I wish I had some big explanation for why this is late, but really just didn't want to be, as evidenced by my computer regularly spazzing out while I try to type, the cursor jumping around randomly, selecting entire lines in the middle of my words so I accidently delete them with a single button press. Thankfully, I have the Undo button, but it's so annoying. Well, I have had this computer for four years or so and refuse to pay for an antivirus, so maybe that's just caught up to me... Eh, I've dealt with it this far.
Anyway, sorry for the delay! Thank you for waiting: Alison Carrillo, Andrew Bohl, Animephilosopher1, Ankhseram123, Anna Khuu, anony, Ant Franklin, Cam Bliss, Claude Walker, Cordell Sanders, Cory Johnston, Darko129, David, Daemon Targaryen, David Bowling, David Reynolds, Emi Stafford, Eugene Malone Jr., EvilJelly, Fenrir ragnarok, Garvin Lee Nelson-Mathlin, GODA98, Immagenius, Inucbus, Javier Andres Estrada, JEP1010, Jkat, John Mekjian, Jonathan Moh, Joseph Baty, Joseph Morrison, Joseph Vargas, Joshua Groves, Karen Carrillo, Kcx1, kevin Calderon, Korakas, Lamont Hale, MAEGHT Maxime, Majin buu, Marielle Orff, Matt Walther, Matthew Burley, McBanjo, Mcgin28, Michael Enqvist, Milagros Peres Davila, Milla, Pez, Powerful Loki, Rafael Cardenas, ReactedLyric, Richard Barkley, Riley Bolerjack, Ryuu, Sasha, Shaun Guard, Siddiq Morris, TheWolfThatExist, Thomas Sanders, Tom Peissig, and ViewtifulSoul!
Well, onto the chapter!
Chapter 70:
Return
"You know, I've never tried my own hand at painting," Zekiel commented, "but I've seen and stolen plenty of them. I think this scene would make a pretty good one. The lighting, the colors, the drama. This could be classic by a master like Michotello or Donofiel. I'd call it 'The Death of Tri-Horn'."
"You're not going to win."
"We'll see about that."
Zekiel let go, Coby's eyes widening as gravity took hold of him. He fell.
"Coby!"
A pulse seemed to race across the island, but Grace and Coby had other things more concerning to think about. Grace watched as the pink of his hair disappeared over the ridge, his wide, blue eyes shocked as they stared at the sky. He'd never fallen from such a height before and he had neither his swords nor his allies. There was no guarantee he'd survive the fall.
"Grace, I—!"
"Ciento Fluer: Net!"
Numerous arms bloomed from the cliffside as the Zoan fell over the edge, the roset falling into them with a strained sigh of relief. Zekiel Jone spun, his face twisting into a snarl as two women practically fell out of the castle, one with black hair wearing the uniform of the lesser Doflamingo pirates and with her arms crossed as she laid atop of one with orange hair. Behind them was another raven-haired woman dressed in local attire.
"Robin!" Grace gasped, comprehending that Coby was no longer at risk. "Nami! ...Robin, what the hell are you wearing?"
"Everything has an explanation," the archeologist replied, letting the navigator push her off. "For now, we should focus on settling this minor skirmish."
"Woah now," the Doflamingo Lacky tried, putting his hands up and backing away slowly. He was well and truly surrounded by pirates out for his blood; he just needed to stall until he found a way out. "Don't you think four on one is a bit unfair?"
"Oh, you didn't get the memo?" Nami chuckled, tossing Grace her paints that all instantly took to the air, forming spheres around her. "We're pirates. We don't care."
"Right. Well then, I always did tell Doffy I was here for a good time, not a long time. G'day, lassies."
He ran, kicking Baby 5, Lao G, and Buffalo as he charged past them. Before any of the female pirates or Viola could react, Zekiel Jone, the thief called the King of Arts, dove off the side of the cliff. Coby, still suspended in a net of limbs, reached out to try to grab his arm but did not have the reach he needed for such. Zekiel fell a good majority of the cliff before angling himself toward the wall, using his key transformations to slow himself somewhere far below. Coby let out a heavy sigh before the net began pulling him upward.
Down below, all over the city, toys were regaining their human forms, though not all toys had been human. Civilians, dwarves, feral animals, soldiers, marines, and pirates alike felt sun on their own skin for the first time in nearly a decade for some. This, of course, caused levels of chaos never before seen in the country as nearly every person remembered someone who had been taken from them by the reigning monarch. Their shouts of anger and demands for blood echoed across the country and up to the top of Castle Plateau.
The three Doflamingo Pirates were beginning to stir, not fully aware after having Luffy knock them unconscious and then Zekiel kick them to bring them back to the land of the living. Coby ignored them for the minute, running to the group of women where Grace offered him Hoshokusha and Emono, the Zoan gratefully accepting them.
"Robin, what happened?" Nami asked, helping her fellow female to her feet.
"Doflamingo has a crewmate that can turn others into toys with only a touch. I can only assume that something happened to her, causing the transformation to revert and restore everyone's memories. I must say, I find myself with a newfound appreciation of simple pleasures like breathing." She blinked. "Ah, so that is what Zoro referred to. How interesting."
"What about Zoro-sensei?" Coby questioned.
"He, myself, and the former Warlord Jinbei were all under the effects of Sugar's Devil Fruit. Zoro and I worked together in that state despite both lacking knowledge of each other. Thankfully, we were able to establish report with each other utilizing incomplete memories."
The wall exploded, flinging dust and debris through the air. Coby grew into his Armor Mode, using his bone-covered body as a shield for his softer and squishier companions. The dust cleared slowly, revealing the respective captains of the pirate crews on the ground, glaring at each other. Neither had made it through their battle unscathed, bruises littering their visible skin while cuts and other tears marred their clothing.
"Your crew are certainly resilient, Straw Hat," Doflamingo sneered. "They act as decent meat shields."
"I don't treat my friends as game pieces like you do," Luffy shot back. He stood, ready to respond if the taller man felt inclined to go on the attack again. Rather than that, Doflamingo turned away, staring out over his city.
"It seems Sugar as been defeated," he mused. "Well, I was growing tired of this stagnant life." He pointed his fingers at the group, Luffy and Coby reacting on account of their excellent Observation Haki. Luffy's fists blackened, each one grabbing several treads in the air before they could reach their targets. Coby deflected with his swords, whisps of darkness trying to congeal around the blades but not quite there. Still, it was enough to redirect the threads he blocked into the earth. Doflamingo grinned, dropping his hand. "Run along, Straw Hat, and take that traitor with you. We'll play more soon enough."
Luffy stared but Nami and the others decided to accept the terms. His wife reached forward, setting a hand on the captain's shoulder to pull him back. Even then, he never let his eyes leave Doflamingo, something that each of the others did in half measures themselves.
As he let them leave —today was too fun to let it end so soon, after all— Doflamingo turned to his minions that were still getting to their feet. His smile dropped.
"Did you three have a nice nap?" he asked, all three freezing as cold chills ran up their spines. Instantly, Lao G ignoring the screaming and cracking of his joints, the trio prostrated themselves before their captain and king.
"Y-Y-Y-Your H-H-H—" the stuttered.
"Stand up," the Celestial Dragon ordered. "We have more games to play. It seems most of the action is happening in the Corrida Colosseum according to my Observation. Go there and help Diamante and the others."
"But Captain," Baby 5 began, studying the destruction of the castle. "What about Law?"
"He's been crippled," the blond waved. "Besides, I already have someone handling that. You three have your orders. Go."
The trio ran for the cliff, Buffalo jumping first and activating his Devil Fruit powers before the other two landed on his back. Doflamingo watched them go for a minute before letting himself go, a deep, full belly laugh echoing from him.
"Now this is entertainment!"
Some time before...
"Buuhihihi," Trebol laughed, his goo flinging debris off himself. Civilians scurried away from the site, even the owner of the building which he'd just plowed into unable to do more that. "You must think that just because some of your friends got away that you're going to win. Too bad it's never turned out well for anyone before."
"Clearly, you don't know what the Straw Hat Pirates are capable of," Zoro the knife-wielding gorilla plush replied. Trebol swallowed a laugh, finding the whole situation rather amusing. It was not every day one was threatened by a toy and a skeleton, after all. Then again, this was the New World. Still, the skeleton was new.
"I quite agree," Brook nodded, slashing Soul Solid through the air as if he had muscles to warm up. "I may not recall what Zoro claims to be capable of, but if he says he is the true first mate to our captain, then I know we have nothing to fear from the likes of you."
"You're all going to die," Trebol reiterated. "Slowly and painfully. And that's if you're lucky. The unlucky ones will go to the Marines and be tossed in Impel Down, or worse, Doffy takes a personal interest in your suffering." He grinned a sick grin. "He's merciless. The last one lasted a month."
"Too bad his reign will end today," Zoro said, charging forward. Trebol expected such speed from the toy now that he'd seen it before, the only fleshy man whipping up one of his hands. Sticky goo rose at his command, hardening enough that Zoro's Kochou scraped against it. He growled, black mist forming around his lone blade.
"Do not think yourself victorious!" Brook warned, using his lighter body to speed around the obstruction, his own sword stabbing forward. Trebol squealed as the blade punched through his cloak several times over, aiming for non-vitals. "Indeed, this battle is over."
"Sure, for you." Apparently uninjured from the attack, Trebol reached forward with a hand, grabbing Brook's neck vertebrae with his goo. He whipped around, flinging the screaming skeleton —how dare said skeleton not have a windpipe to throttle!— away. Brook didn't go far, however, Zoro appeared under the partially-realized attack, Kochou coated in a distinctive black sheen. It sliced through the goo like butter despite its rough edge.
Trebol's eyes widened, the man scurrying backwards as the toy landed. There was an uncomfortable gleam in the gorilla's button eyes, one that promised pain for the Devil Fruit user.
"S-Sticky Land: Teal Tar!" Goo practically exploded from the man in a wave, a wall of pale blue speeding toward the pair of inhuman human pirates, the sheer force and power of the wall causing the buildings nearby to crumble upon contact.
Zoro grunted, slashing upward. The cut of air was black, splitting the sticky-man's attack vertically, leaving the toy and the skeleton safe in a thin strip of clear area even as everything on either side was painted blue. Trebol's eyes narrowed, the man's hands reaching forward as if to grab the goo. He pulled his hands together, the slime surging in toward Zoro from all sides.
"The winds of hell blow as cold as the chill of death," Brook commented, the surrounding temperature plummeting. Trebol gasped, his breath coming out in a visible puff, as all his goo was frozen.
"Wh-What?" the man stammered. "Impossible!"
"Nothing is impossible," Brook responded with his back to Zoro's own (as much as their size difference allowed), his expression as satisfied and mocking as a skull could be. Soul Solid slid back into its sheath. "Especially not for the Straw Hat Pirates."
"Luffy is the man who will be King of the Pirates," Zoro picked up, slashing with Kochou twice. Each swing produced enough Armament-Haki-laden force to shatter the frozen goop on each side. Zoro would have grinned if his toy face were able to; it was clear all his training with Gin had paid off. "Compared to that, what's the tyrant of a small country?"
"Quit speaking nonsense!" Trebol screamed. "Doffy is a hundred times the man your captain could ever be! He's the only one who could ever hold this world in the palm of his hand! The Doflamingo Familia will not be outdone by a tiny group of pirates from the East!"
"Keep telling yourself that," Zoro said, the smirk evident in his voice. "We've heard it all before."
"Then this is where it comes true." Trebol stomped, launching himself into the air with a pillar of sticky goo. He raised his hands, that same pale blue covering his fingers before he threw them downward. "Sticky Meteors!"
"18-Caliber Swarm!" Zoro decided to take a page from his student's book, slashing Kochou through the air to produce multiple attacks. Each one impacted one of the goo meteors, causing the sticky projectiles to split. They impacted the buildings around their battlefield with a horrific schlorp sound, two of the buildings not able to withstand even the viscous liquid state of the goo.
"Zoro!" Brook called. The toy didn't need to respond, instantly lifting the dagger he wielded so the skeleton could jump off the flat of its blade. Trebol's eyes widened as Soul Solid aimed for a tighter cluster in the center of his chest. "Audubade Right-Hand Strike!"
Trebol crossed his arms and hardened the goo of his sleeves, but it wasn't enough to fend off the rapier completely. He hissed, the blade lacerating his hands and arms even if his defense protected his chest. The force sent both fighters back, Trebol hitting the ground with enough force to knock the breath from his lungs.
The green gorilla plush stalked toward him, Kochou scraping on the ground behind him. Trebol tried to flee, backing away. Something thrummed in the air, almost as if pulse raced across the country. Zoro began to glow, his plush body starting to deform and grow larger. Trebol's eyes widened.
"No no no!" he hissed. "Sticky Whip!"
"Too late." A katana slashed forward, cutting through the whip along its length, Trebol pulling back with a cry as the flying slash bit into his hand as well. Zoro stepped forward, now returned to his human form, Wado Ichimonji in one hand and Kochou in the other. "Looks like the jig is up."
"Shit, that stupid brat," the man growled. "I hope she died or I'll kill her myself for failing Doffy like this."
"I do not believe you have time for such plans," Brook pointed out, stepping up to stand beside the green-haired swordsman. "Wonderful to have you back, Zoro."
"Good to be back, Brook."
"Well, I guess this means you'll get to die in your own body!" Trebol yelled. He wasn't a fighter, but he'd been in enough scraps to know he stood no chance against the pair of swordsmen before him. If he had any hope of getting away, he would need to distract them long enough to run. Throwing caution to the wind, he charged, spinning to fling his coat at the pirates. "Sticky Surprise!"
"One Sword Style: Death Lion's Song."
Trebol froze, Zoro appearing behind him. The man had placed Kochou in his mouth, his now-free hands slowly sliding Wado Ichimonji back into its sheath. With the click, Trebol felt himself split at the waist, his upper body falling to the earth. He gasped for breath, staring at his legs, his emaciated body that he'd always hid in his sticky coat now in the open air for all to see.
"N-No…" he stuttered, trying to grab the goo of his coat. It would not heed his call as it always had, his vain struggles lessening. "Doffy… Doffy…! I-I'm sorry… S-Save me…" He went limp, blood staining his coat.
"Was that truly necessary, Zoro?" Brook asked, stepping around the warm body of Doflamingo's right-hand man. "Will this not enrage Doflamingo more than our simple resistance?"
"An enemy who lets their emotions control them is an enemy easily defeated," Zoro replied. He studied the dagger in his hand, noting that it had seemed a lot bigger when he was a toy. He had no use for it now —though he could wield it effectively, thank you very much— but it was still a named Wano blade. It would not do to leave it. He carefully tucked it into his haremaki, ripping away the clothes he'd stolen from a Doflamingo grunt before the debacle in the Toy House. "Besides, we didn't have time to screw around with this clown. We don't need him getting back up for round two later."
"I suppose that's—" The ground rumbled, the entire island shaking as a hulking figure rose on one side of the island. Brook gasped. "That's near the docks where Sunny is!"
"What‽ We need to go!" Zoro turned, running the wrong direction down an alley.
"Zoro, wait! It's this way!"
Thunder Soldier felt the change before it began, a heat burning through his body in a way he had long since never expected from his animate-but-barely-organic form. He grew taller, the sudden shift of his balance causing him to fall off the roller-skates he had learned to use to get around quickly. The dwarves nearby jumped away as the general they had all come to trust was surrounded by a faint glow that obscured his body. At the same time, that same glow covered Rapaz, the robot gasping in a clearly-feminine voice from where it —she— was still pinned to the ground with Leo's string.
"Thunder Soldier!" a number of the dwarves called, the former workers and tied-up humans watching the transformation in shock.
For the first time since Doflamingo's arrival, the gladiatorial warrior Kyros took a proper breath. He was tall and muscular, his human body having apparently been frozen in time during his stint as a toy. His hair was black as the night, wavy hair rolling past his shoulders while a trimmed goatee sat upon his chin. He was dressed in a light green shirt that was tight enough to show his chiseled muscles beneath and dark green subligaculum under a red cape held in place with a bronze clasp. One of his legs was still missing, the cut clean and not bleeding. A scar crossed the center of his forehead, old but not faded.
He laughed, a bright smile coming to his face as he let himself feel the world around. His toy body had never had a sense of touch, so he relished the feel of the grass and the warmth of the sunlight streaming in through the glass ceiling.
"Finally," he said. "Finally, after all this time, my curse is lifted! Rebecca can remember me again! Doflamingo's reign ends today! Hahahaha!" He panted, glancing up to see Leo's worried expression. He gave a small chuckle for the dwarf before rolling onto his front, using his strong arms to push himself up onto his one leg. "Sorry, Leo. I suppose we haven't been properly introduced. Though you knew me as Thunder Soldier, my real name is Kyros."
"You're the statue guy!" a female dwarf with light-blue hair commented, her name Wicke. "The one from the Colosseum that Rebecca likes! I remember seeing it before!"
"Indeed, I am," Kyros confirmed. "That was a long time ago, however, and we have more pressing matters than the past. We must first rescue the future."
"I don't know who you people are, but I'd be dreadfully thankful if you were to take me along," a voice said, turning eyes to the woman in the place the robotic dinosaur had filled. Her face and hair were soaked but most of her clothing seemed dry, the woman pinned to the ground.
"And you are?" the former gladiator prompted.
"Dr. Velori Velo, at your service. I'd offer my hand, but I seem to be in quite the dreadful situation. That fat-chested bird-cow Monet abducted me and her little devil of a sister turned me into that thing. It was quite the dreadful experience."
"Yes, I imagine it was," Kyros agreed. "I take it, then, that you would see Doflamingo brought low as well?"
"At this point, I just want to get back to Wano and my wonderful Queen so dreadfully bad. If Doflamingo's fall gets me there, I'm willing to help."
"Then our goals are aligned," the man nodded, using his sword to cut the line holding the woman down. She rose, rubbing her hands. "Come! We should make haste to the Colosseum and capitalize on the chaos of Sugar's defeat!"
"Yeah!" The dwarves cheered, running after the now-hopping Kyros while leaving behind the tied-up pirates. Velo took a moment's pause so the dwarves passed her, the woman then reaching for a piece of charcoal in the waste pit.
"I don't know what is happening outside," she told the guards, "but it would be dreadfully irresponsible of me to leave this as is. Farewell." She snapped the fingers of her right hand twice, causing a spark that lit the charred wood. With the piece lit, she dropped it on a dried patch of grass, the flora igniting instantly.
The men's cries for her to wait fell on deaf ears, the scientist running to catch up to the Tontatta as the fire spread behind her.
After all, the only one who should be able to grow SMILEs should be her captain. Now she just needed a chance to get away with her secrets to ensure the dominance of the Beast Pirates.
The chaos in the Corrida Colosseum had spread beyond the broken arena, gladiators, revolutionaries, pirates of all persuasions, and marines all embroiled in what almost looked to be a free-for-all to the unobservant observer. There were two sides of this fight, but without the uniforms of the Doflamingo Pirates or the marines, the growing resistance against the Warlord king was all but lost in a sea color scattered over the stands. Even then, pirates and marines that were supposed to be on the same side didn't appear to have too many conniptions about taking an opportunity to reduce the other's number, firing blindly into crowded areas. The fighting had even spilled into the hallways of the structure, the gladiators within each choosing a side for themselves.
Such was this chaos that even the detransition of various toys into humans and feral animals did little to increase the nature of the battle. Perhaps it helped that many of the previous toys in the area had had the effects of Sugar's Devil Fruit washed away upon the destruction of the arena and the subsequent underground flooding, but every sentient chose their side quickly, even the few in marine garb. At this point, they were too angry at Doflamingo to care about his status.
"Shit," Monet hissed, her pretty features now marred with sweat and rage, the harpy panting as she alighted upon a broken piece of concrete. Everywhere she looked was another piece of evidence for her sister's failure to maintain their oppressive plan. Now, even should Doflamingo come out on top, Sugar's chances of survival were not certain. And with the Marines now aware of what Doflamingo had used Sugar for, there was little chance of him maintaining his powerful position.
In relation to the immediate battle, the Straw Hat allies were easily outnumbered four-to-one, but the Doflamingo grunts and rank-and-file marines had never been on the same level as any real pirate or Colosseum veteran. That was not to say the rival pirates and allies were pulling through without losses, but the power dynamic was mostly in their favor individually.
An outer wall of the building all but exploded, the giant Hajrudin busting his way out. Marines foolishly fired on him in the street, cementing his choice of which side to fight for despite the new burns scarring on one arm and across half his face.
"Idiots," the harpy growled, the temperature around her dropping unnaturally. "Idiots, all of them."
The only solace were the powerful few fighting on the side of her captain. Below, Señor Pink gave the Super Rookie Bartolomeo the run around —or swim around, as his Devil Fruit allowed— despite the weight he'd gained during her time on Punk Hazard. The green-haired barrier-man couldn't fend him off well when Pink could dive under his translucent walls, the rookie resorting to last-moment shields regularly.
In the stands on the other side, the battle between the Weightless Woman and Machvise had left numerous craters that would be a pain for those tasked with fixing them. Both had similar powers, Machvise's leaning more toward raw force while the woman's have a level of finesse the man could never hope to match. Anyone who got near them, friend or foe to either side, found themselves crushed or blown away from the battle of ever-changing masses.
Diamante found himself crossing blades with four swordsmen as well as in a constant state of motion to avoid the bullets fired by the Killer Crossdresser. Monet knew little about the samurai of Wano or swordplay in general, but she could tell that both the former king and his granddaughter were simply outmatched by Diamante and the samurai, the latter keeping the former in check enough that the two royals had not been immediately slaughtered.
That crew that had allied themselves to Doflamingo a year ago, the Crescent Blades, had amassed and charged as one unit at the Devil's Luck, the pirate-turned-revolutionary laughing as he basically toyed with the all-female pirate crew. Normally, Monet would've commenting something about the sexist disparity of five women losing to a single man, but at this point it was a battle of experience, something William D. Chapston had over two decades more of than the younger women. His Haki, both Armament and Observation, appeared far more refined than anything the Crescent Blades could produce.
And then there were the marines in the fight, their own skill levels covering nearly every range of the gamut. Most of them were little more than fodder and meat shields, only ten or twelve actually having the skills to face a gladiator in single combat, while most formed impromptu groups of three or more to increase their chances of survival. More than a few marine spies inside the competition had crawled out of the woodwork, the most notable being—
"Spot Drop!"
"Shaking Fist!"
Vice-Admiral Dalmatian's foot stopped six inches from Sabo's fist, the air between them cracking unnaturally as the pair growled at each other, their Haki causing black lightning to flicker. Dalmatian was a tall man with the Dog-Dog Fruit: Model Dalmatian, yet another piece of evidence that some divine creator —be it the mythical Goda or otherwise— played with the fabric of their world. In his hybrid form, the top half of the marine's head took the appearance of his namesake, floppy ears and all. Otherwise, he was a buff man with a broad chest, gladiatorial clothing hiding little under his marine coat.
On their other side, Lieutenant Commander Drake and Vice-Admiral Maynard, two other marine plants, faced off against Sabo's companions. Both the girl and the fishman managed to keep the marines on their toes despite the men's best efforts to end their fights quickly, the revolutionaries trading opponents at the drop of a hat with their combination Fishman Karate. Both the Vice-Admiral and the Lieutenant Commander were showing themselves to be dangerous allies even with the trouble.
And then there was Wallace Wood.
"Dialogue!" he yelled, slashing down with his hands to throw four rocks he'd picked up with his Float-Float powers into a group of gladiators, the impromptu projectiles almost forming quotation marks with their speed. The attack did little more than get their attentions, the man squeaking and running as they gave chase. "Sirs! My sincerest sorry! S-S-S-Something else that starts with S! Sorry!"
Frankly, Monet was surprised he hadn't died long before this. The Devil Fruit of the late Shiki the Golden Lion was wasted on such a weak moron.
Most of the rest of the fight was an incomprehensible melee between the rest of the assorted forces, the present Straw Hat Pirates cutting swaths through their foes. For her to interpose herself, even the attempt to do so, would likely end with her unconscious.
"Sorry, Doflamingo," Monet muttered, making her decision. "Looks like Sugar and I won't be much help. I'm sure you'll understand if we retreat."
The harpy spread her wings and jumped, diving down toward the battle. She caught herself at the last moment, flapping her wings with a burst of chilled air that frosted a number of marines and gladiators. The green-haired woman moved with the air currents, narrowly avoiding attacks and barrel rolling between fighters with her eyes locked on her goal. She swooped into the open sphere of ice that had protected her and Sugar when the tunnels flooded, locking her talons around Sugar's arms as soon as she could. With a heave, she pulled her (older) sister from the ice and took to the sky.
The entire island shook, Monet glad she was in the air when it did so. She flapped, climbing higher where she could see a massive figure rising by the southern docks. The harpy angled her flight, deciding that was likely the best bet for her and Sugar to escape.
"Hey!" Usopp yelled, ignoring the literal belch of flame Ace used to singe off the eyebrows of a charging marine. "The bird-woman's getting away!"
"I'll go after her," Gin replied, slamming his tonfa into the ground, a surge of electricity shooting out from him in a circle to paralyze all the men around him. He backhanded them with his Haki-coated wings before flashing upward, using the lightning-constructs-made-physical to lightning-travel from outcropping to outcropping, chasing the snow-woman. He could flap and use a weaker version of Moonwalk when necessary, but he preferred to Thunder Hop, as he called it. "Don' think you're gettin' away from us after what ya did t' Zoro an' Robin!"
Time seemed to slow as Gin flashed out of the Colosseum, the Logia making eye contact with another man as he sped the opposite direction. He was familiar with a well-trimmed mustache and a long, brunet mohawk that ran down his back. He barely had enough time to register the marine coat on his shoulders before they passed each other, the Marine Vice-Admiral charging into the fray below.
As much as Momonga wanted to turn around to go after the Lightning Demon —considering he was a Supernova of the Worst Generation— he had his orders. Taking in any of the Straw Hats would be enough to restore the honor he lost from their attack when they freed Panz Fry from his fleet, plus a powerhouse like the Logia being on the outside meant another chance that Doflamingo would go down. Momononga had not voiced such wishes to anyone, though he was decently sure several of his fellow Vice-Admirals suspected given how vocal he was about his distrust of the Warlords in general. The only one he respected was Mihawk, but that still did not extend to trust after his actions as the 'Marine Hunter'. It was, after all, that man's violent crusade that ultimately led to the Zephyr's betrayal and the establishment of the Neo-Marines, a crisis Momonga had only just recovered from.
At least he finally got to spend some extra time with the missus. Both of them really needed it.
He shook the thoughts from his head as he fell, using his eyes and Observation to quickly take in the situation and choose a target. His orders were to assist the Warlord in the defense of Dressrosa, so he would do so until new orders were issued. His eyes quickly picked out several figures he recognized from his first interactions with them weeks ago, those being 'Black Leg' Sanji, 'Ghost Ship' Going Merry, 'Spring Wind' Kaku, 'Weightless Woman' Amy Palant, and the 'Monster Doctor' Tony Tony Chopper.
Hardening his heart, he fell on a coalition of the first three, the man drawing his tsubo and falling on them, sword primed.
"Demiurge Down!"
Two swords intercepted his own, the narrowed giraffe eyes of a marine traitor glaring back. Momonga may owe his life to the compassion of the Tri-Horn and the Monster Doctor, but he owed nothing to Spring Wind.
"We meet again, Momonga," Kaku said, digging the soles of his shoes into the broken flooring. "How's the wife? You didn't tell me last time."
"Actually, rather well," the Vice-Admiral replied. "We took my recovery to try for our second child."
"Ah, that's nice." Kaku threw him off, Momonga flipping twice before handing on his feet. "I take it there's no chance we can convince you to sit this one out?"
"Unlikely given the scolding I received last time." The marine readjusted his left-handed grip on his sword, his right primed for a Finger Pistol or to catch any attack. He did not seem particularly embarrassed to admit his bosses' reaction to his shortcoming. "This crew you've aligned with keeps getting into dangerous squabbles that change the world, Spring Wind."
"Yeah. They keep things interesting at least."
"Falling Ax!"
Momonga stepped back and raised his right hand, catching the Klabautermann's leg at the thigh, her variation of Tempest Kick carving a gash in the flooring where he'd been standing not a second before. He didn't pause even as the wind it kicked up ruffled his mustache, swinging her forward and down into that same spot, planting Merry's face into the concrete. She groaned.
"Did that end any better for you last time?" Momonga questioned, recalling when he cut the fairy's leg off when last they met and she attempted that same attack.
"Not really," she admitted. She kicked, using Moonwalk to barely avoid the sword that stabbed into the earth. Merry rolled with the momentum, twisting around to come up by Kaku. A grin widened on the Klabautermann's face, the girl hefting her hammers. "I figured it's like our standard greeting now. We don't often fight the same people again, and certainly not so soon. Got any more surprises for us?"
"Marines across the island are reacting to your declaration and directing civilians into designated structures for protection. Even more are on their way to capture you, yours, and your allies. Surrender now to mitigate casualties and damages and I can guarantee your lives."
"Now Momonga," Merry grinned, her voice a tad mocking. "Did you actually think we'd take an offer like that? Has it ever actually worked?"
"Perhaps not, but there is no harm to anyone by asking."
"I guess that's fair."
In the distance, a beam of light split the sky, shooting diagonally over the island. Momonga, as well as many of the fighters, spun or turned to gawk at the spectacle.
"What in the world…?" Momonga questioned.
"Merry?" Kaku asked. "Wasn't that—?"
"That's my girl!" Franky cheered from somewhere in the vicinity. "SUUUPEEER!"
"A BEAM!" Ace yelled from Usopp's arms, stars in his eyes. "SO COOL!"
"Yes, Kaku. That was Sunny's Gaon Cannon. Something big must be happening at the docks." Merry spread her arms, her mini cannonball pellets rising around her. "So sorry, Momonga. It looks like we suddenly have somewhere else to be."
"You are foolish to think I will let you leave," the marine replied. "My apologies. Despite my debt to Tri-Horn and your doctor, my orders are to subdue your crew in defense of this nation and her king."
"Tell that to her rightful king," Kaku chuckled, using one of his swords to point over his shoulder where Riku and Rebecca fought for their lives alongside the Wano samurai. "Doflamingo used his Devil Fruit to frame King Riku of crimes to earn the people's trust ten years ago. He's the real criminal."
Momonga sucked in a hard breath, his free hand clenching. He sighed. "Should that be true, the evidence will come to light and the Marines will see it rectified. Until such time, we cannot entrust the care of this country to the whims of pirates."
"Oh, the irony," Merry chuckled. "Well, if you want us, then you'll have to catch us. Kaku?"
"A race to the docks like old times," the Zoan grinned, shrinking down to his Human Form. "Ready?"
"Shave!" they called in tandem, vanishing.
"Return at once!" Momonga ordered, blurring into Shave as well in pursuit.
"This was inevitable," Jonathan commented from atop one of the highest buildings of the island, the man watching as the people who had been toys returned to their original forms, their friends, families, and neighbors suddenly remembering who and what had been taken from them. "Cocoyashi, Alabasta, Gecko Moria, Shiki the Golden Lion, the Neo-Marines. It seems, as per their track record, the Straw Hats have uncovered some wrongdoing that will mar the Marines' reputation."
"Yes, quite disappointing," Fujitora agreed with a sigh. He could not see the panic and revelations himself, but he could feel it with his Observation. The civilians of Dressrosa were confused. They felt lost and betrayed, suddenly questioning everything they'd thought they'd known since Doflamingo arrived on their shores a decade before. He couldn't blame them. "Hopefully, they will continue their standard and remove the root of this problem, leaving the Marines the mess to clean up. At least then we can save some face in the aftermath."
"It's a rather sad consolation prize," Jonathan said, scratching his beard.
"A consolation prize is better than nothing." Fujitora reached into his pack, pulling out a handful of poker chips. "Remind me, Vice-Admiral. Are you a betting man?"
"My wife says I have a problem with it," the other chuckled. "Sometimes she says I should stop. Other times she says I should use my intellect to only take bets I know I can win. Of course, that takes the fun out of it."
"Yes, I thought as much," the Admiral agreed. He stepped backward, lowering himself slowly to sit on the building roof. As Jonathan watched, he set over a hundred chips and a deck of cards before him and gestured. "Why don't we make a bet?"
"Admiral, you don't think we should get involved? There's a full-on war beginning." As he spoke, a hulking monster of earth and material rose by one of the shores. People below screamed and pointed, the monster shaping itself into a humanoid bearing down on something Jonathan could not see. Given the briefing he'd had before arriving in Dressrosa, that must be one of Doflamingo's most trusted men.
"And which side would you like to claim?" the Admiral questioned. "The Warlord who has wronged this nation and duped the Marines —the third to betray our trust in two years, I might add— or the more-or-less-moral pirates we were sent here to stop? Between the both of us, we could tip the balance squarely in one direction, but not only is that a hassle; I believe it may also interfere with fate."
"I've never taken you to be a man who believed in fate, Admiral." Jonathan sat before his superior, the blind man carefully and slowly shuffling the deck of cards in his hand.
"I don't. Not really." Satisfied with his shuffling, the man dealt the cards, seemingly unaware that the faces were showing. Jonathan decided to say nothing about it. "But when we don't care too much for either side, why not let them handle each other? We shall step in to correct the final outcome, should we be unsatisfied."
Fujitora gathered his hand together and raised them, unaware he had them backward. Jonathan locked his emotions down, not wanting to give it away to the man's Observation of his blunder.
A beam of light sliced through the air, parting the clouds above. Jonathan gawked, but Fujitora barely reacted to the way the sudden heat of the blast caused the air to stir and his clothing to ruffle. Jonathan placed his hands on the deck, keeping the cards from being blown away.
"As you wish, Admiral," he said, picking up his own cards to see a winning hand. "As you wish."
End of Chapter 70
Well, I didn't expect Trebol to die right there, but he really wasn't much of a fighter and with Zoro's return to humanity... Well, what other outcome could there be? And we see what other marines had been lying in wait in the Colosseum. If you all what to see the randomized list I'd made in preparation for a full-on tournament before things got out of hand and it got derailed, I will gladly reveal it. In other news, pray for Wallace Wood. He's hosed, horrified, hornswaggled, and wholly in over his head. No, I'm not projecting.
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-SwordOfTheGods