"This place is crazy!" Nami called out.
It had barely been a day since the Straw Hat Pirates had left Twin Capes and the weather had changed from bright and sunny to cold and snowy. Hilda was shoveling snow off the deck while Axol and Ruby stayed near the brig and kept warm.
"I tried to warn you earlier. When you enter the Grand Line, you leave your common sense outside." Draco said, creating embers of purple flames to keep the cabins warm.
"Luckily the Merry was installed with heaters," Kaya said, making a snowman with Kirby.
"Still, I didn't think the Grand Line could change the weather so quickly and drastically," Usopp noted.
"And this is tame compared to the storm season. We lucked out entering the Grand Line during one of its calmer periods. After all, this is just a surprise snowfall." Draco said. "Later in the year, we could have been hit by a blizzard instead."
Down in the brig, Mr. 9 couldn't help but smirk at Mr. 13 and Miss Friday. The duo had been shivering in fear for the last few hours due to Sanji, Noire, and Carmen making regular threats to make them the special of the day if they tried to escape.
"They're not so scary when the shoe's on the other foot. But I wonder what they did with Miss Wednesday."
As it happened, Vivi was up in the cabin, shivering harder than Nami.
"You okay?" Heart asked. "We do have the heater going."
"I'm from a desert region. I'm not as used to the cold." Vivi explained.
"Well, you might be warming up real fast. I just felt a change in the weather. Again..." Nami said, muttering the last part.
Sure enough, the snow flurry had given way to a lightning storm. Gin and Nojiko quickly raised the lightning rod installed into the mast.
"Your home region is crazy, Draco!" Sonson exclaimed.
Draco smiled fondly. "Yeah, but it's worth it to be back. I've experienced both the worst and best of the Grand Line touring it with Dad."
The whole time he'd taken the helm. As one of only three Grand Line natives on the crew, Nami felt he was best qualified for steering the Going Merry through the turbulent waters. He double-checked the Log Pose and Eternal Pose to make sure they were heading right.
"We should be hitting Whiskey Peak before long."
"I feel like we changed course several times during this trip. Are you sure we're heading right?" Nojiko asked.
"The Grand Line doesn't work like the rest of the world. Seasons, currents, winds, all of it can change in an instant." Vivi said. "The Log Pose is the only thing that never changes. It's the only thing you can trust when navigating these waters."
As if to prove her point, the weather suddenly turned calm before giving way to a fierce spring gale.
"I'm gonna have my work cut out for me if I want to draw a map of this place..." Nami lamented.
"Storm incoming!" Usopp called out.
"How does anyone live out here again?!" Hilda asked.
"You get used to it," Axol quipped with a flat look on his face. "Trust me, it gets worse below the waves."
Sanji and Noire soon came out with a large plate of rice balls for everyone.
"Lunch is ready! Eat up to keep your strength!"
Noire handed a plate of fried chicken to Gin.
"Take this down to the brig for Mr. 9."
Gin nodded. "I take it the chicken is to intimidate the vulture."
Eddy laughed. "Way to stick it to that rat with wings!"
"I take it Eddy doesn't like birds?" Kuina asked, arching an eyebrow.
"Let's just say he's had bad experiences with them." Double-D clarified.
Meanwhile, Gottfried was listening to everything the otter and vulture were talking about and his eyes narrowed at what he heard.
"I'm gonna have to let the rest of the gang know about this."
Eventually, the weather finally calmed down for a stretch. Hilda let out a sigh of contentment as she stretched out her arms, which also let her belly shine in the sunny light, the pale fat flesh glistening almost majestically.
"By the way, earlier you were being addressed as Miss Wednesday. And your partner calls himself Mr. 9. Something about those names has been bugging me." Zoro said to Vivi. "Like something I'd heard before."
Kuina nodded. "Now Draco knows you, so I get the feeling you're trustworthy. But as the crew's First and Third Mates, we can't stand by if you inadvertently cause harm to us."
"Land ho!" Usopp called out. "Whiskey Peak dead ahead!"
"Now might be a good time to let Mr. 9 out. Let's just say certain people on that island will be more on guard if they think you're onto them." Vivi advised.
"Better keep the otter and vulture locked up. They'll cause more of a ruckus free." Gottfried said.
"Yes, please! Those guys are scary!" Vivi agreed. "I have never been more afraid of native desert dwellers or friendly sea mammals!"
The crew got their first look at Whiskey Peak, the island looking like it was made of cacti.
"Now there's a funny-looking island," Sanji noted.
"Is this going to be common in the Grand Line?" Hilda asked.
"No, most islands are typical for the rest of the world," Draco assured.
"There's a river at the front. We can go inland by ship." Nami noted.
"We're not going to find monsters on this island, are we?" Usopp asked nervously.
"Not on this one. An Eternal Pose is only made for islands that are safe to have ports and cities on." Ben said. "Many islands will have dangerous beasties the likes of which you've never seen, but Whiskey Peak is one of the safer islands. We picked a good one to start on."
"How do you know about this?" Draco asked. "I found you in the East Blue."
Ben smirked. "I've got a lot of secrets, mate."
"Once we land on the island we have to wait until the Log Pose records the new magnetic field before we go to the next island," Nojiko said.
"That doesn't sound too bad..." Melony said.
Suddenly, a thick fog started to settle in, prompting Heart to pull out an ornate fog light.
"We've got company."
"I can hear lots of breathing. The natives have spotted us." Gottfried said. "They're gettin' all shifty-eyed with us."
"Funny, that didn't happen last time I was here," Draco noted.
"Time changes all things, Draco," Vivi pointed out.
As the ship approached the port, the crew could hear an odd sound. It was the sound of cheering. To most of the crew's shock, the entire town was cheering at their arrival.
"Now this is more what I expected. Whiskey Peak is known as a town that loves pirates." Draco admitted. "They come through all the time bringing great business with them. Pirates in this town are actually hailed as heroes."
"For real?!" Luffy asked. "That's awesome!"
Eddy smirked. "Well, look at that, boys! Haven't even started as members of this crew and already we're celebrities!"
The crew disembarked and were greeted by a tall man with curled hair that Vivi seemed to recognize.
"Welcom-*cough* Ma-ma-ma... Welcome to Whiskey Peak. I am Igarrapoi, the mayor of this settlement."
Draco raised an eyebrow. He knew this man but by a completely different name. The fact that 'Igarrapoi' seemed to stiffen when he noticed Draco confirmed his suspicions.
"First Vivi, now Igaram? What the heck is going on here?"
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy! Nice to meet you!" Luffy greeted.
Igarrapoi's eyes widened when he heard that name before quickly clearing his throat.
"Whiskey Peak is a town that thrives on making liquor and music. Hospitality is our pride and joy. Our liquor is as bountiful as the seawater. We'd love to throw you a party so that we might hear your tales of-*cough* Ma-ma-ma... Your tales of adventure."
"We have a few days to kill. As I recall, it takes five days for the Log Pose to record Whiskey Peak's magnetic field." Draco said.
"WOO-HOO! PARTY TIME!"Luffy, Usopp, Sanji, Sonson, Hilda, Ed, and Eddy called out together.
-OP-
The party lasted well into the night, with plenty of food, drink, and music. Usopp entertained the children with his tall tales with Kaya also joining in, Sonson and Kirby pantomiming some of the 'events' with them. The Eds and Ruby were dancing like there was no tomorrow and drawing a crowd in the process.
Kuina was minding her own business when she noticed a mysterious individual also seemingly sitting by his lonesome. He wore samurai-esque armor that looked both lightweight and sturdy and also wore a mask that covered his mouth and nose. He had smooth silver hair with bangs swept to one side which covered one of his eyes, the one that was exposed looking heavily scarred.
But what most caught her attention was the seven, yes, seven items on his back: One was wrapped up in bandages, another looked like a sewing needle while another was a giant knife, one an axe-hammer combination, two sabers and finally, what looked like a hilt attached to a couple thousand paper tags.
"It's rude to stare, you know."
Kuina recomposed herself. "Sorry, sorry. Just…Something about you seems familiar."
The man turned and smiled under his mask.
"Well, I see you're a swordswoman, so…." He extended a hand. "Nobunaga D. Mifune, traveling swordsman."
"Kuina Shimotuski." The girl smiled, returning the gesture.
"Kuina of the Pirate Hunter Duo?" Mifune asked, sipping his drink.
"Former Pirate Hunter duo. Me and Zoro are part of the Straw Hats Pirates."
"Ah, right. Thought I heard something like that." Mifune realized. "…Gotta be some kind of pirate to get you and three swords to join."
"Oh, Luffy and the rest of us are Peace Main style pirates. Not Morganeers like so many." Kuina explained, which made Mifune raise an eye-brow. "Oh right. Most don't know or care, but there are two types of pirates; Morganeer pirates are the ones everyone thinks of and most are. Peace Mains are more like us Straw Hats, plus the Whitebeard and Red Hair Pirates; more adventurers than anything else."
She inwardly thanked Draco and Ben for explaining that to her and the others, before her eyes returned to Mifune's assorted blades.
"Forgive me for prying, but…"
"Oh yeah, I can use all of them," Mifune explained. "And thank you for not asking me if…."
"Oh that joke has been done to death, no worries," Kuina noted. "If in you don't mind? They seem familiar."
"They all belonged to my mentors and…Well, thanks to a certain Warlord, no one gives their memory just rewards." Mifune sighed. "But you got a good eye or at least were told stories of us, to recognize the Seven Swords of the Mist."
Kuina's eyes widened as memories of her father telling her and Zoro stories rushed to the forefront of her mind as she recited her father's words.
"THE seven swords?! Made by a mad blacksmith in the core of the Red Line?! Each with a Devil Fruit-like power?! Who could only be wielded by the most battle-hungry yet honorable souls who could topple kingdoms?!"
"The very same," Mifune smirked.
-OP-
Meanwhile, Draco, Zoro, Nami, Gin, Nojiko, Heart, and Rolf were enjoying the drinks provided to them
"Please enjoy some of our finest wine," Igarrapoi offered. "It's a special dri-*cough* Ma-ma-ma... A special drink made from prime grapes. The taste is pure wine without the alcohol."
"Well, I usually prefer soda to liquor, but I'm not opposed to drinking with friends and family." Draco chuckled.
"This is some damn fine wine though." Heart chuckled as she took a sip.
"We had an excellent harvest this year, so there's plenty to go around," Igarrapoi said. "To celebrate, we'll have our usual toast competition! Basically, you continue to toast and the last one standing is the winner."
"So it's a drinking game," Nojiko said. "Let me guess... No pauses, no spills."
"And no regurgitation," Igarrapoi confirmed. "The prize is 100,000 Berris!"
"Pour it out!" Nami declared.
"We still have plenty of money from the East Blue!" Zoro pointed out.
"Rolf shall accept this challenge, which you all shall regret, as Rolf has what Nana calls the Belly of a Lead Iron Ox!" Rolf smirked.
Nearby, Luffy and Hilda were wolfing down plate after plate of food, eating so much that Sanji and Noire had to take over for the cooks, who had passed out. Axol was laser-focused on drawing his manga, using the events around him to inspire the events he was currently writing.
Ben and Penny were just sitting together at a table, Ben shyly inched his hand ever closer to Penny's, retreating when he saw her gazing, but then beaming when she took the hand into her own and then rested her head on his shoulder. With a content smile, Ben placed his head on top of Penny's.
"Would you two like a light snack?"
Ben and Penny spied a girl in a pink kimono with short brown hair offering them each a cup of tea and some dango.
"Thank you!" Penny beamed as she took one of the sticks and savored the flavor. Ben smiled and took his own stick
"Many thanks, lil…?"
"Fuu." The girl smiled. "Just Fuu. And sorry about the startle. Just…well, you remind me of someone and…"
Ben smiled "You love this person?"
Fuu blushed "He's out here, probably drinking a bar out of the house."
"Sounds like Friend Zoro." Penny mused.
"Well, speaking of bars, is there one nearby with rum?" Ben asked. "The tea and dango were divine, but I need me a drop of rum to really chill."
Meanwhile, the villagers were shocked as Draco, Zoro, Nami, Gin, Nojiko, Heart, and Rolf already had over 10 mugs finished. Draco and Rolf had just finished their fifteenth and were still getting more.
"It's the giants that go swimming...With large, curly-haired women..." Igarrapoi sang in a drunken daze before belching.
"Rolf feels something..." Rolf spoke up as he looked at his hand. "A tingling in the fingers like the worms that eat through Papa's soil...the alcohol is affecting Rolf now."
"Ha! He can't ho-*cough* Ma-ma-ma... He can't hold his liquor!" Igarrapoi called out before his eyes suddenly crossed and he creaked over like a plank of wood before passing out.
Rolf just smirked as he and Draco shared a toast before the latter backed out, declaring the Son of the Shepard the final winner as the crowd cheered and handed him the cash prize.
"You really do have the belly of an Ox made of lead and iron..." Gin groaned, staving off the alcohol-induced daze he was in.
-OP-
Later that night, Vivi found Igarrapoi and dragged him into a nearby room.
"You okay, Igaram?"
Igarrapoi, or rather Igaram, groaned as he nodded.
"That young man had far more alcohol tolerance than I thought. How did your mission with Mr. 9 go?"
Vivi shook her head. "Flopped. But those pirates captured the Unluckies, so it doesn't look like it will get reported."
"Truly? That could buy us needed time. But I had no idea we'd run into Young Draco again after so many years. The young lad's rea-*cough* Ma-ma-ma... Really grown up, hasn't he?"
"Yeah, he has..." Vivi noted with a blush. "Well, the party's starting to wind down now but I have a feeling those Straw Hats are onto the secret of this town."
Igaram got up and headed back to the bar, where it seemed most of the Straw Hats had fallen asleep. Two nuns approached, one with a surprisingly muscular build and the other who looked quite fat, almost as big and round as Hilda with a soft face and brown hair tied up in two sock buns over her ears.
"They finally got worn out, Mr. 8. It practically took forever." The muscular nun said. "Even with the alcohol and sleeping agents we added to the mix, they stubbornly kept on going."
The muscular nun removed her habit, revealing a one-piece dress with a short skirt. The chubby nun also removed hers, revealing she was wearing a pink and white visor on her head, as well as a salmon pink tank top tied with a bow around her neck like a bikini top, under a white raglan slim fit top with ice blue elbow-length sleeves and a fully salmon pink semi-Poké Ball logo printed on the chest area. On her bottom half, she wore frilly flared mustard yellow short shorts over black lycra leggings with salmon pink socks and hi-top shoes.
"We should have beaten them at the harbor and taken their food. We're already running short." The muscular woman, Miss Monday, huffed.
"That seems kinda mean though..." The chubby girl frowned.
"You know this job isn't a place for nice people, Miss Happy Halloween," Mifune said as he and Fuu came over. "Or should I say Rosa?"
Rosa's chubby cheeks pouted as Fuu and Vivi just giggled at how adorable she looked while Mifune smirked behind his mask.
"Not to worry. I was able to check them against the wanted posters we have." Igaram assured as he showed the wanted posters for the four captains, Gin, and Heart.
"Incredible. They looked like such weaklings." Miss Monday said.
"Never judge a book by its cover, Miss Monday," Mifune said.
"Are we sure we should be going through the ship to raid them?" Mr. 9 asked. "I mean... The Unluckies are locked up there, and the boss would need to make sure they can keep doing the covert reports."
"The boss made it clear that any of us are expendable, even the Unluckies. If they've been compromised, there's no reason to free them." Igaram noted.
Miss Monday and Mister 9 sighed in relief, hugging each other out of joy.
"We might finally be free!"
"Miss Monday, I've always loved you!"
"Well, ain't this a touching scene."
The group whirled around and noticed the Straw Hats were still wide awake and staring them down. The one who had spoken happened to be Ben.
"Wow, you must be light sleepers," Mifune noted calmly, despite the look of surprise in his eyes.
"But how?! I made those sleeping drugs myself with the most potent doses imaginable!" Fuu exclaimed.
"Rolf could taste the drugs of sleepiness in his liquor easily!" Rolf boasted. "You need to wake up pretty early in the morning to squeeze an orange rind in the eye of Rolf!"
"After all that eating, I needed time to digest," Hilda said, patting her belly.
"And Kirby can handle anything." Kaya giggled, patting her son on the head.
"So this is interesting. The last time I was at Whiskey Peak, it wasn't a nest of bounty hunters." Draco noted. "Looks like time really does change everything."
Usopp finished counting. "Only a hundred? Man, the odds are stacked way too much in our favor. How am I going to prove myself as a brave warrior of the sea fighting so many weaklings?"
"That's Baroque Works for you. They always seem to go for quantity over quality." Zoro said.
Vivi and Igaram gasped in shock while Mifune looked legitimately impressed.
"How in the world did he find out the name?!" Vivi whispered to Igaram. "Not even Draco knows them!"
"Wait, Zoro, how do you know who these guys are?" Nami asked.
"Baroque Works is a new name, even for me," Ben added.
"They probably started up sometime after you were sent to the East Blue. But back during my and Kuina's bounty hunter days, a couple of Baroque Works members tried recruiting us. But we rejected the offer since it clashed with our own goals." Zoro explained.
"Employees don't know each other's identities, only going by code names. The lower members, called Billions and Millions, have random code names, while the higher-ranked officers have a theme. Numbers for the men and days and holidays for the women." Kuina added. "As for their boss, no one knows who or where they are, not even the employees. They just carry out orders as instructed."
"Well, this is unfortunate. Anyone who knows our secrets must be killed. Another gravestone to be added to the Cactus Rocks of Cactus Island." Igaram said as he looked over to said rocks, which were indeed covered in grave markers. Most of them belonged to dead Baroque Works members.
"Well don't go informing the undertaker just yet. After all, you need to be strong enough to kill us first." Sanji smirked.
In a flash, the Straw Hats all disappeared from sight. Mifune couldn't help but be impressed by their speed.
"People of the world, get ready! This is We Are, broadcasting live from Whiskey Peak!" Gottfried called out.
"What's going on?" Mr. 9 asked in confusion.
-OP-
Inside his den, Sir Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, chuckled.
"This ought to be very entertaining."
He knew the Straw Hats were about to face down, and likely annihilate, the group of Millions stationed on Cactus Island, but they were expendable. A minor setback like this shouldn't do anything to disrupt what he had planned.
"The first big battle of the Straw Hat Pirates is about to begin!"Gottfried called out. "As they face off against the secretive organization; Baroque Works!"
Crocodile instantly choked on his whiskey in shock as he nearly fell out of his seat, unable to believe what he was hearing.
"How the hell do they know the name of my organization?! Just what are the Unluckies doing?!"
-OP-
Mifune simply narrowed his eyes as he drew out one of his seven swords;Kubikiribōchō, the Decapitating Carving Knife.
"Looks like we're in for a swell battle...I'll go looking for Zoro and Kuina, there's something about them that I need to test out..."
"I'm going after Hilda!" Rosa said. "Fuu, back me up!"
"Got it!"
"Good luck, all of you," Igaram said. "I have a feeling you'll need it..."
-OP-
As the battle at Whiskey Peak began, the Millions were looking around wondering where the Straw Hats went.
"GAMMA KNUCKLE!"Draco shouted, using hisGojira Modeto fire a projected fist of atomic energy with a single punch, blasting a few nearby Millions.
Turning back to normal, he spun around and caught an incoming sword with his bare hand, using theAlchemy-Alchemy Fruitto turn the sword into a trumpet. Penny then flew in, fairy dust forming around her fist, increasing her strike as she sent the Million with the sword flying.
"Yubashiri and Sandai Kitetsu... You're really proving your skills in this first fight." Zoro smirked as his new swords easily shattered the Millions's blades.
"Looks like Wado Ichimonji has some competition." Kuina chuckled."SACRED FLARE!"
Transforming into her Hybrid Form, Kuina slashed with Wado Ichimonji to create a blinding flash of heat energy that took out several of the Millions.
"FORMER PIRATE HUNTER DUO!"
Zoro and Kuina turned to see Mifune standing in front of a pile of Millions, a teal mist surrounding him.
"I CHALLENGE YOU TWO! DO YOU ACCEPT?!"
"Careful. He has all seven swords of the mists!" Kuina warned Zoro, whose eyes widened.
"No kidding?! Man, joining Luffy and the others really WAS the best choice we could've made: First Mihawk, and now this?"
Mifune smirked. "You seem awfully quick to die."
"We're fighting seven of the most powerful blades ever made," Zoro said as if it was the most obvious thing. "How can we not accept your challenge?"
"Then you better also be prepared for myMist-Mist Fruit," Mifune warned. "I've combined it seamlessly with my swordsmanship."
Zoro and Kuina took their battle stances as Mifune drew his first blade, which looked like a gigantic knife with a circular hole close to the tip of the blade.
"Kubikiribōchō." He announced. "My personal favorite. Always use this bad boy to test if people are worth all seven."
Zoro and Kuina, still eager for battle, noted the difference in Mifune that had been lacking in Cabaji, Eric, and even Arlong: He killed every time he drew his blade. And this pleased them; so many of their opponents entered battle confident they would leave alive; Mifune treated this as it should be; life or death.
Off to the side, a certain hooded wolf-like figure watched from afar.
"Today may be different…but just in case."
Mifune then blitzed forward, transforming into a veil of mist before reappearing behind the two hunters, who swung their blades to meet his own. Kuina then transformed into her Hybrid Form and released burning feathers, which Mifune quickly blocked and dodged.
Zoro raced forward to take advantage of Mifune's second of realization, but Kuina saw Mifune smirk and reach for two more blades. Recalling what she had heard of the seven blades, she flew in front of Zoro just in time to be slashed at by two pointed swords.
"The Twin Fangs,Kiba." Kuina noted as she ignored her wound. "Said to be the two sharpest blades."
Mifune swung the blood off of Kiba onto Kubikichiro. Instantly the blood hardened and replaced the damage the blade had taken.
"And there's the blood repair of Kubikiribōchō," Zoro growled, then choked when he felt his shoulders stabbed. He turned to see that Mifune had drawn Kiba back and instead drawn….
"RED PECK!"Kuina roared, slamming her sword, now aflame, into Mifune's side and sending him skirting, only to see him smirking and realize that there was a thread in her arm…which she saw linked to Zoro.
"Nubari, the Sewing Needle." Mifune declared. "Not the most destructive, maybe, but it has its uses."
"That giant sewing needle is a sword?" Zorro asked
"Great for taking out multiple foes," Mifune smirked as he reached for the string. "Like you two!"
The two partners found themselves forced together and being pulled towards the blade, Mifune's intent clear; shishkabobbing them. But not to be deterred, Kuina flew upwards while Zoro used the sword in his mouth to cut the string.
Mifune, unamused, drew what seemed like a hammer on a chain that sent Zorro flying and then opened him up to the axe on the other side of the chain. Luckily, Kuina blocked it
"Okay, butKabutowarishouldn't really count as a sword! It's just an axe and a hammer chained together!"
Mifune swung the two weapons downwards, Kuina barely escaping before flipping the axe away. Zoro raced in with a quick draw attack, but Mifune grabbed the oddest of his displayed blades; one that had papers in place of a blade, and swung it, only for Kuina to grab Zoro and take to the skies to avoid explosions.
" Well, what aboutShibuki?!" Kuina replied. "It's basically bombs on a stick!"
Mifune, smirking madly under his mask, drew his second to last weapon; a two-handled blade wrapped under bandages and shaped like an arrowhead.
"KAIHO!"Mifune roared as two spears shot through the bandages, being knocked aside by the duo as he leaped forward and the blade suddenly changed into a hammer-like shape.
"70 POUND CALIBUR PHONEIX!"The two roared together, Kuina mixing in some fire feathers into Zoro's blow
"Okay, yeah!Hiramekareitoo!" Kuina snapped as she and Zoro again dodged Mifune, the latter raced at his foe and knocked him away from the blade.
"Seriously, how does that one even work?!" Zoro asked.
"The core is made of a special material that, when pumped with Haki, can change shape ever so slightly," Mifune explained.
The sheer insanity of that made Zoro and Kuina pause.
"You said so yourself; their creator was a mad genius. Besides, if you hated those two, then you're going to loathe the last one!" Mifune said as he reached for said final sword
"Like we'll let you!"
"ZORO, WAIT!" Kuina called out.
And then it moved. Yes. The sword itself moved.
"IS THAT THING ALIVE?!"
"The Shark Skin Blade;Samehada." Mifune explained as scales ripped from the wrappings. "Not only does it cut anything to ribbons, but it steals the stamina of those it fights.
Coughing came from the blade as a mouth manifested, which Mifune took notice of as he gained an apologetic look.
"Oh, Same! I'm sorry! I know you hate fire; I'll get some tasty octopi later, okay?"
Samehada let out a grumble, then tore out of its bandages and bit Zoro, making him cry out in pain as he felt his strength being drained into the living sword.
Kuina exited her Hybrid Form and lit her fists aflame while holding Wado Ichimonji in her mouth, punching Mifune back and grabbing Samehada, only for teeth to burst from the handle. Still, the weapon released Zoro and skirted back to its master, who let it rest as he returned to using Kiba.
"I've had enough fun…Now we end this." Mifune said. "A pity…You seem decent folks. I hate to kill you."
"And you seem a decent fella," Kuina smirked.
"We hate to kill you." Zoro parroted.
And with that, they raced forward to end this once and for all….smiling in elation at this fight.
-OP-
"Sorry, boys! But you picked the wrong cards!"
Noire did a handstand and spun around, flicking out cards that wedged into various Millions, some shocking, some burning, some freezing, and one even pausing one in time.
Miss Monday tossed a large wine barrel, only for Gin to dash forward in his Hybrid Form with his upgraded tonfas in hand.
"BLACK MOUNTAIN STRIKE!"
The impact of his spiked tonfas shattered the barrel, causing the pieces to fly and knock out several grunts nearby.
"Waste of a good drink is what that was!" Gin huffed, the snake head nodding in agreement.
One grunt tried to attack Luffy with a large mallet, only for her to easily tank it with her rubber body before retaliating with aGum-Gum Pistol. Heart was swiftly dodging knife attacks from a bunch of children, who were also apparently Millions.
"Even the kids are bounty hunters? This doesn't seem like a safe work environment."
"Well, we should avoid hurting them!" Kaya said, currently in her Hybrid Form and deflecting the attacks sent at her with her fur, which had the consistency of steel when attacked.
"LEAD STAR!"Usopp shouted, firing off a pellet from his slingshot to knock out a bounty hunter dressed as a nun.
"I'm feeling very conflicted right now," Sanji said, having just finished using a spin kick to take a whole group, which as it turned out included women.
"Better get used to it, mate!" Ben said as he formed bramble ropes made of solid blood to restrain some of the Millions."PEACOCK PEAK!"
Meanwhile, Nami, the Eds, and Rolf worked together to push a ladder off a roof while several of the hunters were on it.
"This damn bounty hunter town has so little treasure!" Nami complained.
"They were literally hunting Island Whale for food, Nami," Double-D pointed out. "How much money do you think they could have had?"
"CRUSH ALL THAT STAND IN OUR WAY!" Ed declared as he picked up the ladder to use as a weapon.
Miss Monday was also using a ladder as a makeshift weapon, swinging it at Sonson as she flipped and rolled around the strikes, taking a moment to turn around and hauntingly spank her posterior.
"Miss me, miss me, now you gotta kiss me!"
Suddenly, Mr. 9 leaped at her from behind with a sword in hand, only for a cartoon bomb to hit him and send him flying from the explosion, courtesy of Axol drawing it into existence with Inkweaver.
"Mr. 9!" Miss Monday gasped before growling and slipping on a pair of brass knuckles. "Now you've gone and made me mad!"
"SHADOW CLONE JUTSU!"Axol shouted, rolling through hand signs as Inkweaver transformed into a duplicate of him, the two charging at Miss Monday as she charged like a raging bull.
Mr. 9 pulled out a pair of metal bats to try and attack again, only for Sonson to flip in and clash against him with her staff.
"I'll have you know I am an expert acrobat!" Mr. 9 warned.
"Cool! Makes this more fun for me!" Sonson grinned as she plucked out two strands of hair and threw them into the air, creating a pair of clones. "Hope you're fast enough to keep up with three of me!"
She then shot Axol a look, which he returned.
"How about you do a cool pic of me if I take her out first?"
"Challenge accepted!"
-OP-
Elsewhere, Hilda had almost been taken by surprise when Rosa lunged at her, quickly increasing her speed by ten to zip out of the way.
"Whoa, you're pretty fast!" Rosa beamed. "But lemme ask; is that bulk muscle or…?"
She had been so busy monologuing she failed to see Hilda reach for a few lumps of coal, which she then threw.
"MORE-MORE TENFOLD SPEED!"
The coal sped towards Rosa as it grew, giving the other girl no time to dodge…not that she didn't even try. The coal hit her head on, but she burst through, now pitch dark.
"Is that Haki? No, no…"Hilda guessed when she saw the dust coming off the charging Rosa. She leaped upwards and came down with her full bulk.
"MORE-MORE THOUSANDFOLD CRUSH!"
The coal in Rosa's form changed to diamonds from the pressure of Hilda landing on top of her. Rosa quickly swung a fist at Hilda, who tanked the blow and sent her flying into a building. This time, Rosa didn't come up immediately, but when she did, she was made of stone and straw like the building had been.
"Whoa." Hilda said despite it all. "…Devil Fruit?"
"Yup!" Rosa explained as she raced forward, sending Hilda skirting back, only to be judo slammed into the ground, the now stone Rosa felt herself being broken apart, but flesh appeared before she shattered. She then got on top of Hilda and pinned her down, their bellies squishing togetrher.
"I'm not limited to what touches me or what I touch." Rosa explained. "I can absorb things like stamina, strength, and speed too."
Hilda grinned. "Is that so? Gotta say, you really know how to get a girl excited!"
As the two struggled, Rosa's eyes suddenly widened, having accidentally absorbed some of Hilda's memories in the process and fell on her big butt off of Hilda, who stood up in confusion.
"Hey, you okay?"
"I TRIED TO KILL MY SISTER!" Rosa cried, then hugged Hilda. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"
"Wait, WHAT?!"
-OP-
Meanwhile, Fuu was confronting Ruby and Kirby, having used some kind of power to create a type of medicine that she injected into several Millions to increase their power.
"How are you doing that?!" Ruby asked as she used her boneless Kraken physique to snake and coil around the attacks while Kirby inhaled a barrel thrown his way and spat it back out as a high-speed projectile.
"It's all thanks to my Devil Fruit!" Fuu smirked. "ThePharm-Pharm Fruitallows me to create any kind of drug I can think of in any form!"
Somewhere in the Grand Line, a clown-like doctor felt great rage and then pride before raging again until his floating boss told him to focus…too late; a red-furred gorilla was now a pervert.
Fuu then created a small pill and ingested it herself before her skin glowed a steaming red, increasing her strength and speed as she tried to attack Ruby, only for Kirby to block with a hammer, now clad in a Hachimaki headband.
"HAMMER KIRBY!"
"Alright, Kirby!" Ruby smiled as she rushed forward. "Let me show you some moves Kuroobi taught me!"
-OP-
"Should we get in there?" Igaram wondered as he and Vivi watched the action unfold.
"Well, there's a problem with that. First, I saw their captain fight an Island Whale and declare it a draw." Vivi said. "Second... I can't find Carue!"
"There's always your perfume dance. It never fails to cha-*cough* Ma-ma-ma... To charm men." Igaram suggested.
"I get the feeling only the cook would be affected in this case….well, him and maybe Eddy," Vivi argued. "What about your Igarappa?"
"Most of them can't even be harmed by shotguns. And one of them could bounce the bullets back." Igaram pointed out. "Still, with the Unluckies imprisoned, we should be good to just let things play out."
A sudden explosion was heard just outside the town.
"Oh, now what?!" Nami called out.
"I figured we needed explosives to liven up this party!" Eddy sarcastically commented.
"Gottfried, check with Merry!" Luffy ordered.
"Ship's still in top shape, Captain! The explosion was on the other end of the harbor!" Gottfried reported. "Nojiko is reporting all clear! Hang on... It looks like we have two newcomers!"
The crew turned to see a woman in a sundress and a dark-skinned man in a long coat approaching. Mifune let out a scoff of annoyance as he paused in the middle of his fight with Zoro and Kuina.
"Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine?" Mr. 9 realized. "How did you know to come here?"
"The boss had to risk using a Transponder Snail since our normal communications network is somehow tied up." Mr. 5 explained before turning to Igaram, Vivi, and Rosa. "And it seems three of our number aren't even fighting."
"Very strange. Makes me curious what you're really doing." Miss Valentine said in a mocking tone.
"If you're going to help us already then do it!" Miss Monday called out while trying to smash Axol, who dodged out of the way and summoned an ink clone of a man in a cape who delivered a flying kick surrounded in purple miasma, which Miss Monday caught and slammed into the ground.
"Oh, we're not here to help you. The boss wouldn't waste our talents so close to the end of the Grand Line." Mr. 5 clarified.
"We're here to pick up a couple of criminals the boss wants dealt with...The crime of finding out the boss's secrets." Miss Valentine added.
"Technically that's not a crime. Just something your boss doesn't like and is paranoid over." Draco pointed out.
"Call it what you will, but orders are orders..." Mr. 5 said. "Miss Wednesday, Miss Happy Halloween, and Mr. 8. Our company's motto is 'mystery'."
He then pointed toward the Straw Hats, some of whom paused in the middle of their fights with the Millions and other agents.
"The boss recently amended that order for you as well. Apparently, your communications officer knows our company's name."
"That's more my fault than his," Zoro said.
"But then again, that whips it right around to being your fault for trying to recruit us and not respecting our refusal," Kuina added.
"Looks like the fight's just getting started!" Luffy said. "Vivi is a friend of our brother, so anyone who tries to throw around excuses to kill her like 'sin' or 'crime' is a bad guy I won't hesitate to defeat!"
"Interesting, so you know that these two are actually from the kingdom of Alabasta. That little tidbit caught the boss's eye, which is why we're here." Miss Valentine said.
"Why should your boss care where his employees come from?" Draco asked. "You're supposed to be a bounty-hunting company. It shouldn't matter to you if your boss hires a princess from a desert kingdom."
"WAIT, VIVI'S A PRINCESS?!"The rest of the Straw Hats exclaimed in disbelief.
"Yeah. And Igaram is a member of the royal family's security team." Draco said as if it was the simplest thing.
"Actually, I've since been pro-*cough* Ma-ma-ma... Been promoted to Head of Security." Igaram clarified.
"Anyway, like I was saying... It shouldn't matter who Vivi is if she was hired by your company." Draco said.
"I take it you're unaware of the current state of Alabasta. It's been embroiled in a civil war for the last two years." Mr. 5 said.
"So Vivi wanted backup. It still feels like your boss is blowing things out of proportion." Draco noted.
"Maybe I should make things clearer; Vivi didn't join our group to enlist our help... She infiltrated it because our boss is responsible for the civil war." Mr. 5 clarified, only to be bonked in the head by Miss Valentine. "Ow, what was that for-?"
"Don't go blurting out our secrets!" Miss Valentine snapped. "In case you've forgotten...THEIR COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER IS STILL BROADCASTING THIS TO THE ENTIRE WORLD!"
Mr. 5 felt his glasses nearly slip off his face as he realized his partner's point and facepalmed at his own stupidity.
"Dammit, I didn't think of that...!"
Igaram quickly pulled out a saxophone and blew into it.
"IGARAPPA!"
The saxophone blasted out a spread of bullets like a shotgun. The two agents quickly leaped out of the way. As they did, Mr.5 dug into his nose and flicked the booger he pulled out right at Igaram.
"BONE BARRIER!"
Ben quickly leaped in the way and created a wall of bones, blocking the explosion that came from the booger impacting it.
"Never thought I'd see someone with exploding snot bombs," Eddy noted.
"How terribly unsanitary..." Double-D frowned.
"He's got a Devil Fruit!" Nami realized.
"IGARAPPAPPA!"Igaram cried as he yanked on his tie, activating multiple gun barrels hidden in his hair curls which opened fire, forcing Mr. 5 back.
"Wait, where'd the other one go?!" Hilda asked.
"UP THERE!" Gottfried called out.
Sure enough, Miss Valentine was now hanging in the air, seemingly floating with her parasol.
"She must have a Devil Fruit too," Gin realized.
"What have we gotten ourselves into?" Usopp wondered aloud before sighing. "Oh well, in for a Berri, in for a bushel."
"Well, at least things aren't boring!" Kaya giggled.
Igaram turned to the crew. "I know this seems like a bad time, but we must get Vivi back to Alabasta. If you will help us, I'll see to it that you are immensely rewarded."
"And just how much is 'immense'?" Nami asked with Berri signs already in her eyes.
"Assuming Old Man Cobra is still alive? More than a king's ransom." Draco said. "Alabasta is one of the richest countries on the Grand Line. I can't speak for our navigator here, but I would be willing to help for free. You two are old friends, after all."
"We're a particular band of Pirates, mate," Ben smirked. "We have a knack for stopping foul deeds and liberating lands from oppression."
"Yup, we be the Peace Main types…mostly."
Igaram teared up. "Thank you so mu-*cough* Ma-ma-ma... So much!"
"Uh, guys..." Ruby nervously spoke up. "I hate to break up the tender moment but we still got two assassins gunning for us!"
"Let us help you!" Fuu suddenly said as she, Rosa, Mifune, Mr. 9, and Miss Monday stood up and joined the crew.
"Weren't you fighting with us not too long ago?" Usopp pointed out.
"We may not know everything that's going on but Miss Wednesday and Mr. 8 have been our friends for the last two years. And even these recent revelations haven't changed that." Miss Monday said.
"And I feel like the cat's out of the bag either way..." Mifune chuckled. "I was never really a part of Baroque Works in the first place. I was using them to get to their boss in particular."
"I'm guessing he's the one who did your group dirty?" Kuina asked, getting a nod.
Mifune then turned his attention to Fuu and helped her up, his face softening.
"But then I met Fuu and things changed."
"Long story short, I am a long, long way from home. Mifune saved me from…" Fuu gulped and shook away the memory before continuing. "…Well, as a swordsman, my home country is the apex of samurai and swordsmiths. So, he decided to help me get back there."
Mifune smiled. "Only good decision I've made in a while."
"And I've finally found my sister after so long!" Rosa said. "And she's big, beautiful, and badass just like me!"
Hilda smiled. "Awww, Sis!"
Both Vivi and Igaram were shocked. While they had indeed gotten to know and care for Mr. 9, Miss Monday, Rosa, Mifune, and Fuu during their time as spies, they had fully expected the entire organization to turn on them once they were revealed.
"Wait, sister?!" The other Straw Hats asked Hilda.
"We'll explain later!" Hilda and Rosa promised as Luffy and Bamia just grinned, as did Nami and Nojiko.
"Shishishishi! Then you guys better keep up, because this is going to be a serious fight." Luffy smirked.
"Sensational!" Penny cheered. "It's always nice to make new friends!"
Mr. 5 scoffed. "Such camaraderie is a disgrace to Baroque Works. All that's needed is the will to fulfill the mission."
"You only say that because you likely have such a high turnover rate. After all, it's harder to keep secrets when you don't trust each other." Zoro pointed out.
"And when someone does learn a secret, they get executed. I'm willing to bet the higher-ranked agents have learned that it's better not to get too attached." Kuina added.
That struck a chord with Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine.
"Oooh, touched a nerve there, eh?" Ben grinned.
"I... I've had enough of your words!" Mr. 5 called out. "Face the fury of myBomb-Bomb Fruit!"
He started hawking loogies that created explosions around the group. Penny quickly moved to create a dome of crystalized fairy dust around everyone.
"WINTER SEASON'S PROTECTION!"
Axol quickly raced out to confront Mr. 5 directly, who quickly dug into his nostrils to attack again.
"NOSE FANCY CANNON!"
Axol threw Inkweaver up into the air and did a flip kick that sent it flying past the explosive mucus as Axol himself flipped around them. As he got close, Mr. 5 tried to hit him with an explosive punch, but the Axolotl Fishman was quick and disappeared before reappearing behind him.
"Impressive, the power to become a living bomb factory!" He grinned. "This will make perfect material for my manga!"
Axol rolled through hand signs, causing multiple Shadow Clones to pop out and knock Mr. 5 around before the real Axol delivered a spinning kick that sent him into a nearby building.
As the fight between the two was going on, Miss Valentine had positioned herself right over the crystal dome.
"Let's see how much weight this dome can take. I'll crack it using myKilo-Kilo Fruitpowers!" She laughed."10,000 KILOGRAM PRESS!"
She increased her weight to 10,000 kilos in order to smash through the dome. She started to break through the dome, but then noticed it was empty. Except for a certain grinning Transponder Snail.
"Hiya, Toots!" Gottfried said."SONIC CACOPHONY!"
Miss Valentine wound up being sent flying out of the carbon dome. It turned out Hilda had increased her strength a hundredfold to dig through the ground and let the group escape, leaving Gottfried behind to deal with the agent.
Miss Valentine managed to get up, intent on floating off again, only to gasp when Vivi suddenly snuck up and slashed her parasol using her Peacock Slashers, daggers attached to spinning ropes.
"Now you can't properly float when your weight is low!"
Miss Valentine panicked since she did indeed rely on her parasol to effectively maintain altitude when down to 1 kilo of weight. Zoro and Usopp then came up behind her with their weapons drawn.
"Checkmate."
-OP-
The defeated Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine were left tied up using a special net Draco had procured from Loguetown.
"This net is made from Seastone. The Marines use it to contain pirates who have Devil Fruits. The mineral has properties similar to standing water, so it can weaken any Devil Fruit user that comes into contact with it."
"I gotta say, Baroque Works doesn't really act like a proper bounty hunter guild," Ruby noted.
"It's not actually a bounty hunter guild, it's a criminal syndicate. None of the members know who the boss is, but they obey him regardless out of a belief that he will found an ideal nation." Igaram explained. "Those who do well in the company will be guaranteed a high social standing within that nation. That is what keeps them loyal and together."
"Sounds way too good to be true. Not to mention a shortcut to whatever dreams they may have." Usopp said.
"Which is why Fuu and I were only pretending to work with them. Rosa was also in on it after she joined in." Mifune said.
"Now you know why Kuina and I decided to reject their invitation," Zoro said. "Is there anything known about the boss?"
"His codename is Mr. 0. The closer a person's code name is to zero, the higher up they are," Vivi said.
"For the men, maybe. But what about the highest-ranking woman in the company?" Sanji asked
"Of course you'd ask that!" Noire groaned.
"She's known as Miss All-Sunday and she's Mr. 0's right hand. The strength of the agents above Mr. 5 and Miss Valentine is said to be especially incredible." Vivi said.
"Suppose we'll find out before long. They've already marked us." Ben said as he turned to the duo. "And I'm pretty sure you're marked as well."
"What did I do?!" Miss Valentine asked incredulously.
"As I recall, any agent that's been captured is considered compromised and thus cut out of the company," Fuu said, Igaram nodding in confirmation.
"Moving on, I'm honestly surprised Alabasta would break out into civil war," Draco said.
"It wasn't sudden. For years now the signs of revolution had begun to appear." Vivi clarified.
"How is that possible?" Penny asked. "My father showed me much about the world and from what I recalled, Nefertari Cobra was always a benevolent ruler."
Draco nodded in agreement. "The people wanted for nothing under his reign when Dad and I visited."
"That was ten years ago. But recently someone has been manipulating events to make it look like Father has become a despot. Now the kingdom is starting to fall into chaos." Vivi said. "Just as I was starting to lose hope, I heard the name of an organization, Baroque Works, that was behind the manipulation. Unfortunately, I couldn't get any other information. Unable to do anything on my own, I asked Igaram for my help."
"Quite frankly I was shocked. Vivi was always annoyed with me med-*cough* Ma-ma-ma... With me meddling in her business ever since she was a child. But when she sincerely asked for my help in finding a way to infiltrate Baroque Works, I decided I had to agree." Igaram said. "Alabasta is my home too, after all. And I am deeply concerned about what might happen to my friends and family. Especially my wife."
"The boss may have said his goal was to create an ideal nation, but it's a lie. His real goal is to take over the Alabasta Kingdom!" Vivi said angrily. "That's why I need to hurry back and stop the fighting."
"It might not be that simple. If whoever Mr. 0 is has been manipulating people for that long, then he's got plants on both sides of the war, making sure to keep it going. So words alone won't cut it." Bamia said.
"But who is the boss anyway?" Sonson asked.
"Sir Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea." Mifune suddenly spoke up. "And also the bastard I'm hunting down."
Vivi tensed and almost screamed in shock…before remembering the Unluckies were locked up and how strong her current company was.
Draco was similarly shocked. "Seriously?! No wonder he's keeping his company secret. If the World Government found out he was trying to overthrow a nation under their jurisdiction they'd reinstate his bounty."
"What do you mean?" Nojiko asked.
"When the World Government appoints a pirate captain as a Warlord, their bounty is effectively frozen and can't be collected. But if a Warlord makes an attack on the World Government, they'll reinstate the bounty and for all intents and purposes, the Warlord is fired." Draco explained. "Crocodile is easily in Mihawk's league and is one of the three Warlords I've personally met while staying with Dad, the other two being Mihawk and First Son of the Sea Jinbe."
"Seriously?!" Gin gawked. "If he's in the same league as Mihawk..."
"Easy, Uncle Gin. No need to freak out now." Noire said.
"Great, hunted by a Warlord the moment we enter the Grand Line," Nami grumbled.
"We're effectively fugitives! Targets for assassination!" Double-D panicked. "What to do? What to do?! I could use some help here!"
Eddy, with practiced ease, grabbed a mattress and slammed it onto Double D as he ranted,
"Thank you." The smartest Ed said in a calm, almost machine-like voice. "I needed that."
"I forget what we're doing!" Ed said with an innocent dopey smile, Eddy giving him a look in response.
"Great Captain Draco-Boy, how did you encounter he who is named after a Crocodile?" Rolf asked.
"He tried to challenge my dad to a fight once and got his butt kicked right out of the New World for his troubles. I think there's still an imprint of him in the Red Line." Draco smirked. "Warlords may be powerful, but the Yonko are the top dogs among pirates for a reason."
"Man, the more I hear about your dad, the more I want to surpass him!" Hilda beamed.
"That said, Crocodile is not going to be a pushover. He's early New World level, so he will be a serious challenge." Draco warned. "His bounty at the time he became a Warlord was 80 million Berris."
"We do have some leeway. With the Unluckies locked up, Crocodile doesn't know what you look like yet. Mr. 13 is amazingly good at sketch artistry." Mr. 9 pointed out.
"Not to mention I ended the broadcast after the fight was over. So he likely doesn't know we're trying to get to Alabasta." Gottfried added.
"That may be, but Crocodile has always been crafty," Draco said. "He'd likely be able to guess what we're doing, so we can't just go straight there."
"Oh good, I was worried it'd be too easy..." Ruby sighed.
"What fun is it when things are easy, child?" Heart chuckled, patting the Kraken Fishman on the head.
"Room for three more?"
They all turned to see Rosa, Mifune, and Fuu standing at the portside, each carrying a burlap sack.
"I just found my sister after so long. It'll take more than the end of the world to split us up now." Rosa smiled, making Hilda tear up as she opened her arms for her sister to embrace her.
"I do enjoy a challenge," Sanji smirked before Noire pulled him away by the ear.
"They're sisters, ya perv."
"And your reasons would be?" Axol asked the remaining two.
"I want to see how far Zoro and Kuina go," Mifune said.
"Among other things," Fuu added with a smirk. "And where he goes? I go. Besides, you'll all probably end up going to my dream destination anyway."
"And that would be?" Nami asked.
"I'll let you know when we've sorted out this whole…saving a kingdom thing."
Zoro and Kunia then looked at the captains desperately.
"I think I may know where Fuu wants to go…and yeah, we do need to go there eventually." Draco mused, motioning them on. Before they did so, Fuu beamed and hugged Mifune before dragging him aboard.
"Please take care of the princess," Igaram said as he began to set off with Miss Monday and Mr. 9.
"Hey, just in case we don't see each other again, you should know... My name's Zimmerman King." Mr. 9 said.
"And mine's Clarine," Miss Monday added.
Vivi smiled and nodded. "Stay safe. And thank you."
The Straw Hats bid the decoy ship farewell as they boarded their own ship.
"Sheesh, how do you all fit in this caravel?" Fuu asked.
"We're thinking of getting more ships. Hopefully, we can find some good sellers." Gin said.
"Hold on!" Vivi called out. "I just remembered! I'm still missing Carue! We can't leave without him!"
"Who's Carue?" Penny asked.
"He's my pet supersonic duck; my best friend and guardian!" Vivi explained.
"Would he happen to be the big duck pecking Lumpy right now?" Eddy asked.
Everyone looked at Ed and sure enough, a man-sized duck wearing a wool cap and saddle was pecking his head curiously.
"Awww, he likes me, guys!"
"Carue!" Vivi cried as she ran over and hugged the duck. "I'm so glad to see you're alright!"
"There's no way I'd ever leave you alone, Vivi. You've always been my best friend!" Carue smiled.
Vivi yelped in alarm as she pointed at Carue.
"C-Carue! Y-You just talked!"
"I did?" Carue asked before his eyes widened. "I did! I can talk!"
"Eh, that's because of me." Gottfried clarified. "My Devil Fruit lets me translate for other animals."
"Wow, I sound so high-pitched! And I'm talking so fast too!" Carue noted.
Draco suddenly got a brainstorm and walked over to Vivi.
"Hey, Vivi, we can assume Carue is trustworthy, right?"
"Of course! He and his racing unit have been loyal guards of the Alabasta royal family for generations."
Draco nodded and went into the storage room before coming out with theSickle-Sickle Fruit.
"Is that a Devil Fruit?" Vivi asked.
"We wound up getting it by chance after Draco killed the previous user. None of us wanted to eat it, and we decided selling it would be too big a risk going forward." Gin explained. "So, we kept it on hand to give to someone we believed could be trustworthy."
"Wait, you want me to eat it?" Carue asked. "What does it do though?"
"It creates razor wind. The original user, Eric, could only do so through his nails, but you might be able to use it more creatively." Draco said.
"Alright then, down the hatch!" Carue said as he took the Devil Fruit and swallowed the whole thing. "Bleh! It tastes like dirty nails..."
However, the effect was immediate, as the feathers at the edge of his wings seemed to sharpen into daggers and his talons grew sharper as well.
"Whooo!" Eddy cheered. "Man, I wanna get my own Devil Fruit now!"
"Easy, Eddy. You know the drawback all Devil Fruits give those who eat them, remember?" Double-D pointed out.
"So what? I was never much of a swimmer anyway!"
-OP-
As the Merry left Cactus Island, they were observed by a certain woman. She was Miss All-Sunday, the vice president of Baroque Works. For a while, she had considered sneaking onto the ship, but it was clear Gottfried would pick her out quickly. And she was not confident she could handle pirates with all three categories of Devil Fruits at their disposal.
"That said... They might be what I need to get out of this life. But first things first. There's something I need to confirm. I need to thank those Straw Hats. I've gone this long in Baroque Works without actually killing anyone."
Miss All-Sunday had already figured out that Vivi and Igaram were trailing her to find Crocodile and had let them. She didn't think it would matter in the long term. Of course, she had to reveal this to keep her position. There was a very good reason she needed it, after all. She giggled as she got on her giant all-terrain turtle, Banchi.
"Monkey D. Luffy... The Son of Whitebeard...The so-called Monkey Queen...and HIS son." She noted. "I wonder if Crocodile can actually handle this one."
Then she heard a sound and frowned as she picked up a sleeping snail.
"Yes, Mr. 0?"
"Are you keeping an eye on the Straw Hats? Your last report put you in their area."
He was anxious about them. Good. She could use this. But for now, it was time to play the role of loyal Vice president.
"I caught sight, yes." Miss-All-Sunday mused. "But Gottfried makes infiltration near impossible at the moment. It also appears that Mr. 7, Miss Thanksgiving, and Miss Happy Halloween have betrayed us…Mr. 7 seems to know what you did to the Swordsmen….I can continue to observe them if you wish."
"…For a week. Then hurry back."
"Understood. And speaking of Alabasta; how is our little trump card? Still unaware he's been kidnapped?"
"Heh," Crocodile smirked as he took a drag off his cigar. "That and doing wonders for the call girls; apparently a cute little boy who calls them pretty all day boosts morale….He has been asking about you and Mr. 2 though."
Miss All-Sunday smiled. "Well, I'll be sure to visit him when I get back."
She did like the little fellow; always down for a story and eager to learn. He did have one glaring flaw, but he was so young it was enduring and cute, rather than annoying and perverse.
"And on a related note, do you have any word on…THEM?"
"I assume you mean the crew of the Chimera-Carpet?" Miss-All-Sunday asked. "Last I heard, they were at Fishman Island for some ceremony."
"…I'll have to try and contact Jinbei, see if he knows anything." Crocodile mused. "That probably also means they've taken out Mr. 6. Still, even with their Captain's Devil Fruit, it'll take a miracle for them to reach Alabasta in time. And when they do I'll have forced the brat to use his Devil Fruit."
That line made Miss All Sunday inwardly grimace, but she kept it to herself until the call ended.
"To think the Devil Fruit Big Mom meant for her son Daifuku would end up eaten by the fourth in line for Alabasta's throne..."
With that, she motioned Banchi to follow the Straw Hats from a distance as she tried to formulate the best way to go about this…
Knightmare Lord A/N:
Combined both Whiskey Peak chapters and give Mifune the Mist-Mist Fruit.