. He had done enough harm, allowed enough harm, already. He would not let this go on, not while he had the power to stop it.

He strode towards the mast of the snail cruiser he was standing on. He leapt up, chopping it down with a swift kick. He grabbed it as it fell, then chopped and chopped again, until it was down to a more manageable size.

"This cannot continue."

He turned back to the advancing Marine fleet, steeling himself. His target was obvious; that enormous ship in the vanguard, with brightly-colored banners fluttering from its mast. He could even see the enormous man standing within the deck, surveying the battle.

Drona took aim, then threw the log at the ship. He leapt after it, and landed on top; letting the log carry him on his way.

(X)

"Ships ahead!"

John Giant looked, and saw two more Germa Snail Cruisers moving into view up ahead. Beyond, he could see more of them sailing in through the northern inlets. The battle was going without a hitch so far, but it wasn't over yet.

He gritted his teeth. He had been reluctant to split his fleet, but he was running out of options. There were at least a half-dozen Snail Cruisers active, and if they teamed up and attacked him together, he would have a hard fight on his hands. His best option was to take them down individually and quickly.

Well, no one said being a vice admiral was easy.

"Orders off to Bulwark and Iron Fist," he declared. "Take their squadrons right and left. We'll sink those cruisers, then come back for Germa."

He glanced up at the stricken kingdom. His bombardment had done a lot of damage, and a good number of the snails were dead and sinking. Germa wasn't going anywhere.

"Incoming!"

John perked up, wondering what it could be. Then he saw it; a chunk of mast, flying from Germa's deck towards his ship.

There was a man standing on it.

"Brace for impact!"

The man leapt off, and the mast slammed into the hull; making it shudder. But John's eyes were on the man, as he gracefully somersaulted and landed on the deck like a gymnast.

For a few moments, there was stunned silence. It was an old man dressed in brown, with white hair and a neatly-combed beard; and a white bandage around his head. He stood on the deck as if he had every right to be there.

View: https/watch?v=Bhu1E6QkKMw =PLynM5VUw_YursCxodClCpxySzZJvC2jK0 =38

John couldn't make sense of it. He didn't look like anyone to do with Germa. So what was he doing here? What could have possessed him to attack a Vice Admiral's flagship.

Unless…

"Did Trafalgar Law send you here?" he asked with a sneer. "Foolish pirate."

"No," replied the old man; apparently unperturbed at being challenged by a giant. "I have come to put an end to this wanton destruction."

The old man glared at him; and something in his eyes made John shiver.

"You have many ships, and many sailors," the old man went on. "By dawn's light, this place will be their grave."

"You think you can threaten me!?" barked John, as fury replaced his bewilderment. "Your life is forfeit, old man!"

He dropped his Hand Cannon and reached for his sword. Around him, Marines snapped up their muskets.

"That wasn't a threat," replied the old man. "It's a certainty."

Black-gold lightning erupted from his body in a crackling storm; a wave of Conqueror's Haki washing over the entire ship. John gritted his teeth as the power struck him, willing his spirit to resist. But all around, he could see his Marines toppling over, foaming at the mouth.

"Conqueror's Haki!?" John exclaimed in shock.

Such power. To think that Law had a Conqueror on his crew; and he somehow wasn't the Captain? What kind of man with that kind of power would let someone else command him?

"No…"

Does Law intend to become an Emperor? With command of a Conqueror's Haki user and the monsters in this thrall? If he gets the Grand Line… who knows how much stronger he may become.

Fear turned to fury. He would not allow Law to walk that path; not with Four Emperors already tormenting the world! This old man would die, here and now! To save the world from evil!

"PERISH PIRATE! IN THE NAME OF ABSOLUTE JUSTICE!"

He ripped his cutlass from its scabbard and swung it down; its blade the size of a longboat, covered in black Haki.

And then it stopped. John gaped, as he saw the old man clasping the blade in his hands; the edge a hair's breadth from his brow. He pushed down, pouring all his strength into it, until the deck cracked under the old man's feet.

But he wouldn't budge.

"What...!?"

"Is that all?" The old man asked wryly.

Gold light flashed from the old man's hands, and the sword shattered into a thousand pieces. John reeled back, appalled. The man rose into the air with a mighty jump, his robes billowing around him as they came undone, the white bandage falling from his head. Two more arms emerged, hands spread as if to strike.

"By the Grace of the Stars and Karma's Cycle, Know Enlightenment."

And upon his forehead, once covered by the bandage, a scar split open; revealing a third eye.

"Shinanju Style."

John cried out in surprise and terror, as gold and black Haki spread from the eye, enveloping all like a solar flare.

And he saw.

"Samsara."

(X)

Ruin.

That was all Reiju saw, as she emerged into the moonlit night. The once-mighty castle was now just broken walls and piles of rubble. She could make out nothing of her childhood home, of the halls and chambers she had known so well.

And all around was much the same. Fires burned, and smoke hung like a morning mist. She could smell smoke and burning, hear the crump of gunfire and the cries of dying troopers, feel the ground shift under her feet.

Germa was dying. Its power was surely broken. And soon it would be no more.

But the night was not over yet. A flash of light in the sky made her look up. There it was again, and another and another, brightly-coloured lights flashing back and forth, leaving long trails behind them.

She hurried on, leaping over the rubble and darting around the ruins. She reached the edge of the deck, the mountains and the fjord's waters clearly visible, and looked up again.

There was Izuku, wreathed in black and cyan fire, locked in battle with Ichiji. But Niji and Yonji were there too; their blue and green matching Ichiji's red. Three comets fighting as one, assailing a blazing black and blue sun.

And Izuku was slowing down. Reiju stared up at him, wondering how badly hurt he was.

Then she saw it. A gash in his side, the skin around it discolored; a mark she knew well.

Poison! From her father's spear!

A deranged cackle drew her eyes to the nearby rubble. There, indeed, was her father; cheering and jeering as his sons battled overhead. He was leaning on his spear, and Reiju could see blood on the tip.

Izuku released his smokescreen, dispersing Ichiji's lasers. But Niji flashed past, blowing the smoke away. Yonji fired off an Air Cannon blast, making Izuku dodge; only to get a Henry Needle in the back, and a Sparking Finger in the side.

"FINISH HIM! NOW!" Judge bellowed, as Izuku began to fall. The three brothers combined, readying their Black Bug attack. But then Izuku flickered, and disappeared, reappearing right above them. He punched Ichiji right in the back, then vanished in a flash, headbutting Yonji in the mouth. Niji came on hard, lightning flashing; but then Izuku disappeared again, replaced by Ichiji as the redhead shouted in pain from the electric shock.

Reiju looked around. There was Law, lying against a pile of rubble, staring up at the battle. He looked half-dead, his body perforated with scorched and bleeding wounds. But he had managed to reactivate Room, and Izuku was regaining the upper hand.

"REIJU!"

Reiju's blood ran cold, and she turned to face her father. He had seen her, and he was plainly delighted. She could hear her brothers calling out too.

"NOW! VINSMOKE JUDGE COMMANDS YOU! COME TO MY SIDE, DAUGHTER, AND DESTROY THE ENEMY BEFORE US!"

"REIJU! NO!" Izuku cried out. He flew at her, but Niji jumped him from behind; scorching him with lightning. Ichiji came from below, driving a blazing red punch into his stomach. Yonji finished off with a blast from above, sending Izuku crashing to the ground.

Reiju walked onward, forcing herself not to look at them. She could see Izuku and Law staring at her, their eyes dull with despair. She wanted to look at them, to say something, to comfort them; but she dared not.

She could not risk spooking her father, not when she was this close. She could not ruin this now.

"It will be all right," she prayed, willing her friends to somehow hear. ""Both of you have saved me… now it's my turn, to save you."

"Yes! Come!" gasped Judge. His face was bruised and swollen, his nose crooked; blood leaking from his mouth and nose. His Raid Suit was blasted, dented, scored and slashed; so much so that she could see bare skin. His eyes were bright with hope, and murderous glee. "Come, my daughter!"

She stopped before him, looking back at the two.

And she smiled. and with one smooth move, drove her hand through a rent in his suit; punching into his gut with a horrible wet squelch. Judge's laughter turned to a gurgling cry; his mad smile replaced with stunned disbelief.

"R-Rei….ju…?!"

"For my mother, whom you used and betrayed." She drew out her hand, and Judge fell to his knees. "For the good men my brothers might have been. For all the lives you have ruined and destroyed… die."

Judge gasped and coughed blood, his whole body shaking, his veins blackening as the poison boiled in his blood. He threw himself at her, but Reiju stepped aside and he slumped to the ground, rolling onto his back. His body was deflating, shrinking, as if it was melting.

"I… was a slave… to my parents! They were slaves too! Why…!?"

He coughed more blood, and the blood was more black than red.

"My legacy…my kingdom! I can't be…the weak link! I was meant to be…to…!"

His eyes rolled up, and his head fell back. With one last rattle, his chest lay still. Reiju moved her leg, moved the body with one nudge as if moving a carcass on the side of a road, and pushed it over the edge.

She strode up, and looked down, watching as her father's corpse tumbled down; and vanished into the fjord's cold waters.

From those waters, Germa came. To those waters, Germa had returned.

View: https/watch?v=ZB0miOhSHw8 =PLynM5VUw_YursCxodClCpxySzZJvC2jK0 =57

Reiju turned around. There were her brothers, staring at her in disbelief. There too were Izuku and Law, thunderstruck at her deed.

"You…" It was Ichiji. His glasses had been smashed, and she could see his eyes. Never, in all his life, had she seen such fury in them as he began to shake.

She pulled out her canister, and activated it with a touch. The pink light enveloped her, and her Raid Suit took form; a skimpy pink dress, her Hover Boots, and her butterfly wings.

Tonight, Poison Pink enters the battlefield.

(x)

"TRAITOOOR!" Niji roared, finishing Ichiji's words as fury replaced bewilderment. "YOU! YOU DID THIS!"

He charged at Reiju, hover boots glowing. Reiju leapt for the sky, wings unfurled; spitting gobbets of poison from her palms. Ichiji dived in, and the three ducked and dived; poison gobbet meeting blue lightning and red light.

Yonji watched from above, frozen in bewilderment. How could this have happened? How could Reiju have defied their father's orders? And killed him?

No one had ever done that. Not they, or the troopers, had ever been able to refuse him. It was written into their Lineage Factor; woven into their very being.

Yet there it was. She had done the impossible, and killed their father.

On top of that, she'd done it with her poisons; poisons all four of them were supposed to be immune to. Had she figured out some way to change her poisons? To mix and match them, like a bartender making a drink?

He wasn't particularly upset that his father was dead. He didn't know how to be.

But the thought that Reiju's poisons might work on him…

Ichiji barked something at Niji, and they backed off; retreating from Reiju's fusillade. Yonji activated his air cannon, and fired off a blast towards his traitorous sister.

Then something big and heavy slammed into him from the side; sending him tumbling into what remained of a tower. Yonji grunted, and kicked; the stone cracking and falling apart around him. He looked around, itching to crush whosoever had dared interfere.

It was Midoriya, or whatever the hell he was called. The Black Beast was by Law's side, trying to help him up. Yonji focussed, weighing them up. Law looked about three-quarters dead, his body blasted to crap. And Midoriya wasn't looking all that good himself; struggling to lift Law up, and then staggering under his weight.

Then Yonji saw it. That wound in his side; the skin around it darker than it should be, the veins turning black. Father must have got him with his spear.

Well, at least he did something useful before he bit the bullet.

Reiju had seen it too. All of a sudden she broke off from the fight, flying straight for Midoriya. Yonji's lip curled. Did she really think they'd sit by and let her de-poison him?

"Dumb bitch." He muttered, aiming his cannon.

Ichiji went for Midoriya, firing his lasers. The shadow grabbed Law and flew off, heading for the ruins. Niji went after Reiju, shocking her with his lightning. Seeing his chance, Yonji fired his air cannon. Reiju cried out as the bolt hit, sending her skidding along the ground.

"You may be able to kill us in one hit!" Yonji declared, taking to the air on his hover boots. "But that means nothing if you can't hit us!"

He fired again, Niji joining in. Reiju jumped up and flew away, dodging their blasts as she fled.

Yonji felt the old familiar thrill; the thrill of seeing an enemy turn his back and flee. Reiju wasn't like her brothers. She had been designed to hit her enemy hard and fast, put him down in one go, then get out of there. She wasn't meant for long, hard battles.

All they had to do was wait. Let the poison kill Midoriya, then break Law's neck, and then take Reiju down together. God will sort out who survives and who becomes the next King of Germa.

So, to start…

"You're dead!" he roared, blasting after Law and rearing back his arm. "Verdant Rocket Punch!"

His prosthetic fist exploded from his fist, firing off like a rocket. He saw Law's eyes bulge as it homed in, swerving through the shattered towers and crumbled walls.

They were winning.

(X)

Save him.

If that attack hits Law…!

Izuku landed, put Law down, and turned to face the speeding missile; arms raised.

He WILL save him.

He WILL protect him.

He wills.

View: https/watch?v=-ACwKfuzeP8 =PLDPPaI7o1mDXj2WM7fAJZVnYyEJFhW7f_ =24

A black sheen covered his arms, an instant before the fist hit. The fist bounced off, making Izuku grunt. Yonji's eyes widened, and so did Izuku's for a moment.

It didn't hurt. At all.

"What?!"

Izuku grabbed the arm and yanked it. Yonji yelled as the cable cracked, pulling him in.

"SMAAAAAAASH!"

Izuku threw his black-coated fist forward in a haymaker punch; digging into Yonji's mouth. Yonji gagged, blood and teeth flying from his mouth as he tumbled backwards; hitting the ground with a mighty crash and through several ruined towers as a divot dug through steel and stone.

Yes. This was it. This was Haki! The Color of Armament!

"You did it Izuku!" Yoichi exclaimed.

He felt a hot, burning pain in his side; and an ache in his head. He could feel blood dripping from his nose.

"We need to get to Reiju now!" Bruce yelled, as Izuku focused past the pain. With barely a pause he lashed out, catching Ichiji in the face. He saw Niji approaching, and loosed his smoke; dodging Niji's strike.

"Where did this come-" Niji yelled, as he flew into the smoke. Izuku lashed out with a roundhouse kick, sending Niji out of the smoke, sending him skidding over the ground into a half-ruined tower; collapsing it on top of him.

Danger Sense blazed, and he took off. There was Ichiji, searing towards Law; who was trying to drag himself away. Izuku tackled him, shoving his face down as they skidded over the ground. Ichiji growled and yelled, as his head cut a trench through steel and stone. He jabbed his elbow up into Izuku's gut, knocking him off. Izuku shook his head, his vision hazy; but he could still see Ichiji's red glow.

He flew down, and Ichiji flew up. The black-blue and red-blue meteors collided, and they battled again.

"You're annoying!" Ichiji's eyes glowed. Izuku ducked under the eyebeams, and kneed Ichiji in the face. The red prince coughed blood and cried out, before Izuku grabbed his feet with Black Whip. He flipped back, somersaulting down to the ground; then threw Ichiji down after him.

"Grrrggh!" Ichiji roared, and lashed out with a kick. Izuku dodged, and punched him in the head; sending him skidding away.

"We need Reiju to cure us!" Banjo yelled.

"Easier said than done! Yonji and Niji are on her!" En barked.

"We need to put some distance between us and the brothers! As long as they're within reach they won't give us a moment to breathe" the Second ordered.

Izuku looked around. His stomach was burning, and his breathing was getting heavy; his eyes blurring more than more.

Where was Yamato!?

Danger Sense peaked, and there was the red comet again; blazing after a blurred shape, moving slowly and clumsily away. Izuku willed himself to move, and he landed in front of Law, raising his arms again.

And there it was, a second time; the black sheen coating his arms as he blocked Ichiji's kick.

But not his fist. Ichiji's fast backhand knocked him to the ground; hard enough to crater it.

Izuku felt something erupt out of his mouth, something coppery and wet.

Blood.

"Midoriya!" he heard Law cry out. Izuku's head was swimming, and his whole body felt leaden. But he lashed out with Black Whip.

He couldn't let Law die!

(X)

Reiju snarled in frustration as she flew among the spires and jagged rubble.

She fired off more poison darts, but Niji evaded; jinking left and right. Yonji appeared at the corner of her eye, firing his air cannon.

She was out of options. She couldn't score a hit with her darts, and her poison cloud was no good either. They were keeping their distance, using their ranged attacks to wear her down; playing to their own strengths.

"You killed your own father! Your king! The man who gave you life!" roared Niji. "I'm going to gut you and your allies for this! Your traitorous bitch!"

"They're still scurrying around the ship, cowards that they are!" Yonji added with a leer as he spat out some bloodied moles. "Once we're through with you, we're going to take our time ripping them limb from limb!"

Reiju hissed. They were trying to goad her to attack up close, where they had the advantage. Only her poison cloud was keeping them at bay.

Niji kept up his attack, firing his lightning at anything metallic. Reiju darted out of the way, narrowly dodging his improvised lightning rods. She flew up, barely avoiding another air cannon blast.

And in the corner of her eye, she could see Ichiji battling Izuku. He was getting slow, his movements ever more sluggish; while Ichiji redoubled his attack, face contorted with rage.

Where was Yamato?!

Another explosion caught her ears. She turned, and could just see explosions out in the bay.

Who was doing that? Drona?

Law was trying to conjure up his Room, yelling at it. But the blue energy sputtered out and the man slumped. He was spent. Utterly spent.

She had to get to Izuku! Get the poison out!

Reiju landed, pivoted, and took off with all the speed her boots could muster. She shot across the burning battlefield like a shell from a cannon; even as Ichiji stood over a staggering, coughing Izuku, raising a glowing red foot.

"Die! MONSTER!" he roared.

"Ichiji! Look out!" yelled Yonji.

Reiju lashed out with her poison darts. Ichiji turned, smirking, and fired a blazing red beam from his sole; burning through the darts and forcing her to jink. She hissed in pain as the near-miss seared her flesh, then something hard hit her in the back; knocking her down. She skidded, flipped, and landed on her feet; just in time to see Niji land in front of her, hands on the ground.

"Kilby Current!" Niji roared, and the entire platform lit up with electricity. Reiju screamed as the current burned through her body. Something hit her in the face, and she tumbled through the air; crashing into a pile of rubble.

"Henry Needle!"

She heard Izuku scream. She took flight, hands glowing pink as she shot towards him. Niji had his knee deep in Izuku's back, his tendrils flailing.

"Let him goooo!" Law roared. Somehow he was on his feet, and somehow he was charging at Niji; nodachi brandished high.

"No! Law!" Reiju yelled, and Yonji was in the way, his bare hand catching the blade. Law's eyes bulged with terror, and then Yonji kicked him in the stomach. Law flew back, leaving his sword in Yonji's hand. Yonji smirked, and dropped it.

Reiju roared, and fired her darts. Yonji rounded on her and fired his air cannon; sending a gust of wind straight at her, knocking the darts aside and blocking her path. She gasped and grunted as she tried to force herself through the rushing wind.

"I… will admit this…!" Ichiji panted, landing beside the prone Izuku. "You've lasted longer than most."

Niji fired his lightning into Izuku, making him twitch and yell. Reiju's heart clenched, as the old nightmares came flooding back. Her brothers ganging up on Sanji; beating him, burning him, shocking him, laughing at his pain and his tears.

And she was laughing too then. If only to hide the facade.

That was gone now.

"You're clearly special, 'Midoriya'," Ichiji sneered. "Father's poison spear must be taking slower than usual." He held his arms up, looking to the night sky. "Is this the best Vegapunk could muster? What a DISAPPOINTMENT!"

He kicked Izuku in the head, sending him tumbling over the ruined ground. The black tendrils slumped, and faded away.

"No!" Reiju yelled.

"Niji, bust Law's head open. We're going to tear Midoriya's limbs off one by one!" Ichiji declared. "Yonji! Keep her pinned!"

"Got it!" Yonji leered, while Niji licked his lips, striding over to the stunned and bleeding Law.

Reiju yelled and pushed harder, but the wind was too strong.

Shaking, Izuku raised one hand, fingers curled as if to flick something at Ichiji.

Then she saw it; a glow like a tiny sun, on the tip of his finger.

Ichiji gasped, and flung himself away. Reiju gasped in pain as the light flashed, blinding her. Then a crack blasted her ears, and a hurricane wind flung her away.

Her eyesight returned. Everything behind Ichiji was gone. A chunk of deck, and a whole Snail Cruiser; blasted away like a sandcastle kicked over by an angry child. The blast flew on, ripping through another Snail Cruiser, and an unsuspecting Marine cruiser; then slammed into the mountainside. Dirt, trees, and snow flew in all directions, before finally the blast burst itself on the ancient mountain. The two cruisers erupted into fiery explosions next.

Reiju was looking around, trying to find her friends. There was Izuku, lying where he had fallen; right next to the jagged edge.

"Izuku!" She flew down, and knelt down beside him. She pressed her lips to his, his skin cold and clammy, slurping as hard as she could.

"Rei…ju…" Izuku groaned. But Reiju kept going, sucking out her father's poison. Izuku's body was burned and scarred, his green outfit in tatters; his right index finger a broken mess.

"Midoriya! Reiju!" It was Law! He had survived! She saw Izuku's eyes open wide, and the air heat up. Izuku pushed her, and red light flashed over them; her body seething in agony. Izuku yelled in pain, and they rolled over and over.

"MIDORIYAAAAAAAA!"

She looked up, and there was Ichiji, tearing off his tattered cape. He was limping, blood leaking from his crown; his eyes alight with wrath as he panted.

He was injured and exhausted. To say nothing of the anger in his eyes. Yonji and Niji were flying in to join him, blazing like green and blue stars.

"YOU DIE HERE AND NOW! NIJI! KILL LAW! YONJI, DROWN THAT CUNT!"

"With pleasure!" The two brothers yelled at once.

Yonji and Niji flew off. Reiju threw up her hands, raising a poison barrier. Ichiji thrust out his hands; red beams flashing from palms and eyes. Reiju clutched Izuku to her, shielding him from the onslaught; even as the beams blasted her suit and seared her skin.

"Rei…ju…" wheezed Izuku. Reiju held on, enduring her brother's wrath; protecting her most precious friend.

It can't end like this.

It can't!

(X)

It was dark.

Yamato's whole body hurt as she tried to rise; but something was pressing her down. There was little light, only the flickering of distant fires. She grabbed Takeru, and pushed up with all her strength; her body aching with the effort.

She felt something shift, heard the sound of stone cracking and crumbling, felt dust falling around her. The thing on top of her was a fallen tower.

She gritted her teeth. She had to get back into the fight. She had to help them! With a yell of pain and frustration, Yamato pushed. Something above her gave way, and the ruined tower fell apart; momentum bringing her up and to her feet, staggering out of the rubble.

All she could see was ruin and destruction. Night had fallen, lit only by the fires of burning Snail Cruisers, and the flash of explosions. Nothing around her was intact, nothing standing as it had before. All the towers were fallen, all the walls cracked and broken.

Germa was no more.

View: https/watch?v=xS9h_YVLO8w =PLRW80bBvVD3X151fKj996nT2vSv6p8pT3 =37

Yamato barely noticed. She was looking around for her friends, even as her body ached and stung where Niji had blasted and shocked it. She looked around, but saw only darkness and ruins. She sniffed the air, but could smell only smoke and gunpowder.

"Izuku… everyone…!"

Oden never faltered when carrying his Retainers atop of his back. She wouldn't falter either! No one would be lost this day, she would make sure of it!

A flash of red light caught her eye. She could see Ichiji, firing blast after blast at a glowing pink orb.

And she could hear them. Despite the distance, and the sounds of burning and blasting in the distance, she could hear them.

Law crying out for Reiju and Izuku.

Reiju crying as Ichiji burned and blasted her.

Izuku, his breath gasping, faltering.

Then she saw Niji, holding a struggling Law by the neck; hand glowing blue as he reared it back.

And there was Yonji, slamming his metal fist into the pink bubble that shielded Reiju and Izuku.

"No…"

They had lost the battle, and she was going to lose them. She was going to lose her friends. Reiju, Law, the Hearts, the maids, Drona…

"Izuku!"

Not like this.

NOT LIKE THIS!

"Stop it…"

Yamato's heart was beating faster and faster, her mind fraying. Her friends were going to die! They were going to die, because she had failed them!

Oden never let his friends die.

No! She couldn't! She couldn't be alone again! She couldn't let them die!

Her heart was pounding, thundering like a piledriver in her ears; as if it was about to burst from her chest. Her horns were burning!

She couldn't let this happen! She couldn't fail them, not like this! Not after all the friendship they had shared! Not after all Izuku had done for her! She had to protect them!

Protect them!

PROTECT THEM!

PROTECT HIM!

SHE CAN'T LOSE THEM!

SHE CAN'T!

SHECAN'TSHECAN'TSHECAN'TSHECAN'T!

"IZU-!"

The burning was gone.

And there was only blue.

---

Big thanks to the team on this one. Juubi-K , WildJoker000 and IKnowNothing Thank you all so much.

So yeah. biggest fight in the story. Biggest chapter. And all the build of Yamato's anger has led to this. An explosion unlike any other.

This is where the fun begins, as Anakin Skywalker once said.

The Vinsmoke Brothers in canon were either against the lowest graded lieutenants of Big Mom's Pirate army, or against her right hand man Charlotte Katakuri(the weakest of the Emperors right hands, but still very much a very strong and capable Number Two in an Emperor's crew) or Big Mom herself. I think they also tangled with Oven for a spell, but made little of note. Not to mention we saw how durable Sanji was when his Germa genes awakened. Unlike Sanji, who's had plenty of battle experience going against harder and tougher opponents, the Brothers had their awakenings early and 'peaked' so to speak. They're very much Emperor Lieutenant Level, with Ichiji being stronger than Malice and being just below Who's Who/Ulti in power level. At 50%, Izuku and him are dead even(with Izuku holding back tyring to at least reason with him). It's when 55% that Izuku began to utterly handle the brothers, just as Yamato was just scratching the surface of what her DF can do.

Judge and Law were essentially mirrors of each other. both contributing little to their teams, but providing major help when it counted. Law when he had Room up, and Judge's spear, and both were relatively in charge of their factions too.

Oh, and more mystery of Drona's past and backstory. The next arc we have planned ohhhh boy just you guys wait.

Hope you guys enjoyed the OST placements too. You'll see one I am especiialy fond off next chapter... two of em in fact.

Anyways, next chapters will be shorter. In fact, half of this chapter was meant to be in 73, but IKN said to move that bit over to here. As for what 73 will entail... it wil lcome. Soon.

anyways, hope you all enjoyed this. I sure did, and Juubi did an outstanding job in the first half or so(he wrote up OG 72, I did OG 73, so he did about 2/3 and I finished the rest with moving 73 over to here).

Also good to know that my story has grown I've gotten haters or people who say I'm 'icky'. I made it ma. I made it on the internet.

As always, see you in the next time.