Chapter 10: Rage of the Shark, Part 2

I do not own One Piece! That will always belong to Eiichiro Oda! I only own my Ocs.

"So, where would the captain go to do this?" Longtooth said as he, Blade, Ryder, and Van disembarked.

"From wat ah recall," Blade said. "Catragrahpers do surveys of da places dey want to make a map. Ah remember before we left Unity da Capn' gettin' such equipment, and when we found 'im dere was nuthin' like dat wit 'im."

"Which indeed means the captain was attacked somewhere's else," Longtooth said.

Van, while listening, caught a faint scent when the slight gentle breeze shifted. Following it, he went to the spot where Kuroobi and the others had been hiding. "Here!" he called back to Longtooth, Blade, and Ryder. "This how the captain was tracked!"

Longtooth and the others joined the lycanthrope. Ryder inspected the broken branches of a small bush and found a small piece of cloth. "We have a clue, but it's not much," the black tiger shark said.

"Can you track them?" Longtooth asked Van.

"I don't need that cloth," Van growled. "I recognize these scents easily. It's that fucking Fishmen lot that was with Genghis."

Longtooth's eyes narrowed. "Those fucking bastards," he snarled. "I warned them what would happen if they dared to anger me."

"Wait," Blade said. "Are ye saying dat it be dat Kuroobi and Chew?"

"That's what I'm saying exactly," Longtooth said. "The captain was a damn fool to trust them."

"Longtooth, Riptide didn't truly trust them," Ryder pointed out. "He allowed them to remain because we needed all the help we could get for that fight."

"Helped then decided to then go after him," Van said. "The bastards watched the ship, so they knew the boy would be alone. That's a low dirty trick if you ask me."

"We need to go where they ambushed the captain," Ryder said.

"Aye, dat we need ta do," Blade agreed.

Van took off the scent now known, with Longtooth, Blade, and Ryder following. The sun was starting to set when they arrived at the spot.

"Dere's da Capn's instruments," Blade said, kneeling by the survey equipment. He picked up the stained notebook and noted blood splatter on the ground. "Da blood….dis be evidence dat da Capn' was shot."

"Shot? Are you sure, Blade?" Ryder said.

"I can still smell the gunpowder," Van said, still following his nose. "No matter how long it's been, coming from here." He stopped at the wood's edge. "Bloody rotten bastards for ambushing someone like that."

Longtooth remained silent as he looked about, his rage slowly building as he imagined what his captain went through. "He was eating when they attacked him," the mako said, finding the half-eaten remains of Riptide's lunch. "Damn their cursed hides for this."

Van was stilling on scent patrol going to the edge. "He jumped," he turned his attention to the others. "The only means of escape was to jump."

Ryder joined him, peering down to the woods below. "The gods were with the captain," he said. "That is a jump to one's death, and somehow our captain survived."

"If ye want ta believe dat. Da Capn' still be hurt frum dat jump," Blade said as he gathered up his captain's belongings, then looked out towards the bay. "Hey! Ah see da lights of a ship!"

"What?!" Longtooth looked. "You're right. Those are the lights of a ship."

"Can we be sure it's those who attacked Riptide?" Ryder said. "We must be sure it is them."

"I know it's them," Longtooth said. "I can feel it."

"So do we go and get the others or….?" Van asked.

"No," Longtooth growled. "We go and show these wretched bastards the genuine rage of the shark."

~~.~~.~~

Nanaue arrived at the village of Leilani's birth. "I seek the great healers of the village," he called out.

The villagers emerged from their homes, looking at the one they believed to be the great king of the sharks. "Why do you need the healers, O' great and mighty Kamohoali'i?" the village chief.

"The one who aided in your liberation has been injured," Nanaue said. "Leilani spoke of healers who have the gifts to mend broken bones."

The chief frowned. "Leilani has no right to ask of you for the aid of the healers. Therefore, I will not grant her request."

"You dared to deny aid to the one who helped you?" Nanaue said. "Is this how you show thanks by refusing to help him?"

"Chief, this is foolishness," Moano said. "I told you before that one has the power great as the gods. We all witnessed his authority when he summoned the great spirits of the gods. The very gods could destroy the village, yet they did not."

"It does not matter if that one had the power of the gods!" the chief said. "He is an outsider, and Leilani dared to take that demon Itachi as a husband!"

Nanaue couldn't understand how his father could love such creatures. Finally, the chief spoke of disrespect to his friend and the girl who asked him to help. The son of Kamohoali'i felt his heart fill with anger. "How dare you?!" he snarled. "How dare you decide what your people will and will not do?! You do not think of others, nor do you care how they feel! You are no chief!"

"What did you say!?" The village chief said.

"You heard me," Nanaue said. "You are no chief. You do not care for your village nor the people in it. You care only for one person. Yourself!"

"You know nothing of this village or what this island has suffered," the chief yelled angrily. "When we truly needed you, where were you, great shark king? Where was the o' mighty Kamohoali'i when we truly needed him?! You were not here! You turned your back on the people who have followed your great law."

The chief's words sent a wave of shock through all of the people of the village. Nanaue struggled to find the right words while controlling his anger. He didn't expect Moana to move away from the villagers and take his place by his side.

"No chief before you has ever spoken of disrespect towards the great shark gods," Moana said. "My father, grandfather, great grandfather, and every male of my family always told stories of how the great Kamohoali'i with his soldiers and the other good shark gods fought for the humans they loved against the evil sharks."

There was much agreement to what Moana had said; they all had grown up hearing those great tales and respecting the might of the shark gods.

"Yet we did a great sin when we welcomed that evil one," Moana said. "We believed he was one of the gods, but he wasn't. Instead, he was a monster in the form of one of the gods, and like fools, we welcomed him."

"You have no right to speak, Moana," the chief said. "You are no longer part of this village, and you dare to continue to speak in my presence."

"That is sadly true," Moana said. "But what about your son? Nalâni was the one who offered Genghis the children, our children, as sacrifices to a false god. So the day we decided to challenge Genghis, we lost so many warriors, as did many other villages who lost their warriors and chiefs. I am not proud of the part I played in it, but after seeing the might of the one who helped, I knew it was my chance to redeem myself and pray that my ancestors would forgive me for the sins I had done."

Nanaue looked at the man and saw what his father would have considered a man who felt shame for his actions. A man who decided to seek redemption for his shameful acts. If there was anyone more worthy to be chief, it was him. The shark man looked at the village chief and knew that this was the chief the village needed.

"I, the great and mighty Kamohoali'i, declare this man your new chief!" Nanaue said, placing a hand on Moana's shoulder, his voice commanding.

Moana looked at him in disbelief, as did the villagers and the former village chief.

"You have no right to do this!" the old leader screamed with rage.

"I do have the right," Nanaue said. "You no longer care for your people; you disrespect not only me but all the gods, allowing horrible sacrifices to occur, and then you refuse to help the one who aided in your freedom. In my eyes, you're unworthy to lead these people."

The old village leader stood fuming as the great healers approached Nanaue and Moana, the new village chief. "Chief, with your blessing and the shark king's wisdom, we shall go and do as asked."

Moana blinked and nodded. "Yes," he said. "Go and see that all your wise abilities in the ancient healing ways are used to help our friend." Moana looked to the rest of his people. "Gather up what we can spare in food and other things, then we shall go and bestow these gifts to our saviors."

Cheers filled the air as the villagers went to fill their chief's request.

~~On Wavecutter~~

"I can't believe this," Marcus said as the rest of the Saw crew gathered in the dining room. "First Destiny and now Riptide."

"What are the odds of both the captain and first mate being unable to handle their duties?" Zanfar said. "I can't help but feel that this crew might be cursed."

"Don't be saying such nonsense!" Thor said. "Riptide was ambushed by damn cowards too afraid to face him."

"Has anyone seen Blade or Longtooth?" Nami said, coming into the room.

"I haven't seen Ryder either," Kailueale said.

"Calling your dad by his first name doesn't seem right," Trapper said.

"Father?!" Kailueale snorted. "I'll never call him that."

"Don't say that," Long said. "He is your father no matter what's he's done."

"Funny," the young tiger shark said. "Riptide doesn't share your opinion on your father."

Long fell silent, averting his eyes. "Riptide has been hurt by so many others growing up that he naturally hates our father."

Nami looked at her youngest. "Long, what do you mean?"

"Other children tortured Riptide growing up," Long said. "We all were, but Rip had it worse because he looked so much like our father. I remember all the bruises and bloody injuries he had."

Nami was upset. "Nokijo didn't do anything about it?"

"She spoke to the families, but her words fell on deaf ears, and it slowly grew worse until Riptide got older and more muscular. Genzo feared, as did Aunt Nojiko, that Riptide would take revenge on his tormentors."

"He didn't?" Marcus asked.

Long shook his head. "No, instead, he started protecting the whole island. But, of course, everyone didn't expect it, especially when Rip communicated with the sharks in the area."

"What do you mean by that?" Chizz asked curiously.

"A severe storm hit that year," Long said. "Not all the fishing boats were back, and Riptide went looking for them. Destiny and I went along with him."

"Did you find them?" Trapper said.

"We did, and they were in danger," Long said. "The boats were in danger of sinking, and their masts had been destroyed in the storm."

"I don't see how this deals with your father," Kailueale said.

"Hush it," Thor said. "I want to hear how this ends."

"Are you serious?" Kaiuleale said. "I fail to see the point in this story. Riptide hates his father, and I understand. What I don't get is this damn story Long is telling. How does this connect Riptide to hating his father? It doesn't. Think about it."

"Why are you being so rude and negative?" Thor asked.

Kaiuleale stared at the hammerhead shark, wondering if Thor had lost some damn sense. "Are you missing the point?" he said. "Riptide was tormented because he looks like his father and hates his dad. It makes sense right there, so what does this story do with the hate and torture he went through?"

"Riptide is upholding Fisher Tiger's final words before he died," Jimbei said. "Fisher Tiger expressed that we shouldn't live for hatred or revenge. Arlong sadly didn't take those words to heart, and yet Riptide has. He shows compassion towards those who hate and hurt him, proving that he is nothing like Arlong."

Silence followed, and Jimbei looked at Long. "So what became of the fishing ships? You mentioned Riptide had a unique gift to speak to fish."

Long nodded. "We didn't know that he could, and the next thing we know, sharks were arriving, whale sharks and a big scarred female great white Rip called Nanny. He had the whale sharks swim right under the boats while Nanny helped with anyone who fell into the stormy waters."

Jimbei was amazed. Riptide was a mix of Fisher Tiger and Queen Otohime, living up to Tiger's words before he died and the beloved queen's desire to see humans and their race coexist. The whale shark knew that the ability to speak with fish was usually unique to merfolk, and yet it seemed Riptide had the same ability as him.

"Still don't see the whole point," Kaiuleale muttered. "So Riptide saved some fishermen who got careless during a storm. It still doesn't prove anything."

Trapper knocked on his head roughly. "Hello? Try the difference between compassion and being a hateful ass? Pretty clear to me. Riptide's dad is a significant jerk hater of humans, and Riptide is the complete opposite. Big difference right there."

Kaiuleale rubbed his head. "Okay, I fucking damn get it. But that doesn't mean I'll change my opinion of my so-called father. He abandoned my mother after she told him she was pregnant. She died when I was young, and I had to struggle to survive independently."

"Are you sure that's the real story?" Thor asked.

"What does that mean?!" Kaiuleale said.

"Maybe Ryder was protecting you both," Thor said. "Stryker was a damn evil bastard, and we all know what he did before Riptide ended him. He murdered Lady Shella and attacked several towns on Unity. Hell, Overbite and a few Protectors were loyal to his sick ideas. So think what might have happened if Stryker knew about you and your mom before you trashed your father. Shit, Skie had it worse, and we both know her."

"What about Skie?" Neeta asked.

"What I did to my children pales to what that poor girl went through," Marcus said. "Skie's parents never loved her, treated her like a slave, calling her a freak."

"Because she's like Riptide in color?" Nami said.

"Yes," Marcus said. "Instead of looking at their daughter as a beautiful gift, her parents hated and abused her. So I was glad when Blade finally arrested those abusers giving Izzy and Gunner the chance to adopt and raise her as their daughter."

"Gunner and Izzy?" Nami said.

"Friends of mine," Marcus said. He looked a little saddened. "They decided to leave and closed their clothing store. Skie was so lost when they left when she learned to be a healer. I never understood why they chose to go. One day decided they needed to have some crazy adventure and close the clothing store, which they ran for years. Those two are older than me. Where did they get the crazy idea to go out and have an adventure?"

~~.~~.~~

Skie wanting some tea to calm her emotions, was starting to open the door to the dining room when she heard Marcus mention her adopted parents. The mere mention of Izzy and Gunner nearly made her break down right there, and all she could do was rush to her and Riptide's quarters. She didn't want anyone to see her like this, or they would question her.

Once inside, she locked the door before sitting on the floor, where she broke down crying. She hadn't thought of her adopted parents for so long, and for Marcus to mention just broke back all the emotional pain she had to keep buried for so long. Skie had missed them and wanted them to return to Unity Island one day, but they had been gone for so long that she wondered if they were even alive. Gunner and Izzy weren't young, and they were up in their years. What if they had been captured by slavers and sold on the human market? Skie felt fear grip her heart. They wouldn't even survive a day, and Gunner, a sawfish Fishman—Skie shook her head, trying not to even think of the horrors that would happen to her adoptive father.

Skie knew she had to find them, but she had no idea where in all the Blues they could be?

~~.~~.~~

"I can't believe we couldn't find him," Salmo said as he and the others returned to the marine ship.

"I hope the captain isn't dead, chu," Chew said, then looked at Kuroobi. "Why did you shoot him?! He's Arlong-san's son, and if Arlong were here, he would damn kill you for that!"

"Arlong-san would never accept him, and no doubt would kill himself," Kuroobi said.

"You don't know that!" Take said.

Kuroobi glared at them all. "You think Arlong-san would admit that he was with Nami? That he is a father to hybrids?! He would sooner kill them before accepting something like this!"

Take, and the others were quiet as they thought about this. They weren't sure if Arlong would allow a son, a hybrid son he knew nothing of, to take his place. Kuroobi saw they were starting to doubt their decision; now, he just had to convince them that he was right.

"He's hurt, and his crew….they're a joke compared to our strength," the stingray said. "We can easily take his ship and with it find Arlong-san. But, of course, Arlong would want that vessel as his."

Jellicoe stepped out from below deck, still not fully recovered but enough that he could leave. He heard Kuroobi and snorted. "You signed yourself to an early death," the jellyfish said. "Three of that crew are old pirates with impressive bounties, and they aren't weaklings."

"How do you?" Kuroobi said with a glare.

Jellicoe laughed. "You'll find out," he said. "I'm out of here. I'm an assassin, not a dumb pirate. Bastard Genghis never paid me the dues he promised me, and I have other jobs that will damn pay. Adiôs losers."

Kuroobi could care less about the Jellicoe leaving. "Gather your weapons, and let's claim a new ship for ourselves!"

The others cheered.

~~.~~.~~

"Dere's da ship," Blade said.

"So, how do you want to do this?" Van asked.

Longtooth was watching the silent marine ship, coming up with a plan. "Ryder," he said. "Sneak aboard and see if there's anyone around."

The black tiger shark nodded. Being trained in the art of stealth, the Fishman moved in silence and climbed aboard. Unfortunately, the ship was silent, and Ryder didn't like it. He searched the entire vessel and found it was deserted. He returned to his companions.

"Longtooth, she's deserted," Ryder said.

"Deserted? Where be da crew?" Blade said, looking at his friend.

"I feel where they might be," the snag tooth mako said. "Van, you and Ryder remain here. I want you to damn plunder this ship of anything that can be useful for us."

"Plunder? Seriously?" the lycanthrope said.

"Ye can't be serious?" Blade said.

Longtooth looked at them, eyes narrowed. "I'm deadly serious. Take food, weapons, whatever you can, and I want you to set it on fire."

"What?" Van said. "It's a marine ship!"

"It might be a marine ship, but that doesn't mean its crew is marines," Longtooth said. "I know those bastards that hurt our captain came to this island using that ship. So I'm going to make sure that they won't have a ship to return to."

"Longtooth, if we do dat," Blade pointed out. "Den da people here will be in danger from dem."

"They won't," Longtooth said. "I plan on making sure every last bastard is damn dead."

Blade and Ryder looked at Longtooth, both knew he wanted revenge for what happened to Riptide, and he would have it. Macro's murder by Stryker still haunted Longtooth, and with Riptide severely injured, it brought those memories back. Hell, it haunted Blade and Ryder.

"I will make sure that ship is nothing but a burning wreck," Ryder said, turning to Van. "Let's go."

Van hesitated for a brief moment before he followed Ryder. Blade turned his attention to Longtooth.

"Dey be headin' fer da Wavecutter?"

"I'm sure they plan to take our ship, and no doubt force our crewmates into either joining or dying," Longtooth said.

"Dey won't do dat, and dat we both know," Blade said.

"That's why you and I must make sure that nothing happens to them or the captain," Longtooth said. "I will not see my captain murdered like before."

Blade nodded, and the pair rushed back to their ship.

~~.~~.~~

Riptide was not doing well, and Leilani was growing more concerned. Where were Kamohoali'i and the healers? Surely her village wouldn't deny the shark king's request?

"Skie…."

Leilani moved closer to the weakened sawtooth. "She isn't here," she said.

"Not here?" Riptide said. "Why? She's our doctor, and no doctor would turn their back on a patient."

"She was emotionally upset, and I thought it would be wise if she calmed herself," Leilani said. "Is there something you need?"

Riptide looked away. "She hates me," he said, tears filling his eyes. "My wife hates me…."

"No," Leilani said. "Don't think that. Don't put such a don't in your heart."

Riptide turned his head, looking at Leilani. And before he could speak, there was a scream, loud and full of fear. Ignoring the pain that wracked his body and the injuries he had, Riptide quickly sat up. "SKIE!"

~~A few moments earlier~~

Skie, having calmed some but her thoughts still on her adopted parents, went out on deck to get some air. She looked up at the darkening evening sky, watching the first of the stars become visible. Inside she felt torn about what had happened to Riptide. He promised that he wouldn't go alone, yet he broke that promise to her. Sadly, Skie was lied to before by someone she cared about, and now Riptide lied to her.

"What would Riptide and the others think of me if they knew I once loved Overbite?" she thought sadly.

Not even Longtooth knew that his son had been seeing Skie; if he had, would he have been happy for him at the time? The relationship had been good until Overbite became processive of her and her whereabouts. Then, the young mako started accusing her of cheating on him which was never confirmed, but he refused to believe her. It wasn't long before their relationship fell apart, and Overbite could have cared less that she left crying and heartbroken. Skie was afraid to love again until she saw Riptide, and she knew he was the one. Suddenly, she started to question if she had once more made a mistake.

Skie was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice nor hear Chew as he climbed aboard until he grabbed her, placing a dagger to her throat. A scream tore from her throat, loud and full of fear.

"Shut up!" Kuroobi said, yanking her from Chew and throwing her to the deck.

"Skie!"

She looked up as Kaiuleale with the others rushed out. The young tiger shark was knocked to the deck and pinned down while their friends were surrounded.

"Kuroobi, what is the meaning of this?!" Nami shouted.

"Where is he?" Kuroobi said. "Where is that cursed freak that you tricked Arlong into having?"

"Don't you speak of my brother like that," Long said.

"Another son, chu?!" Chew said. "Two sons and a daughter!" He looked around the deck. "I don't see the girl, though, chu."

"Find her," Kuroobi snapped.

Take with Salmo hurried below the deck, only to come flying right onto the deck. They skidded right into the mast. The rest of the Arlong pirates looked to see Riptide, weakened from blood loss and injuries, step out, his brown eyes full of rage. His right arm hung at his side.

"Get the hell away from my Nakama!" Riptide said. "Before I make you, you fucking bastards!"

Skie knew there was no possible way that Riptide could fight. He could barely stand! Was he genuinely insane?! "Riptide, no!" she said. "You're too badly hurt! You can't-"

"I don't care!" Riptide snapped. "I don't care if I'm dying. I will not let anyone I care for get hurt or killed because of me!"

"Riptide…." Nami whispered, seeing Luffy in her son. Luffy's righteous heart was shining right through him.

Like his carefree and crazy adventure-loving uncle, Riptide despised cruelty and the wickedness of those who would do such actions. However, he stood no chance of driving off Kuroobi and the others from the ship in his current condition. His crew knew it.

"Rip, don't be crazy and take these shitheads on!" Kaiuleale said. "You're fucking hurt!"

"Please," Skie begged, looking at Riptide. "Please, husband, don't be foolish!"

"Husband?" Kuroobi looked at Skie, then at Riptide. "So, this little beauty is your wife?"

"Don't you dare touch her," Riptide snarled. "You touch a mere hair on her head, and I'll—"

"You'll what?" Kuroobi said. "You can barely stand, and seeing how badly hurt you are after that suicide jump; I'm surprised you survived."

"Jumped?" Skie stared at Riptide. "You jumped and nearly killed yourself to get away from them?"

"I didn't have a choice, Skie!" Riptide said, fear on his face as he looked at her. "Chief…. He wasn't there when I asked for his help. I can't sense him anymore."

"He can't sense Arlong the Black," Marcus said. "That can't be right. It can't be."

"This is not good at all," Grinder said worriedly. "How could the spiritual bond be ruined?"

"If Rip can't sense him, then that's not good?" Tarl said.

"It is not," Grinder said. "How could this have happened?"

"We need to stop worrying over some dead chieftain," Trapper said. "Riptide isn't looking good; all we're doing is standing around looking stupid."

"We're damn surrounded and outnumbered," Thor said.

"We have to do something," Trapper said.

"I'm up for any suggestions," Nami said. "Because the longer we wait, the less chance Riptide has against them."

~~.~~.~~

Riptide knew he was in trouble; he was in pain and needed medical attention for his injured shoulder. Now he felt like he was burning up, which could mean a fever. How long could he last before he lost consciousness? He was sure, but he had to do something. Keiuleale and Skie's lives were in danger, as were the others, minus Butch, Sunflash, and Poseidon were still in the cargo hold. There was no sign of Gaff, but he had been told that the Kuda hybrid was keeping an eye on Destiny. He realized that he had yet to see Longtooth, Blade, and Ryder. Wait, didn't Grinder have a friend staying with them as well? What was his name again? Van! That was the name of Grinder's friend.

"What will you try to do?" Kuroobi said. "It's clear you're close to passing out."

"Hagesuto!"

Riptide blinked as both Longtooth and Blade appeared from nowhere, swinging their weapons in unison as they rushed Chew and the other Arlong Pirates. The co-leaders of the Protectors took out the ones closest to them while their companions were knocked off their feet by the powerful gust that followed the attack.

"Blade! Longtooth!" Riptide said, just as he dropped to a knee.

The two were on either side of him.

"Leave dis ta us, Capn'," Blade said.

"Where's Ryder and Van?" Riptide said with a slight wheeze in his breath.

"Dey be takin' care of some business," the metal nose sawtooth said.

Longtooth looked at Riptide with great concern. He saw that he was struggling not to pass out in front of them and the enemy. Anger filled him as he turned his attention to Kuroobi.

"I warned you," he snarled. "I warned you not to piss me off. You had to attack our captain; you had to try and kill him. I'm not going to see another captain of mine murdered by fucking cowards."

"How do ye want ta do dis?" Blade said.

"The rest of those bastards are yours," Longtooth said. "But that fucker in front of us, he's mine!"

Kuroobi was grinning. "What can an old fool like you do?"

"Ah wouldn't have said dat," Blade said, glancing at his friend.

"Old fool?!" Longtooth had a dangerous look in his eyes. "I'll show you what this old fool can do!"

Longtooth snared as he rushed towards the ray Fishman and before everyone's eyes, the snag tooth mako somehow got behind Kuroobi. Kuroobi was starting to turn when Longtooth grabbed him by his ponytail, hurling him right off Wavecutter to the shore; the ray rolled like an out-of-control barrel before he managed to come to a stop. Longtooth was moving with incredible speed known with the shortfin mako, and he once more grabbed Kuroobi by his ponytail, slamming him on the ground or right against a tree with relentless rage.

Chew and his comrades were now more concerned over Kuroobi, and they rushed to the railing leaving the Saw crew unguarded. Seeing Riptide struggling not to pass out, Skie took the chance and ran to him.

"Rip," she said, cupping his face. "You're burning up!"

"I fear I may have developed a fever," Riptide said as sweat ran down his face. He looked at his father's old crew. "We need to get them off the ship."

"Why?" Kaiuleale said.

Blade had glanced at his captain, understanding very well what he meant. "Ah have no desire ta be wreckin' da ship."

"We can rush them," Tarl said.

"We're still outnumbered," Nami said. "And one mistake could cause damage to the ship or injury to any of us."

"Ye be havin' a suggestion?" Blade said, gripping the two-handed double-edge bearded axe.

"Yes, but I don't think I can do it," Riptide wheezed. "Long, call him."

The copper hybrid looked at his brother in surprise. "Call? What do you mean…." Long stopped as he realized what Riptide was saying. Then, as he cupped his hands around his mouth, the cook yelled at the top of his lungs, praying that their friend indeed heard. "MOMOO!"

Long's yell had not gone unnoticed, and Kaneshiro, as the sea rose near Wavecutter, followed by a deep bellow. "Momoo!" he shouted in disbelief.

"What?!" Chew and the others turned as their old battle beast leaned down.

Momoo sniffed; he could smell blood. His muzzle moved closer to Riptide; a worried moo followed. What was wrong with his friend?

"Momoo," Nami said, pointing right at Chew and the others. "That's who did it!"

The sea cow turned his attention to the direction she pointed. He recognized every former member of the Arlong Pirates, staring for the longest time before he looked at Riptide again. Then, without a thought, the captain of the Saw Pirates opened his blood-stained vest, showing his wound, which was in great need of attention. Momoo reared his head up, an angry roar filling the air, and for the first time in their lives, the Arlong Pirates were afraid of Momoo. Then, like Riptide was counting on, Chew and the others jumped ship.

"Tank ye fer dat!" Blade said, following right after their enemy. "Where da ye ladies dink ye be goin'?!"

Realizing that the older saw shark was following them, the Arlong pirates stopped knowing they did outnumber him. Marcus was at the railing with Nami, watching.

"Stupid fools," the longfin mako said. "That's the worst mistake they can make.

"Is Blade that strong?" Nami asked.

"Very," Marcus said.

Blade had a crocky grin as he swung the axe. "Surasshugeiru!"

With an axe head that was 45 cm in length and 35 cm wide with a shaft length 4 feet long, that unleashed gale was nearly a hurricane. Chew and the others screamed as they suffered cuts as they were sent flying backward. The shipwright glared at them as the luckier ones slowly and painfully got to their feet.

"Ye had enough, or do ah need ta give ye another lesson?"

Chew was hurting as he looked at those still lying on the ground, then realized they were dead in horror. The smelt-whiting looked back at the metal-nosed saw shark. He killed some of their brethren with that single attack! Arlong-san's son had two older crew members, but they were no joking matter. Remembering Kuroobi, Chew looked toward the last place he had seen him.

Now Kuroobi did have the skills as a swordsman but relied on his Fishman karate which sadly was ineffective. The shortfin mako was throwing him from one spot to another by Kuroobi's ponytail. Finally, bruised and battered, the ray Fishman got to his feet and got into a fighting stance.

"I will not lose to an old fool like you," Kuroobi said, spitting some blood from his mouth. "I'm a level 40 black belt in Fishman Karate!"

"40, huh?" Longtooth said. "You're pretty damn weak then. Those who reach level 100 in Fishman Karate are the true masters, and you're a mere guppy in a fish pond."

"I'll show you!" Kuroobi snapped. "My Senmaigawara Seiken is the more potent version of Hyaku Maigawara Seiken! It is the true essence of Fishman Karate since it can not only break one thousand tiles, but it can kill a human with one shot!"

Longtooth was tired of the empty talk and readied his sword. One attack was all he needed to end this. "That's all you seem good at, empty talk!"

"It wasn't empty talk that took down that disgrace to Arlong-san," Kuroobi said. "His injuries are severe, and if they're severe enough, he should die!"

Kuroobi's words made Longtooth see unbelievable rage as memories flashed through his mind. Of Marco being betrayed and murdered by Stryker, who poisoned his only child with lies, corrupting him. Like Ryder, Longtooth allowed his guilt to eat away at his soul. He failed to protect his young captain years ago, was unable to be a father when the love of his life died during childbirth, and failed to keep his promise to her. No more! No more failure!

"Joshio!" Longtooth jumped toward Kuroobi, delivering several slashes against the ray's body using his speed and strength. The attack sent Kuroobi back as gashes appeared over his body. The snag tooth mako sheathed his sword turning away from a fallen Kuroobi. "Don't ever insult my captain."

Chew and the few still lucky enough to be alive hurried to a badly injured Kuroobi. Blade and Longtooth glared at them, more than ready to finish what was started.

"Take yer injured friend and git off dis island," Blade said.

"Which you might more challenging," Longtooth said, looking toward the direction where the captured marine ship had been. "You have no ship, so swimming might be your better chance if you can avoid Momoo."

"What does that mean?" Take said.

"Ye can't smell dat?" Blade said as a breeze blew. "Dat be smellin' like burnin' timbers."

"You burned our ship?!" Salmo yelled.

"Well, what else smells like burning timbers?" Longtooth said. "I start moving if I was you. The locals are coming, and I'm sure they will be more than happy to finish you off like they did those Kuda bastards."

Chew and the others saw that Longtooth spoke true, and helping their wounded comrades, they left.

"Would ye have done it?" Blade asked Longtooth. "Would ye have killed dem?"

"You know the answer to that," Longtooth said, returning to their ship. "You know the answer very well."

"Dat ah do," Blade said.

As for Chew, Kuroobi, and the surviving members of the Arlong Pirates, no one knew when or how, but they were nowhere to be found on the island the following morning.

~~.~~.~~

Riptide was taken to his and Skie's quarters, where Leilani and village healers looked after him. It was the longest night of their lives for the Saws as they waited for any word on Riptide, which did not come until three days later.

"So, what do we do?" Grinder asked. "Do we wait until he is fully awake to make a decision?"

"We should have sailed already," Longtooth said. "We have no reason not to."

The Wavecutter was fully stocked and ready to sail, but the ship lacked a captain and vice-captain.

"Where will we go?" Itachi asked as he cradled his son in his arms. "I do not wish to be mean, but not all of us are fully healed."

"What we need is a vacation," Nami said, looking up from the latest copy of the Grandline News.

"A vacation?" Van said, scratching at his throat. "Where the hell would we find a place for that?"

"Alabasta," Nami said.

"Alabasta?!" Blade said. "Ah be afraid Ah never heard of da place."

Logn was very excited. Since he was young, he had heard of the battle that had taken place in the desert kingdom against Crocodile between Uncle Luffy with the aid of the Axe-head Pirates. "We're going to meet her," he said, his voice full of excitement. "We're going to meet Princess Vivi."

Long wasn't the only one. Nami was very excited; after almost fifteen years, she would see Vivi. 'I wonder how Viv and her father are doing? Since we help take down Crocodile and his Baroque Works, is everything okay?'

So we finally ended this two-part arc and will begin a new adventure. What will the Saw Pirates find when they reach the desert kingdom of Alabasta? Remember to Read and Review.