Chapter 56: Fusion
Back Cup Island
Franky imagined something very scandalous with Luffy and Minerva before a yellow-green turtle humanoid with a green shell wearing brown pants explained to clarify the misunderstanding.
Banning- Rigger of the Anchor Pirates
"No, it's about two separate characters merging to make one, usually more powerful, unified being.," he said in a mellow, going at his own pace tone of voice.
"What kind of Zoan are you? Is Pekoms dead?," asked Franky.
"I know now who you speak of, but I'm no Zoan user yet. I'm a Draconian.," replied the turtle.
"So you're into tyranny?," asked the cyborg.
"No, sir.," replied the turtle.
"He's telling the truth- you can see the humanoid traits of a hybrid form when they use it.," explained Zoro, who had his fair share of Zoan users to fight.
"So you're like Minks?," Franky questioned as Banning nodded.
"Back on the topic at hand, it looks like the guys are going to be in trouble. And is this the only way?," asked the swordsman.
"We have our own plans to do like you have yours.," explained Ahab. "Besides, you and him would make an even more direction-challenged person, him and the cyborg would make an idiotic perv...and Vega 40 would be too busy...experimenting."
Vega 40's eyes gave a twinkle as she thought of the possibilities.
Ahab explains, "The fusion of Minerva and Luffy would be a match made in heaven, or perhaps in this case, the Grand Line. Luffy, with his fearless and self-assured nature, would blend seamlessly with Minerva's sagacious knowledge, creating a leader with both brawn and brains. Imagine a being with the heart of a pirate king and the wisdom of an ancient scholar with unshakeable confidence and unyielding strategy."
Franky and Zoro then imagine a hypothetical situation of Luffy and Minerva as a Mecha combined.
"It's for science!," Vega said with her eyes gleaming. "Do it!"
Luffy then looked at Minerva and asked-
"How does combining work?"
She then got closer to Luffy, staring into his eyes, and got closer to his lips as she kissed him much to Zoro and Franky's shock.
Luffy then felt a surge of information as her tongue mixed with his, tasting something ancient and profound, like a secret of the universe hidden in the deepest recesses of her mind. It was as if she had downloaded centuries of knowledge into him, and he felt his brain cells stretching and morphing to contain it all. He pulled away, eyes wide in wonder, his body vibrating with the newfound power coursing through his veins."Wha? I wear you?," Luffy asked. "That's so weird."
"What're you saying? Why did you do that?," asked Franky
"Well, it's the only way we're getting back since they have their own thing to deal with.," explained Minerva.
"What did you do?," asked Zoro.
"It's something I was born with- the ability of Knowledge and Wisdom- being able to transfer it regardless of the intelligence of the person and make them understand in the clearest terms they can understand.," explained Minerva.
"A Devil Fruit?" asked Franky.
Minerva shook her head.
"In any case, you should be able to access my knowledge now, Luffy," said Minerva with a knowing smile. "But remember, with great power comes great... whatever."
"What do we do about them? He hasn't done anything.," Zoro observed seeing Namae and Nero chained up.
"That boy will come to his senses in time.," explained the Classic Line Pirate King.
Bias touched the ground as he said-
"Let's have the two alone to practice. while you get some vital info."
"Oh drats.," Vega 40 cursed.
A magic circle appeared as it flashed dull blue.
Evergreen Jade Island
Zoro, Franky, and Vega 40 were on a vast gardening field with several well-paid workers.
"What're they growing? They all seem weird and familiar...," observed Zoro as Vega 40's eyes shimmered.
"T-These must be!," Vega 40 stuttered.
"These are Devil Fruits! They're like what Caesar Clown was doing, but more refined and look way Super better.," Franky observed.
"It's pretty much the most important aspect of the OLD WORLD. Growing Daemon Plants...or as you like to call them...Devil Plants or Fruits. They act as a deterrent to Haki Overload and are fed to newborns the moment they're born. It used to be the case in the centuries prior to 800 years ago in your Line.," explained Banning.
"Wha? Devil Fruits were more common back then?" asked Franky as Vega 40's eyes glistened as she took notes.
"It's common knowledge here in the OLD WORLD territories, but the practice was surprised for varying amounts of years by branches of the W.G, with the knowledge suppressed till we beat the system that was slowly rotting to its core. The Red Line currently has no knowledge, but they will once they topple their World Nobles.," explained Bias.
"How does it it even work? This whole thing?," asked Zoro bluntly.
Bias shrugged as he looked at the sight.
"You think really hard about you want...till an imagined cloud will then poof into existence.," he said as he thought an imagined cloud appeared much to Zoro and Franky's shock as Vega 40 took notes. He then took out parts and painted them on the island, in the sea, and parts of the mist.
"If you do it here in the earth...you get a Daemon Fruit...there have been attempts to multiply it, but so far a Taboo has been placed to repress it, which annoys a certain faction to no end.," he said as a strange-looking Fruit resembling a cupboard appeared with swirls from the branches of a tree that shot from the ground. From the sea, emerged a similar plant, but it was a vegetable with stripes. And from the mist, emerged a similar cupboard shape, but having diamond patterns.
"Any dirt, water, or clouds can do.," explained Bias. "But if you swap them..." he said as he put the fruit in the waters, causing the vegetable's stripes to become swirls and the fruit's swirls become lines. Then he placed the fruit in the mist, which caused the tomato's diamond patterns to become swirls and the fruit to gain diamond patterns instead. "It becomes the opposite of where it grew from and the other replaces its type."
If you leave some of it in here...or out there!" Bias said as he put a bit of cloud in a cave while he threw another beyond the sky. He summoned a telescope to see its result- a cupboard-shaped bread with a heart symbol. And in the cave sprouted a mushroom version of the cupboard with checkerboard patterns. He then dashed beyond the skies to grab instantly from outer space and then from the cave.
"You get Daemon Breads- the original model and Daemon Mushrooms.," he added.
"Hold on, that's what that lady snake did?" asked Franky.
"Lady Ocean...ya say a vision of her? How was she? We be knowin' her only through ancient myth records!" inquired Bias.
"Does this have anything to do with back home?," asked Zoro.
"Once you're ready...you'll understand the full picture.," explained Bias.
"So are they done?" asked Vega 40. "What's the result gonna be?... Does it have you know?" She gestured to her privates as Franky stared in horror.
Shitty old man...what did you teach her?, thought the cyborg.
"You'll know when you see them.," explained the pirate.
"I have a question separate from all of this...were you former Marines?," asked Zoro as Bias sighed.
"Wha?," asked Franky.
"The attire gives the hint that it was once a uniform but has since been modified. It seems like you're moving onto a new life.," Vega 40 remarked.
"Can't get it past you...we were on the wrong side for generations after what you called the Void Century but thought it was right because it was all we knew...till Ahab started to question the system...and found certain truths... as you'll find them. And how you'll react might be different from us.," explained the doctor.
After a long pause, Bias noticed a light in the distance.
"Guess it's time.," he said.
Deep Blue Island
The duo were on an island that was covered in deep blue flowers.
Luffy was shocked at what she showed him via something.
"So you're saying, I'm gonna lose the moment I find a way to go back as I am?," asked Luffy as Minerva nodded.
Luffy turned around obstinately as he replied-
"I always bounce back, even if I lose a lot in getting the win eventually."
"This isn't something to bounce back from. They're trying to prove your resolve is inferior. They are born with an entitled superiority and that means they're do anything to keep it- including dropping all pretenses to kill you on the spot with no fanfare.," explained Minerva.
"Then someone will inherit my will.," replied Luffy.
"Listen. You're not fully aware of what you're capable of...and-," Minerva tried to reason before suddenly a figure warped from a magic circle of black from the sky to warp downwards to the two.
It was a young-appearing girlish-looking male with medium-long grey hair and a dull green kimono. Their closed eyes revealed a maddening black sclera with red eyes and their grin widened.
Shimotsuki Kimoi- No. 10 of KATANA.
Kimoi chipped with an undertone of insincerity beneath the laidback tone, "Master Byakuo was really pissed off when Blackbeard stole TEMPEST and fucked up Wano while we barely got away. Now I'm doing king-slaying duty! I mean he already has the crown! But he's doing a shitty job- one of his territories vanished in a flash and he's non the wiser! I bet they all blame him! He's such a pathetic excuse- the Gol offered his life to the Monkey under the crap brotherly bromance he had going on with him with some faint looney idea he was gonna be Pirate King. Sorry, Sorry, I tend to ramble on!"
Luffy crackled his knuckles and entered Gear 5, his body becoming a blur of light and shadow as he prepared to face this new opponent. The white Warrior's attack is blocked both physically and negating the Haki Infusion.
"Oi, Dragon's bastard! I wasn't ready. Lemme get out my Lascivious so we can-," said Kimoi before seeing Minerva with Ponegylph runes covering her legs.
"Enchanted Owl Stomp.," she declared as she kicked his head into the ground, but he generated tentacles around his neck to guard from being shoved into the earth.
"I ate the Tentacle-Tentacle Fruit. I'm Shimotsuki Kimoi. I'm no. 10 of KATANA- a World Noble affiliated group. I'm a Shimotsuki...hey, Straw Hat crown freeloader, did you know that your Zoro is a Shimotsuki too? You should be careful. Treachery is in his Lineage-," he said Luffy used a Dawn Pistol on him...only for an anvil to drop on Luffy, which caused far more damage than a "normal" attack.
"Kimoi-moi-moi-moi. You've been using Crazy Haki in that base-level peak form of yours without even knowing about it?" asked the swordsman as he pulled out a sword with an octopus sword guard that generated tentacles from the guard.
"Hey, Minerva. Free Takoyaki!," Luffy shouted. "Oi, what's Crazy Haki?"
"Oh he's for real?!," Kimoi observed. "This is a riot! Kaido was also a novice riding off the coattails of the Rocks Pirates. Say, you know all about it...being a former member of the same crew as Big Mom, Whitebeard, Shiki, Kaido, and...Crimson Leg Zephyr among others."
"Crimson...Zephyr?," asked Luffy as Minerva sang-
In yonder glade whence fair winds blow,
'Neath moonlit veil the blossoms grow,
With hues of azure, deep and bright,
The spirits dance in softer light.
Oh, Deep Blue Flowers, guardians rare,
They whisper secrets on the air,
With petals spun from twilight's grace,
They weave enchantment in this place.
Chorus:
Sing, oh sing, of flowered dreams,
Where light and shadow waltz in streams,
Beneath the stars, let melodies soar,
For Deep Blue Spirits, we adore.
In twilight's hush, they gently sway,
'Tis there our troubled hearts must stay,
Each fragrance holds a tale untold,
Of love and loss and valor bold.
With laughter sweet like a brook's soft song,
They guide the weary, help them along,
With every petal cast to ground,
In gentle whispers, their hopes abound.
Chorus:
Sing, oh sing, of flowered dreams,
Where light and shadow waltz in streams,
Beneath the stars, let melodies soar,
For Deep Blue Spirits, we adore.
So heed, ye wanderers, take ye care,
In forest deep where magic's rare,
With every bloom, a spirit's breath,
In life's embrace, they conquer death.
As dawn's first light doth brush the morn,
The Deep Blue Flower Spirits, reborn,
Shall guard our dreams till night takes flight,
With love and laughter, through the night.
Chorus:
Sing, oh sing, of flowered dreams,
Where light and shadow waltz in streams,
Beneath the stars, let melodies soar,
For Deep Blue Spirits, we adore.
As she sang, several of the flowers began to coalesce into a collective of several golems of blue flowers.
"Oh, shit. I forgot you're a Magus too. It's like your existence is inherently unholy- from both times you've been born to this world.," remarked Kimoi as he generated tentacles from his body and his sword, Lascivious to ensnare the golems.
Minerva then sang-
O hark, good people, draw ye near,
Of Sir Highborn, a tale most drear,
His heart full swell'd with prideful gold,
A spirit fierce, a life untold.
"Sorry, Sorry. I can't bother with your annoying spells of the light. Gotta use Normal Haki now!," Kimoi said as he generated hands on some of the tentacles as they clapped, emitting a field wave that turned the colors inverted. Suddenly, the guardians returned to normal and Minerva's voice lost its more ethereal tone.
Luffy also noticed that his "Free Form" was outright canceled much to his bewilderment.
"Hey, what's the big idea?," asked Luffy. "You did something, you damn octopus brat!"
"He doesn't know much does he?," Kimoi remarked sardonically. "This is Normal Haki- if Crazy Haki is what allows one to fuck with reality's rules, this allows reality to fuck the rule breakers right back. Removing their freedom for a limited time! Stronger guys can cancel out an attempt by Normal Haki, but now you're just a rubber man and no demigod, much like how the bint is now just a long-lived cunt."
"What're you talkin' about? I've always been a rubber man. It's just Gear 5 makes me do freer things. Rubber can do anything.," Luffy replied bluntly.
"Kimoi-moi-moi! He's achieved it out of sheer ignorance. Our almighty idiot! Still, it's better to cut to the chase and just finish him off!," Kimoi said with his tentacles wrapping around Luffy as electrical sparks ensnared him suggestively.
"Oh, you're immune to this. We got intel from Wano...and from Skypeia from certain informants that will make you question your loyalties. How's about shocking spikes to enter every hole-," Kimoi said before Minerva generated a warping black circle that sliced the tentacles.
"Tch. Forgot you're a Logia on top of everything. One of your three powers since you have the predisposition of a Ruler.," complained Kimoi.
"You know my Awakening makes your attempts of fleeing less optimal.," remarked Kimoi as the ground began to writhe with tendrils.
After Minerva, had carried Luffy away into the deep blue trees at a moment's notice, she let him down and decided to lift the back of her shirt.
"Hey, you're pretty strong outside of your singing? What was that he was talking all about?," asked Luffy.
"Normal Haki can also negate Haki Infusion, Conquerors Haki, and any of our usual tricks on our own.," Minerva replied. "As for what I know...you'll understand by being one with me for this fight. We don't have any options, especially since he's an Awakened. It's a matter of moments before his tentacles reach here as well."
Luffy then noticed that she had a certain symbol.
"I've seen someone with this mark before.," noted the Straw Hat Captain in a more serious tone. "So is he one of those fish-bowl guys?"
Minerva nodded as she replied, "I'm just as bad as you in articulating what I've been through or wanting to talk about it. You'll understand. Please, we don't have time for ego. Just do it and if you don't want to do it again, we'll find another way- bouncing back from defeat."
Luffy could instinctively tell this wasn't that kind of situation as he gulped and looked with a blushed awkward look.
"S-sure. I've done something weird like this before, but this...giant named Riri- I mean Lily Enstomach entered me and made me tougher. Guess you're "eating" me for a short time.," he replied, as he subconsciously corrected himself to his surprise in terms of naming.
Enough time had passed as he entered his freedom form, touching her back as it unzipped to reveal a "void" of sorts for him to enter.
"Ready? Im going in.," Luffy said as he inched towards the manifested opening of Minerva's back- turning her into a "rubber suit"- one of the Awakened powers of his true Devil Fruit he learned via Minerva, but not hadn't discovered everything- especially of the truest nature of the power.
"Yeah, sure. It's so free and wide inside. So you don't have to be gentle, but just relax.," she said as she glanced back,
"Here I go- I'm going all the way inside. So weird...," Luffy said as he entered Minerva's body via the opening.
"This feels incredible. Feels better than I thought. I feel warm. And you feel so moist. Go all the way in.", Minerva's voice rang inside Luffy went inside and she blushed.
"Stop saying that. It sounds ecchi.," Luff argued as he fully entered as the opening closed.
"Honestly, I was worried about how things would turn out, but they seem to be fine-," Minerva said before her appearance became more masculine as her dark attire of femininity changed-
They now wore a long, loose, red coat with yellow straw padding around the neck/shoulders over their muscular male body with Luffy's X-Scar. Luffy's yellow sash was now purple, they had blue baggy pants tipped with white cotton at the bottom of the legs and were complete with brown sandals. They had Luffy's scar on the left side of the face and Minerva's Indigo hair trailed off into Luffy's black spiky hair that led to it being waist-length in total. They had a purple solid loop emerging from the back and wore dark purple fingerless gloves that blended into the dark purple armbands.
As they looked at the reflection of their combined self, they couldn't help but laugh due to Luffy's influence on the combination. The fusion was successful, and their combined strength was palpable. They flexed their arms, feeling the power surge through their new form. The fusion had not only changed their physical appearance but had also merged their personalities, creating a unique blend of Luffy's reckless courage and Minerva's strategic mind. They were now ready to face the challenges ahead, stronger and more unpredictable than ever before.
"It's weird but we feel like we're free to do things we normally wouldn't be able to.," said the fusion of Luffy and Minerva, their voice a blend of both.
"Luffy and Minerva...We have issues to work out with, "Mom and Dad", but that's for later.," remarked the merger as they levitated above the forest as it was now generating tentacles from every direction.
One of the tentacles opened in a suggestively womb-like manner as Kimoi emerged in a very suggestive pose.
"Oi, big guy. Where's the witch-bitch and the stretchy retard?," asked Kimoi.
"Who the hell do you think you're calling names?," the merged Luffy-Minerva snapped. "We're Monkey D. Luffy: Minerva Mantle. You have serious issues all around."
"I feel your Haki's a blend of the two.," remarked the swordsman as their mouth became agape as tentacles spewed from the opening to ensnare the combined individual.
"Gomu: Void Slicer Pistol.," said Luffy-Minerva Mantle as they punched the tentacles, the spaces between the tendrils slicing in increments much to Kimoi's surprise. The Haki traveled from the fist right into his vital organs as he spat out blood, but then was punched a second time- this time for real as the limb lengthened.
"How can you...?" Kimoi gasped, his eyes widening in shock.
"Whoa. This is great. Haki Infusion combined with instantaneous void manifestation...wow, that sounds smart, Minerva to make us say something really smart...," said Luffy-Minerva Mantle as they scratched the back of their head with Luffy mannerisms.
"Well, it's expected since it combines our attributes Luffy.," the figure replied with Minerva mannerisms.
"I really have to know what's going on? I'll reach inside and test how much of a freak you are now. More than you were before you became a bloody tranny.," Kimoi remarked.
Suddenly, the clouds manifested tendrils as they entered into Luffy-Minerva Mantle...only for the body to have manifested "mouths".
"Gomu: Gluttony Munch-Munch.," the fusion declared as the mouths began to slurp up the tendrils as Kimoi felt a tug...quickly canceling out that aspect of the Awakening.
"Y-you're crazy! You're a cannibal!," Kimoi yelled aloud, being frizzled by the bizarre tactic.
"We're going to have to get used to it.," said the Fusion with Minerva's mannerisms as they expanded into a ball.
"Gomu: Rolling Boulder.," said the merger as they began to bounce and roll towards Kimoi. The swordsman then realized what was happening as they ran the other way, desiring not to be flattened.
The fusion and the enemy left the island in a comedic fashion.
Evergreen Jade Island
Vega 40's enhanced vision saw a pair arriving in the distance.
"I think it worked...," explained the scientist as she removed her eyes as they became binoculars with a second set replacing them.
"What do you mean?," asked Franky before doing a double take. "Wait, you're more robot than I am?!"
"Yeah...it was because of what I went through, but also due to testing my limits with my Devil...Daemon powers.," she explained.
"Hardly, the weirdest thing that we...," Zoro noted as he picked up the binoculars and was surprised at the sight.
Kimoi dashed at high speeds as a Minerva-headed ball rolled and bounced toward the youth.
"You're going to regret this! I'm the descendant of Shimotsuki Ryuma via the arranged marriage of the Celestial Dragons before he decided to really screw things over with his isolation policies!," the youth complained. "The other bitch from Vira doesn't count!"
Kimoi then realized the existence of the shocked Straw Hats as he generated tentacles with hands to grab them.
"Shimotsuki...that's Yasuie and Toko's family...," noted Zoro as he sliced the tendrils nonchalantly.
"Tch. Hooks of Under Tow.," Kimoi declared as he generated markings on his skin with aquamarine and ocean wave and dark swirl markings.
The next moment, the shadows around Luffy-Minerva's crew began to coalesce into tentacle-like shapes, the darkness stretching out from the ground. The tentacles grew more and more defined, and the ocean waves began to crash in the background as if in sync with the new power being displayed. The shadows grew denser and more menacing, the air around them becoming charged with an eerie energy.
Zoro entered Asura Mode, realizing how tough they were to ward them off.
However, it was just a ploy as smaller tendrils entered into the ears of Zoro. They attempted to do the same to Franky and Vega 40, but electrical surges from their mechanical nature repelled them.
"Hearer Feeler.," explained Kimoi as Zoro began to exhibit swelled veins against his ears. He then went silent and stared blankly as if possessed.
"What's going on?," asked Franky as she looked over to Zoro doing a bow before Kimoi.
"Oi, Namae. Stop fuckin' around.," said the swordsman in the distance as something froze and someone flew to their location.-
It was Namae, with a placid look who had freed himself while leaving Nero behind to aid Kimoi as the Pirate Hunter walked toward him.
"Facing you two as a literal symbol of a married couple is dangerous. Better to even the odds three-to-one. Me, your argumentative first mate in all but name...and oh, Mojigo Namae...or (BEEP)...damnit, I wanna say it for dramatic effect!," Kimoi attempted to gloat but found they couldn't say the name.
Luffy-Minerva narrowed their eyes realizing the situation.
Next Chapter: I Have Many Names
Author Notes: Mantle is something that will really benefit the crew as the fights will continue to escalate in terms of difficulty as well as build their bonds closer. It's my answer to the Fusion Dance and Fusion from Steven Universe (even if I find some of its execution of ideas questionable). Regardless, it gives Luffy and co. the ability to fight freely beyond their usual limitations both physically and mentally.
I give complete credit for the Daemon production idea to a follower of my work- bloodgod888. His work is very, very good.