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Role-Play Name: A Man's War |
Prelude to Mayhem[]
Huff Huff Huff
The sound of a heavy breathing. A figure seemed to lean against a mound of rock. In his hands he held a map which he quickly loaded into his backpack. As he stood up to his height, his face was revealed to be masked, completely undercover as he had infiltrated an island belonging to a monstrous crew within the New World's waters. Oji, home of the O.G Pirates. The lad in this predicament, Pareredolo, had but one task. And he aimed to complete it.
"Fuckin hell, do they ever get tired?" He spoke amongst his pants, albeit softly. Clearly he had been fleeing something or someone. But just who had he been fleeing from? Undoubtedly someone related to those Gunlock bastards.
Oji, much like Pareredolo had come to experience, was quite an odd island, it wasn't too large, but not too small either. Whereas most Desert Islands were exempt from having many sources of water, it was the contrary, it had more than usual, while also being accompanied by several rock mounds and stone hills, the former brown and the latter silver. Sometimes, these hills were mined off their bases, rending materials that could be molded into weapons and many other utensils.
The O.G Pirates easily used the opportunity to create some towns throughout the island, one at the border, one randomly over its landscape, and the final one in the middle.
One of these stone hills that stood closest to where Pareredolo was suddenly exploded, yet, nothing had come through it, no attack, no cannon ball, or anything of the sort. In fact, rather than come from that angle, a silver'ish blurr appeared from another side, the left one, its claws open wide in order to strike Pareredolo. "GOTCHA!" Even if it struck Pareredolo, its impact could easily chop off the mound behind him.
Pareredolo was struck dead in the chest, his body being carried back by the force as he crashed into the mound, it's body destroyed by the force of the attack. As Pareredolo's back met the the mound, his mouth gaping from the pain. Regardless, the man pulled himself together, enough to see who his assailant had been. "Can you back the fuck up, asshat!" He shouted, quickly arming himself with two pistols located on his waist.
"BIRURURURU!" A much familiar laughter filled the area.
Standing tall in front of Pareredolo and his twin pistols was Willy Segundo, one of the O.G crew's Quattro Temporalli and a Pirate with a bounty of 
360,000,000. His silver mane flowed along the wind for a moment, he smirked, showing his sharp teeth.
Willy pointed at Pareredolo. "Drop those off, I can catch 'em shots, BIRURURU!" His eyes closed as he laughed, though, in fact, the sensation was as if he were still staring dead into Pareredolo.
Pareredolo's vision remained on Willy, attentive as any ignoring of the man's movements could spell the difference between his escape or death. "Willy..." He spoke, taking in the sight of the man. Or rather, a fragment of some greater whole of a man. "Regular bullets are fuckin useless, aren't they." He spoke, the question rhetorical, for a sniper would know better than anyone the potency of ammo.
"Good thing I brought these." He whispered to himself this time, loading something circular and green into the barrels of his pistols. Pareredolo leapt backwars, a great distance back than he had achieved up. He aimed the guns at Willy's figure, keeping his face serious. "Take this, asshole!" He shouted, pulling the trigger with intent.
From the guns, two objects bolted towards the ground. Upon collision, from these objects a massive forest of kelp that stretched into the sky would be born, it's primary intention to tangle the Pirate within it's body.
"Uah!" Willy screamed out, suddenly finding himself trapped deep into the dark green, tangling over his limbs and whole body. He tried to move himself away from it, however, the kelp sticked to his body, becoming even tighter as he trashed around.
Despite that, some of his yells could still be heard, "Tricky bastard!" Their sheer density fell over his body, not only holding him, but also pressing over him so that no movement could be mad. "BAAAAASTARD!"
Willy's screams continued to echo, until they were naught but whispers hidden deep inside the kelp maze created by Pareredolo. It seemed that this was the best chance of escape from that damned island and that vicious crew. Pareredolo could only wonder if there were going to be reinforcements of the O.G.
Pareredolo seemed to take delight in his entrapment of Willy, jumping up and down several times as he paraded in his temporary victory. "HAHA! HAHAHA!" He let out, his jumping beginning to cease. Red begun to stain through his shirt, a wound of some sort, perhaps from the attack earlier.
He then held his hand out at Willy, although it had been balled up. He pulled up his other hand, moving it as if he were using some sort of crank. As he did this, his middle finger began to rise, climbing all the way to the point he had been flipping him off. "Fuuuuuuck you! Hahaha! Fuck you!" He shouted, taking his other hand and flipping off Willy with twice the insult, frantically waving both of them around. "Fuck you! Fuck you! Fuuuuck you!"
As Willy's screams continued, Pareredolo realized that this cry would likely alert the other O.G's. "Hey...bro...can you just-" The shouting went on. "I-Can..." On and on they went. "You know what!? Just....Just....FUCK YOU!" Pareredolo ended, quickly turning around and fleeing with what he had came for.
And Willy got all of those, even the smaller ones, Pareredolo's feelings wilded out, anyone with Haki could feel their brunt. Hell, even people without the ability would surely get hit by the animosity. Real humans really were quite the ride.
Despite Pareredolo's blatant actions, Willy hadn't come out of the kelp forest nor rushed past the many plants, cutting them off. Not only that, he would discover that none of the other Quattro Temporalli were remotely close to their location, even with all of the shouting that happened.
Willy only barked and yelled in response to Pareredolo's disrespect at him, however, his body moved no inches, too sunk into the gigantic pile of Kelp. This was indeed Pareredolo's opportunity, it seemed that no matter how important it was what he stole, the others hadn't tracked nor discovered about it yet.
The opportunity was taken, a single boat advancing into the distance with a surprising amount of speed, a jet propelling it across the ocean's surface.
About a few minutes after the conflict between the two, other members of the Quattro Temporalli crossed the distance between their initial locations and the Kelp Forest. Billy Quarto and Billie Primero, who left large trails of dust behind them, their legs having hurried back and forth.
They were Pirates whose bounties surged just like their comrade's, either of them now possessing 300,000,000.
"I feel th' punk's aura inside tha'," Billie pointed at the immense forest in front of them.
Billy blinked and crossed his arms. "Then, it falls upon us to take him out of there-"
A brief light appeared before their eyes, coming through in a horizontal fashion from deep inside the botanical cage, they both ducked in order to avoid a concentrated slash. All of the kelp rose, divided into two by their entirety, then, all of it fell upon its base, generating a small quake on the area and pushing an incredible quantity of dust.
Standing beside them within the blink of an eye was Willy, hands resting behind his head. "Yooo."
"...Th' fuck?!" Billie roared, almost slapping Willy's head. "We thought ya' were caged 'nside there!!"
"Calm down, Billie," Billy motioned for Billie with his palms and, then, focused upon Willy. "I'm glad tha' y're fine, Willy! However, the fact that you were trapped means the intruder escaped?"
"Yeah," Willy nodded, rolling his eyes.
Billie and Billy exchanged looks, the latter spoke first. "Then why did you destroy your imprisoning only now...?"
"Who knows..." Willy sighed, walking off without even sparing a glance at either. "Just lazy," They spared glances at one another again and sighed as well.
It was Billie's time to ask, his shoulders stiff, while his eyes didn't even blink. "Did 'em... did 'em get the box?"
Willy mustered a smile, "BIRURU! Nah, I'd not let 'em go if that 'as the case..." He continued to look onwards, maybe he should pay it a visit.
Schematics for Chaos[]
Foodvalten. The main territory of the Cheeky Pirates. It once was in the clutches of the vicious Delmire and his gang of misfits. However, after being relieved by efforts of Frostbite Envy and his subordinates, the entirety of the island was lifted of the man's terror. Under the banner of the Cheeky Pirates, life had indeed been easier on the island. The natives of the island had been coexisting with pirates rather well. In fact, in recent times, some of the pirates had now been making homes in the lives of the inhabitants.
With such a bond, there had now been questions. Anxieties rose as more ships of the Cheeky Pirates loaded into bay. There had been an all time high as of today, and there was no way of telling if it was going to increase. Talk had been of some war. The Cheeky Pirates were to launch an assault on the O.G Pirates main territory of Oji. Needless to say, the friends, families, and lovers of some of the pirates had been rather worried for the safety of their loved ones. But they were all called to action nevertheless.
Out and About[]
While the big shots of the crew spent their days away in the massive hut at the other end of the island, the rest were tasked with war preparations. Or more accurately, they were tasked with loading anything and everything that would be needed for the battle. And from that same hut miles away, the higher ups could easily see every inch of the pirate's actions, taking advantage of the vantage point it had been placed on, the highest peak of Foodvalten.
At the docks where the ships had been located, some had been transporting numerous crates. Among those transporting such objects was Rhita Bhatt
As she reached the deck of the ship, she placed the crate down in the first available spot she could find. As she placed the box right off of the entrance to the deck. She was confident her frame was small enough to allow everyone to slip by, but when a sudden nudge came to her back side, she couldn't help but rear up.
"Don't touch me pervert!" She shouted, ribbons flaring up behind her as she rose her pygmy hands to slap her assailant. The sound of the slap was accompanied by the sound of heavy metal hitting the ground, then a large plop sound. As Rhita looked up, her eyes met his.
Kelby rubbed against his cheek, red from the sudden strike of Rhita's palm. "God damn, Bhatt." Kelby spoke, balanced in his other hand was a massive sphere made of metal, something which likely weighed much more than he had.
"Don't 'God damn' me! Watch where you're touching people!" She shouted in retaliation, Kelby seemingly keeping a level head even as Rhita screamed at him.
Kelby seemed to pick his ear with his free hand now, pulling something out. He looked at his finger awkwardly, flicking it off into the distance. "How about you just don't plug yourself so close to the ramp? Not too many people want to touch the back-ends of a prepubescent body."
Rhita's jaw dropped, quite literally hitting the floor in comedic fashion. "Take that back!"
Kelby chuckled a bit, looking into the water as a black sphere, much similar to the one Kelby had in his other hand, floated in the water. "Hold that thought, Bhatt." Kelby spoke. He placed the massive sphere already in his hand on the ground. Afterwards, he dived into the water. As Rhita looked in, a massive geyser of water would suddenly erupt from beneath the metal sphere. Soon afterwards, a thud would come onto the ship, drawing Rhita's attention.
There stood Kelby, having retrieved the metallic sphere. He walked towards the one he sat down earlier, lifting it and balancing it in his other hand. He walked ahead with both as he moved to the lower regions of the ship. Rhita could only gaze in awe at the sight.
"Kelby...how did you get so strong?" Rhita spoke, quickly catching up with him.
Kelby continued walking, sighing briefly. "I dunno, a good diet?"
Rhita didn't laugh at the joke, speeding up her pace to match Kelby's. "But the other day you could barely lift a boulder, now you're carrying two of those robots. What type of diet are you on?"
Kelby laughed before replying. "An effective one it seems." The sniper placed both of the robots, Arachnoids, into two pods in the bowels of the Laughing Turtle. He turned around, rubbing his eyes a bit. "Did you hear those Prompter guys are coming back soon?"
Rhita tilted her head. "Not sure who you mean..."
"The group cap'n used to be apart of."
"Oh, the True Self?"
"Yea, those guys. Apparently the one called 'Mind' is supposed to help the higher ups with strategies." Kelby spoke. He leaned towards Rhita, pretending to collapse as he forced Rhita to hold up his body weight.
"Kelby! Get off!" She ordered. Soon, a second thought entered her head. "Weren't you supposed to part of that group?"
"Mmm, yea, cap'n wanted me to be 'Soul' or whatever, said I had the potential to replace him, he really likes me I think." Kelby seemed to beam, excited.
"Don't flatter yourself." Rhita spoke, rolling her eyes as she continued to hold up Kelby's body. "So why aren't you one?"
Kelby pulled himself off of Rhita, shrugging his shoulders as he stood slouching. "Cap'n had a better role for me, and I like to think it's more fitting."
Rhita didn't bother to dig any further in Kelby's position, after all he was an Amateur just like her. "So, what's this thing about Mind, I heard they were smart, but just how smart are they?"
Kelby smiled, his attention instantly peaked. "They say she has the knowledge of a library. Anything and everything she's ever seen, any words ever used in her presence, any strategy, factor, you name, is all stored inside her head. Her strategies are worth ten tacticians of the highest degree! And her attitude? Badass! You know what they call 'er?" ...
...
A group of three walked through town. One of them, a large, muscular woman with a fishing rod upon her back. She touched the shoulder of the individual in the middle, turning to the left as she headed for a separate destination. As she turned, momentarily, you could see several dots upon her face.
The individual in the middle sighed, touching the shoulder of the other person keeping them company. Words were whispered between the two before the one standing in the middle turned, a hood covering their face from the sun, leaving their traits distinguishable.
But then, stood the one last left. They rose their head, the sun uncovering all of her glamorous features from head to toe, not to miss the lovely markings of question marks that decorated her face. As she walked, she radiated an aura of dominance, but it hadn't been a physical one, just one that warned you not to test her.
"They call 'er, 'Playbook' Kenzie."
A little further ahead...
"I keep telling ye', that broad was something else entirely! Simply calling them badonkadonks would be an understatment!" The voice came from one of a blonde villager who was busy carrying a log over his right shoulder while the other end of the trunk was being occupied by another citizen: "Would you shut up already?! I don't want to go another day hearing any more of your fetish fantasies about those pirates!"
"But Bruce! THEY WERE HU-..."
"ENOUGH!" Bruce shouted back whilst promptly halting his movement, releasing the grip on the log and subsequently letting it fall onto the side of the road next to them with a two large THUDS following. His entire body shifted, lifting a finger to point at the other man as kept on rambling: "ENOUGH I TELL YOU CEDRIC! IF YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP THIS UP THEN YOU'RE BETTER OFF BEATING IT TO THEIR SHIP!"
As he finished shouting at the man, Bruce couldn't help but feel a little but satisfied by the wide facial expression on Cedric's face at the remark that he just made. "Glad to see you underst-..." Bruce interrupted himself as he noticed that the blonde man's eyes were rapdily shifting their attention between the right side of the road and back to Bruce. "Wha-..." He could barely finish his sentence before Bruce took at glance towards his left and noticed a silver-haired man with green clothing sitting just next to them with his eyes closed. The attire made him appear like a monk of sorts, but the scars told another story. It didn't take long for Bruce to pick up on Cedric's worries as they both noticed that the log must've hit the monk given how close he were to their position. But to their dismay, the log had been cleaved in two and was lying on each side of the monk. The worries growing even more so as they'd been around long enoguh to recongnize that this had been walking around with the pirates that Cedric had been talking about. Not even taking a moment to delay this any further, Bruce turned around and took a few humble steps forward before their pace grew faster and faster with each one. Soon he was seen running from the scene itself with Cedric following along with him.
A few seconds went by before Jackal carefully opened his one good eye, peeking passed the eyelid and watch as the two ruffians ran for it. The scarred man exhaled his breath, causing his shoulders to simmer down and the rest of his body to lean forward. "What a bunch of wankers..." Jackal exclaimed as he reached out to grab hold of one of the logs, pulling it closer to the point that it was lying just next to the left side of him. Only to reach behind his back with the other, soon revealing a large bottle with the words "SAKE" labelled onto it, before placing his makeshift table. Uncorking the top of the beverage, Jackal raised it somewhat as if he was making a toast before ultimately taking a sip from it.
He was perhaps doing it a little too fast as drops of the liquor spilled from the side of his mouth and down his cheek, prompting the Cheeky pirate to raise his other arm and wipe it away with big movement towards his left side. It wasn't until then that he took note of the three strangers walking through town: "Speaking of a bunch of wankers..."
As Kenzie made her way down the street, her eyes landed on the silver-haired man standing before her. He was unique, amongst the people she had already seen of course. Unlike the natives, decorated in feather hats, and the majority of the pirates, dressed in rather basic attire, the man before her had an aura. One that gave her the idea he was worth questioning on the Captain's whereabouts. She approached him, calmly, as she never had reason to panic.
"Hey, do you know where Kerrim is?" She spoke, cutting to the chase in an instant.
Jackal's eye had followed her the entire way towards him, taking clear notice of the markings as she spoke out. The man's gaze bore into Kenzie. He didn't trust her. It took a moment before Jackal gave a slight shrug of resignation and closed his eyes slowly and gently, almost as if he is falling asleep on the spot. "I might do." He took another swig from his bottle, placing it down on the man-made table next to him as the monk looked back at the woman.
"Then again, Kerrim is a pretty common name so you'd have to be more specific." Jackal responded, fingers lightly tapping against his left kneecap as they went on.
Kenzie sighed, this man, Jackal, who did he think he was trying to play games with her in such dire moments. "Kerrim is actually a rarely used name, so rare in fact I've only met one person with the name in all my life. A more common name would be something like Henry, Avery, or Bellamy. But that's besides the point." Kenzie, gazed at the man's alcohol, then quickly shifting her eyes back to him.
"I think we both know what Kerrim I'm looking for. Instead of laying around being a drunken mess, maybe you should help with the war efforts? Pirate or civilian, I'm more than aware both groups are gearing up the crew as is. Just point me to Kerrim, and you can go about your drinking." Kenzie said, almost as if taunting the man before her.
"Someone doesn't like sarcasm and the sound of their own voice..." Jackal thought as he listened to the woman talk. He found it funny at how quickly the image of a person would get imprinted inside ones mind. Having been at work for the last eighteen hours for the sake of the crew and now being given a moment to lay back, he was already being accused for being a drunkard after a few drops. Once she'd finished speaking, the answer came with the same, piercing stare from the scarred man - followed by guiding the bottle back to his mouth for yet another taste without looking away. He didn't say anything, even as he lowered the bottle again. "Sounds like she really does know Kerrim though... And the markings suggests that she might be one of the people I just haven't met yet."
Jackal's lips eventually showcasing a frown for a moment, shaking his head as he did as to certify his answer whilst the man's fingers could still be seen tapping away at his legs.
Kenzie continued locking eyes with Jackal. The frown on his face drew her eyes to his mouth for a second, although they ended up shooting back to his eyes. She must've upset him with her words, surely that was the case yes? Kenzie was more than known to run her mouth and disregard it's impact on others. Although, could one blame her? The crew was on it's way to War, and Kenzie needed to get to the planning room, she didn't have time to continue playing back and forth with this man. Either he'd tell her where to find Kerrim, or the next person will.
"I'm sure you're aware of the war, can you just point me to Kerrim? I have something very important to discuss." Kenzie spoke, growing tired of the exchange.
Once again, the man didn't reply right away. The frown remained just as stoic as the strings inside Jackal's mind checked themselves out. The monk had realized that he could've just asked her for something more specific for all of this, such as the woman's name, connection to Kerrim or hell even the markings. It all added to up so far as to her being either part of the crew or with connections to them. But any good spy could've surely provided the same results... "Tch." His mouth finally exclaimed, as he lifted his free hand to point towards his Captain's location. "It could go either way but everyone else was pretty much around Kerrim so it should be fine." He thought to himself, knowing that this might've gone on for too long.
"You'll find him in the War Room..." Jackal spoke out as his eye shifted downwards towards his bottle instead of the woman, his sentence being finished by taking the liberty for yet another swig.
"Thank you, sir." Kenzie spoke, walking past Jackal as she was finished with this conversation, having everything she needed out of the man.
A sigh escaped Rena Helena' mouth, she took it in back immediately after, gladly, she could properly do it without the equipments latching on to her. Her hands rested upon her lap, which she gazed at. Alexis was sitting on something akin to a hospital cot, a gurney, it had a white cloth over it and its handles were black.
Looking around for a bit, Alexis pondered what time it was. She had been having some fallouts in her breathing, a long term consequence of the smoke she breathed back during that fight and the amount of blood she lost within the same timeframe.
The place Alexis was in, however, was not the infirmary of the Laughing Turtle. Rather, she had to use the local town's infirmary due to having been closer to it, it was signifficantly large and had majorly white walls. All of the Cheeky Pirates had been aiding in the transport of stuff to the ship, she should be no different, she was no weaker, wasn't she?
However, Alexis' time spent there was not alone. For, through her powers, she had managed to open a part of the facility with a zipper, allowing for her crewmates to be nearby.
A man with white hair and a scarf over his face walked into the area. It was the newest Bouncer of the crew. "Hey Alexis," said Varanus Fang
Another breath went through Alexis' nostrils. She mustered up some strength and muttered out. "What do you think?" Not even waiting any answer, she continued, "Hey though... Is everyone done?"
Behind Fang came a great silhouette, it was Hilda, one of the Amateurs of the Cheeky Pirates who had gone to visit Alexis, leaning, with a worried expresion she approaches the opening.
"Ale-chan, how are you!? ...left me guilty when I heard what had happened!"
"You felt guilty?" Fang said under his breath so no one could hear. He moved over to chair and sat by Alexis' bedside.
Alexis' attention quickly shifted to Hilda, someone she had come to know quite a bit since the Cheeky recruited her. Suddenly, she tried to smile, "Hey Hil-chan... I've been more fine, but don't worry about it." In fact, it had been some time, more adjustments were yet to be made, but, she couldn't complain...
Eyeing Fang for a second, Alexis narrowed her eyes, what had he really said? Had he even said anything...? Maybe she could ask it, or it could be too awkward. Damnit.
"Sorry my visits have been less frequent lately, the captain's been working me hard lately. How's recovery? Things getting any easier?"
"D-Don't worry about that," Alexis waved her hands at Fang, damnit, he really dared and put himself down so much because of that. Two months, two whole months, and he still blamed himself for it. Clenching her fists, Alexis briefly went back to that faithful day, she hadn't done anything. Anything.
Then again, Alexis supposed she couldn't show him that she was starting to glare at him for that. So, she commented, "I can imagine he has, Cap's just like that. I'm trying to get better."
"That's good, that's good..." Fang's voice trailed off, not sure what else to say. "You been eating enough?"
Realizing that Fang was not sure what to say, Hilda interrupts him by saying,:"Ker-cham is always very enigmatic, but at the end of the day that's his charm, but I have to agree that in the last few days he's been very quiet."
"I have..." Alexis muttered back to Fang, then, she gazed at Hilda. "I can't disagree with you... he has been quiet, but he is still our captain." She nodded, almost to herself, looking at nowhere for but a second, that was right, Kerrim was their captain, their leader. No doubts were had in regards to him. "Has everything been done?"
"Preparations are nearly complete," said Fang, "we'll likely be shipping out by the end of the day. Do you think you'll need anything before we head out?"
"Ale-Cham, I hope you're not lonely, I really wish I could be with you until you're fully recovered, but it was a call from Ker-cham himself, and coming from him I can't refuse."
Another smile bloomed in Alexis' face, she looked at Fang and at Hilda. "I'm not, you have both kept me company in the brief time I was here... and as brief as it was, thank you," She closed her eyes and mouth, though still smiling at them. "I don't think I need anything?"
"Well... um..." Fang took out a tomato from his pocket, still in pristine condition. He rubbed it on his shirt, buffing it like an apple, and placed it on the stand next to her bed. "Here's a tomato then. Straight from my garden."
Blink.
"Oh, thank you Fang," Alexis blinked for another second, before quickly regaining her smile and moving to grab it, "I'll make sure to absorb its nutrients." She gave him a thumbs-up.
"Oh,Fang,I think we've lost track of time,I think we'd better go after all if we're late Ker cham might end up getting mad at us"
"You're right," he stood up from his his seat. "We'll be back in a few days, after Oji's a pile of ash."
"Goodbye Ale-cham, take care and eat well, because next time we meet I want to see you out of that bed, we understand?" Hilda says goodbye, waving to Alexis while, even if she doesn't get far from the opening.
There it was, that very sight that Alexis had seen before. Backs. The backs of her crewmates. Her mouth opened for a second, but only air came out, no words, not a single stutter. They went on just like that, "Of course." Alexis said in a higher tone, surely they heard it even if they were walking away.
Then, Alexis glanced at her lap, at her chest, where she pressed a palm over. At the same time, air invaded her lungs for the course of a dozen seconds, then, it went out, even slower than when it went in. There was nothing to worry about, right? Was it them going to war with such a frightening crew, or her presence not being fit. Many of those thoughts began to plague her mind, way more often than any time in her life.
Could that be it...? Was Alexis blaming them? Sweat glistened her body, her mouth hung open, her eyes trembled, blood almost came out of her hand as she tightened her fists. Alexis let out a breath she didn't know she was holding, she had to get ready too and not just complain.
As they walked towards the docks, after a little bit of the hsopital, they walked in silence looking at the horizon until they wanted to be silent.
"You also feel guilty about what happened to Ale-cham isn't Fang ?" says Hilda looking at Fang with a serious look.
Fang sighed. "Yes."
"I know what it's like, when I saw her on that bed I thought maybe if I'd had her there she wouldn't have gotten so hurt"
"But thanks to Ker-cham we can give back to O.G. in the same coin, I can count on you to avenge Ale is not Fang !?", changing his attitude and quickly Hilda exclaims by banging her fists, looking at the horizon with a determined look.
Fang clenched his fist. "I was there, and it didn't mean a damn thing!" He coughed, regaining his composure. "It doesn't matter any more. I'm going to devour each of the Temporalli."
"so let's show the O.G. what happens when they hurt our mates!"
"Isn't that the purpose of this entire war?"
"Hey!" A deep, feminine voice called from ahead. She looked up at Hilda, and down a Fang, dots decorated her face as she spoke. "This the infirmary, right?!" She shouted constantly, and for no reason at that.
Based on the markings on her cheeks, Fang could already tell she was affiliated with the crew. Still being relatively new, despite his promotion, he wasn’t surprised he still hadn’t met everyone yet. “Yes,” Fang answered simply.
"Ohh'kaay..." The woman spoke, finger gunning Fang as she twirled around him. As she fully got around Fang's figure, she turned around to keep walking ahead. "Weirdo..." She spoke to herself, not before stopping and raising her voice again so both, Hilda and Fang heard what she had to say.
"Hey, Merah told me to watch out for a guy who looks like he's in a boy band, said somethin about telling him to report to the docks! And for the giantess, just chill around for a bit more, you'll be riding with me!" She didn't wait for a reply, continuing her walk to the infirmary.
Fang sighed. "I still don't know what a boy band is." Fang jumped into the air, hopping off of it as he used Geppo, and suddenly rocketing forward as it transformed into Kamisori, headed to the docks.
The door to the building would swing open, it's hinges just barely holding on against the force that pressed against it. The woman moved through, ducking under the door a bit to make her way through. Her eyes darted around several times, yet with each movement of the iris, they failed to land on Alexis.
"Yo! Rena Alexis, right?!" The woman shouted again.
Blinking, Alexis rose one of her hands to greet the woman. For a moment, her eyes narrowed, various thoughts coursed through her head. Even then, she spoke, "Hello, yes... Who are you?"
The woman began to take out a rod attached to her back. A string was attached to it, but there was no visible hook. As she swung it around, her loud voice boomed. "Name's Grendelle, I'm the Soul of the True Self and all that jazz. I came here cause someone said you weren't in tip top condition. What's stopping you from getting up? Needa know what I'm fishin' for."
Oh, of course, Alexis let her jaw fall for but a second, the other members that Captain spoke of. She eyed the fishing rod, frowning. "I-" Hands on her knees, Alexis bowed slightly at Grendelle, "-am pleased to meet you, Senpai."
Seemed that the crew was really keen on solving Alexis' issue, it was not like they hadn't tried before. In fact, she thought they kind of did it too much, to a point where they stopped focusing on themselves and went to her. Was she that much of a kid? Was her fighting prowess that unworthy? She should have figured given her current rank.
Brushing those thoughts aside, Alexis looked at Grendelle and replied, "Months ago, a fight ensued and I... got the worst out of it." She held a hand up to her chest. "My lungs have been permanently damaged by the smoke and..." One of her legs rose. "I lost a part of this..."
Grendelle frowned, "Best I can do is remove any smoke left in your lungs!" Grendelle flicked the rod, the string landing upon Alexis' chest. No, it faded through her chest, the area around the string adopting a blue, almost water-like appearance. "I would imagine Captain has made a peg-leg for you by now!" Something seemed to snag onto the line, causing Grendelle to vigorously pull back the rod, causing the string to come flying out of Alexis' chest.
At the end of the string was something swirling and fog-like. Grendelle flicked the rod back further, causing the foggy substance to go outside and float into the atmosphere. "That won't heal you completely, you'll need exercise and physical therapy to get better! Nevertheless, you have one role during this war!"
Alexis rose her hands to protect herself from whatever it was that Grendelle threw at her, her eyes shut tightly. Yet, nothing happened, something tugged at her chest for a second and was gone by the next one. Her eyes fluttered open and fell upon her chest, looking out for anything that could have happened or indeed happened.
What even, Alexis' eyes hovered over the... thing, trembling for the fraction of a breath. "What..." Again, she looked at her chest, Grendelle's words about the peg leg falling past her ears. "...What was it?" There could be no way that the damage done to her lungs had been taken out as well. "A role?"
Itim had temporarily departed from the group to isolate himself within a nearby jungle, brandishing the blades that he carried from all parts of his body before closing his eyes and letting the breeze sweep through his fur. Holding his unique blade out in front of him, Itim readied it pointing to one side with the blade facing forward, both hands gripping tightly on the hilt as the mink's nostrils enlarged to let in one deep breathe flow in. After a few seconds of silence had passed, Itim struck forward with deadly precision and speed, the sword letting out a quick mechanical unlocking and locking sound as it moved from one side to the other, perfectly positioned opposite to where it was on the other side. Itim flicked the blade to the front of him and stabbed the tip into the ground, only to be simultaneously followed by a cluster of jungle trees before him slide diagonally and fall onto the ground, cut from near the base of their trunks. Despite the blade from the naked eye looking as though it had done nothing, it was clear that Itim had been trying to perfect the speed of his attacks to make it difficult to process, using the length of his weapon to reach further and cut down more targets.
"...Damn. I'm too slow." Itim snarled before trying again.
Days in the War Room[]
Those planning the war strategies were few in numbers, but they sat within the war room for some time now. For the past few days, it had basically become their bedrooms whenever they had time to sleep and their dining rooms when they had time to eat. It had overall been a stressful process, and one that would hopefully go with pay off.
The Kingpin himself, Mauricio Kerrim was present in the meeting, as he should be. Along with him stood three of the Big Four; Reiterpallasch R. Rene, Frostbite Envy, and Bryceen. Each holding a special level of trust and respect from the captain that their opinions were more than valued in this situation. Along with them were three Show Stoppers, their appearances hidden behind a veil of shadow and darkness. They had been waiting for one more for some time, but they had long since decided they should get to planning, just in case their missing component hadn't made it in time.
Kerrim laid out a map on the table, his fingers drawing across it's figure as he dug his red eyes onto it's frame. "I suggest we divide the attack up into two waves. Rene and Myself will lead the first using the Laughing Turtle. As we advance, we launch several Arachnoids to combat the O.G Pirates, this should weaken if not obliterate their initial defense line. By the time the first wave hits, we'd be able to clear through them by this point. Then, once the second wave comes in, we'll hopefully have the O.G overwhelmed. Any objections?"
"Hmmmm, I think we gotta keep backups for every wave we attack." Envy answered truthfully. It wasn't that he wasn't confident in the crew's power. Rather, he knew how ridiculous the power of the O.G Pirates were. "We can't go in assuming we gonna win against every wave. They'll pick up on it too quick no?"
Rene had leaned heavily into their residence of their war room. He lounged on a bed of lush red pillows, though the way he was sat it was more like a throne. His hat was sat off to the side and he had taken his mask off, revealing the two hearts with swirling markings on either cheek. He was also practically naked from the waist up, patterns of red swirls and hearts curling their way up his torso and arms.
He had zoned out for a moment, but brought himself back to the present for what Kerrim had said "Our part to play sounds good to me, though, ma petit. You go in all shadows....flickering? I suppose. While I" He pointed a finger at Bryceen's head before making a 'bang' motion and giving her a wink "will snipe anyone in sight. While staying out of theirs."
Bryceen ignored Rene's teasing, keeping focus on the map between them, it's size practically covering the entirety of the table. "Envy's right, we should have several ships stationed outside the bounds of the island. Perhaps we should contact Aretha."
Kerrim shook his head, he would not allow that idea to fly. It had been what, nearly a year since he first did battle with the Numerals. In the conclusion of his battle with the Siren, he left behind a baby Den Den Mushi. Kerrim contacted her a few times, but never for anything that required her physical presence. Would she come to help him, especially against her ally?
"No." Kerrim spoke. "Aretha is out of question, not only is she an ally of Bill, but I refuse to call in anyone that isn't a member of our crew for this." Kerrim ended.
Bryceen nodded, gauging where the Captain's head had been. Indeed, he had grown since she last spoke with him. Did his swordsmanship grow as well? Bah, that was a thought for a later time. "Onto the serious questions then. Bill's Kenbunshoku has unprecedented range, he'll detect us coming before we can even see the island. Those All-Land bastards will be lined up waiting for us, or that damned Billie will have using playing in another one of his illusions."
"I'll expand a shadow over the fleet. Blanketing all of your voices under my own, hopefully he'll think it's just me." Kerrim argued, looking around at Rene and Envy for their opinions.
"Nah. From what ya' mentioned last time Captain, he's too smart for that." Envy muttered, sighing. "Why'd we have to pick a fight with this guy...of all people, isn't he just too damn stro-"
Envy stopped in the middle of his speech. An idea seemingly clicked in his mind. "Actually, Captain. You should blanket us in your shadow." Envy put up his feet on the table smugly. He liked his idea a lot, something that would probably bother the other members. "I know we can't fool him to think you're the only one there. But...we could play with the numbers a little bit?"
Envy looked to Bryceen, "Hey Bryceen. Can you use that "Song of Fire" your school has? I have a fun idea we could try."
Bryceen smiled, locking eyes with Envy. "Lay it on me, Icy-Hot." Bryceen knew the basics of all four of the main styles, some better than others, but the Song of Water was most definitely the one she prided herself upon.
"Y'know that nickname's a bit old but-" Envy stopped himself mid-speech. This was a serious situation. "Anyways. If you can heat up pockets of cold air I make, we'll get pseudo heat signatures after we spread out our Rei-sorry, you guys call it Haki, right?. If we do it properly, we can make the O.G subordinates believe there's more of us in one place."
Envy paused, thinking about how to phrase this. "We're probably the strongest, right? So if we attract the strongest of the O.G, we can probably push through with our weaker forces from the flanks. As long as we can handle the pressure, we should be alright, no?"
"So, you're suggesting we draw the attention of the O.G as a feign, allowing Kerrim and those aboard the Laughing Turtle to land largely unnoticed." Bryceen essentially restated the plan, "Only question is, if we're expected to battle the strongest off the bat, who all will be traveling on our ship?"
Kerrim interrupted, "I'll be leading the first wave, and it seems you and Envy intend on leading a feign attack. I want for Rene to lead the second wave, suggesting the O.G are busy fighting our first forces, then he should be able to enter a prime sniping position as the second wave advances. The feign attack should hold several of our strongest, so along with you two-" He pointed at Envy and Bryceen, "I believe the True Self would also serve well."
"Sounds like a plan to me." Envy gave his thumb of approval. Do we need to sort out any other details? I don't want to leave my prep to the last second. I've gotta make sure my new power will work for real fights too."
The door to the War Room opened gently, in it's entrance was a youthful woman with flowing hair, it's shade an incredibly light purple, faded in fact. Kenzie had finally reached the War Room, albeit quite late by this point. "My apologies, I would've arrived earlier had not some dirtbag try to make small-talk with me." Kenzie pulled up a char, taking her seat at the table.
"We've already discussed the plan for the most part, I can fill you in later during a nice cup of tea." Bryceen spoke, standing from her chair. She gripped onto her sword, nodding towards Kerrim.
"You all are dismissed." Kerrim spoke, everyone leaving the room, the entirety of the plans finally put into place. As the three present members of the Big Four loaded out of the room, Kerrim and Kenzie were the final two in the War Room.
"My apologies, Kerrim. I truly didn't intend on being late." Kenzie spoke, she began to walk towards the exit. Her shoes clacked against the ground, her presence was still powerful to the average human, but it was nothing compared to the overwhelming pressure that was Kerrim's own. She kept her eyes forward on her way out, embarrassed to make eye contact. That was until she felt it, the firm grip upon her shoulder.
Kerrim's eyes met Kenzie's own, his red gaze unlike any other she'd ever felt. "I need to know, what are my chances?"
Kenzie seemed to cover her mouth, a cocky grin on her face. "My my, I don't think this is the time for you to be so forward Captain." Kenzie smiled, feeling a sense of superiority. "I'm not a simple woman to please. How about you start from getting on the floor and kissing my shoes." Kenzie spoke, mostly rhetorical. In her past time, away from the crew and the Pirate life all together, let's just say she was used to being in positions of power, especially when it came to a lustful environment.
Kerrim's gaze remained intense, unchanging from Kenzie's demands. "...I meant my chances against Bill." He finally spoke, and in that moment, Kenzie's reality shattered to a million peaces as she wallowed in embarrassment, retreating to a particular corner as she covered her face, the act being rather comedic.
"Purepurepure! Of course you did, I was only kidding!" Kenzie spoke, suddenly returning to her previous position. She rose a finger to her chin, gazing at the ceiling as she blushed from her own words. Many calculations ran through her mind; Bill's strength, environment, chances of anyone else being present, time of day, even the thing both pirates may have eaten prior to the battle. Everything and anything would need to be taken into account for a prediction, namely one through mental power, to be accurate. However, Kenzie was someone who could run these many calculations in seconds, for any prediction was truly just a likelihood of events unfolding, for predicting the future correctly all the time was impossible. Finishing the calculations, Kenzie looked Kerrim in his face with a reply.
"I predict that, with all factors on your side desirable, you'll have a fifty-percent chance of victory."
Kerrim nodded. "Thank you, Kenzie." He spoke silently, making his way to the exit. "I just hope your prediction holds true."
Kenzie continued looking forward, her back facing Kerrim, as his back faced her. "C'mon, Kerry, you know my predictions are always accurate."
"It's not the accuracy of your prediction I doubt, it's the intention."
The conversation ceased and the door closed? No.
The conversation ceased and the war closed? No.
The peace ceased and the war begun.
O.G[]
"Ya' still not back at full strength?" Billie snapped his fingers and pondered out loud, as he and Billy walked through the streets of Roailing, one of the island's towns. The two of them were surrounded by myriads of people.
It was surrounded by cactus and earthen plains, some of the previously mentioned rock mounds appeared here and there throughout such desert. All of its buildings were very simple in appearance, often taking on white or yellow toned textures, while having round edges. People hurried in and out of some of those buildings, carrying materials either with their own arms or with the aid of carts.
Upon close inspection, contrary to what some would expect, not all of the workers nor residents possessed silver hair like Billy and Billie did. In fact, very few amongst the present were actually part of the O.G Pirates' infantry, the All-Lands.
"Nah," Billy responded, he held some sort of list with his hands and looked over it, his eyes narrowed. "Cap'n's requested tha' we continue ta' work here, so that th' mineral circulation continues."
"Haaaaah?! Who tha' hell does 'e think he is?!-" Billie's mouth almost fell, one of his eyebrows almost tearing up and through his forehead. Then, without even thinking of it, his own hand slapped it out of his face. Billy stared at him with a blank face. "-Wait... Wait wait wait-" Billie snapped his fingers at each word.
"...Yeah?"
Billie clung closer to Billy, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and adopting a frown. "Did'ja say requested? Has 'e been drinkin'?"
Billy bit his lower lips. "No..."
"Smokin'?"
"No, far as I know."
"Damn..." Billie rose his other hand and gritted his teeth, biting on his nails. "He been acting weird recently, don'tcha think?"
Tilting his head, Billy took to folding the paper and holding it under his arms. "Well, he's... us or we are 'im, yeah, that makes more sense," He nodded to himself.
"Yeeee- Ya ain't answered mah question," For a moment, Billie moved his eyes to look at any of the present All-Lands, his voice was only whispers. "D'ya think it's got ta' do with Willy bein' weird?"
Billy halted, pushing dust and taking Billie with him. "Maybe we should just focus on securin' 'em materials, y'know, we don't know when we gettin' invaded again."
Billie nodded and scratched his beard, "Good point, les' do it."
Step, step, step. Mostly darkness surrounded him, the paths were many, connecting the overworld with the underground.
Willy's feet echoed across the large dungeon, only lit by a few torches. The deeper he went, the paths had less and less guards, yes, something below even the All-Lands, the "No-Lands". Also made from the powers of the Jiko Jiko no Mi, they were not necessarily less capable than any of the All-Lands... however, their stares were severally more... blank. Evident by Willy's steps being the only sound, they spared very few words.
And not only that. Their appearances were not as unique as the All-Lands. The only characteristics that varied were their heights and body sizes.
Why was that even notable? Willy himself scratched the back of his head with his long claws, gritting his teeth here and there. Yes, indeed, there was no need to fret over them.
After going down many levels, Willy was faced with a relatively big door, about twice his height and width. He eyed it intently, the irises within his eyes widening. Static, two people stood before him, but his vision blurred, while his eyes went yellow, more static. Willy's green eyes met the ground, but he didn't pant, didn't lose his breath.
Willy shook his head, no need to fret over them, no need to fret over them. He cupped the side of his face and used his other hand to push at the large door, dust moved from in-between its spaces, a blinding light came through, temporarily overwhelming the darkness of the lowest part of the dungeon.
Step, step, step.
This time, Willy's steps echoed in the light, the darkness was surely no more, the green of his eyes went yellow. He blinked a few times, only then shielding his eyes with his forearm.
For one reason or another, the light weakened after Willy did that, revealing the full appearance of the room around him. It was, indeed, completely white, so white to the point that it seemed it was nowhere...
At the center of the room were myriads of dark chains, connected from many parts of the room and to something in mid-air.
A chest. Dark as well.
Willy's lips curved upwards, revealing his sharp teeth, the black of the chest invaded the vision of his eyes.
Static. Yet again, two figures stood before Willy. Static, he was back to staring at the chest, closer than ever, he blinked several times. His smile never faltered.
Bill's, the Captain's, words rung inside Willy's mind, words told by him to himself... Indeed.
"Alongside tha' old fart's crew we are th' most important allies to that Shitguma!!"
Willy stepped closer, raising his right hand and moving it towards the large chest, with such proximity, it began to glow a golden tone from the spaces of its edges.
"Treasures're one of tha' most important things to pirates, BIRURURU!"
Grin even wider, Willy pushed with his hand further, increasing the brightness that came from within.
"...Especially treasures from the Great Kingdom, don'tcha think?!?!"
Tales of the Golden Age filled his mind, tales of the Pirate King's treasure.
Willy mused. "Yes, the treasure known as Head Piece!"
A Man's War[]
The inhabitants of Oji continued to work as they should, carrying around, fixing, whatever could even be considered work. After all, only then they could have the money, which was paid by the O.G crew in good sports, everything ought to be fair in the end.
Yes, they remained just like that, unfazed.
But, at the same time, many members of the O.G Pirates stopped dead in their tracks, their heads turned in the direction of the ocean. Though their minds were connected, it was only up to a certain level, they had reacted even before one another shared thoughts.
Amongst them, stood one of the Quattro Temporali, "One-Eyed" Billie. "Ah?!" His voice sounded through the area, while his eyes constantly hovered from one member to another, they seemed to want and test his patience just that day. "Th'fuck y'all doin'?!"
"B-Billie-senpai," A young girl with white hair pointed at a dark fog far into the ocean. "If ya' use Ha-"
"Eh? No need, Aillie," Billie shook his head, "I ain't need Haki to see tha' those're our tradin' ships!" He turned around and walked off into the town of Gloriain, one that was located some twenty-five kilometers from Roailing. "Don' bother meh again!"
Oji was as wide as it was long, 25 kilometers for both.
Unlike Roailing, Gloriain was surrounded by a large number of flora, specifically bamboo trees, its houses had many colors, even if not vibrant, and curved, black roofs, their edges pointed upwards. Plus, almost all of them had square shapes, adding a sense of symmetry.
As Billie was seemingly gone, the All-lands resumed their jobs, though, they still stood on the wait for the envoys to dock on the city's port.
Their Haki wasn't on the same level as their "elder sibling", but, surely they felt something wrong from the fog. It was almost as if... it was alive. Maybe they should contact someone else.
Of course.
Given their shared thoughts, some All-lands nodded at one another, quickly hurrying to get the Den Den Mushi. The one to pick it up was Nilly, a man with short hair and a goatee. Everyone stared while waiting.
Puru puru puru puru. Puru puru puru puru-
Another call? Billy, another of the Quattro Temporalu, stood within the highest point of a tower, a tower which was connected to a castle of relative size. Around him, he could see the entirety of the island, since said castle was virtually at its center.
Kacha.
"B-Billy-san?" Nilly's voice came through the snail, which adopted his expression of worry. Damnit, why was it him that had to speak in everyone's behalf? He only wanted to dig a tunnel and jump in.
Billy held back the brunt of his voice. "What's it tis' time?!" He gripped the speaker tightly.
Nilly gulped dryly. "W-Well, there're some suspicious ships, we can't feel many auras t'all-"
"Ships?!!" The loudness of Billy's voice made the All-lands on the other side of the line tremble. "Wha' do ya' mean ships?! There's already a small fleet comin' from tha' southeast side! Wait-" Everyone held their breaths. "-Ya' in Gloriain right?"
"Aye sir." Everyone said in unison.
"...Those may be tha' transportin' ships, don' be alarmed." Billy's tone lowered at the same time his grip became gentler, he grinded his teeth, the mention that those ships possessed the same vibe was worrying, sweat went down his face. Even then, they couldn't risk it, "I need some of ya' at Roailing!!" Before any of them could question him, Billy continued, "We've spotted pirate ships there!"
A gasp came from the snail. Still, they managed to speak, "AYE SIR!"
Kacha.
Billy took his glasses out and palmed his sweaty face, he wiped it off with a single swipe, then, looked at the windows of the tower. "Dilly?"
A man with soft features and grey hair fixed his glasses, standing at the very corner of the room, focused on some papers. "Aye sir?" He blinked several times, his hands joined together.
"Has Willy answered 'is call?" Billy questioned.
Fixing his glasses again, Dilly shook his head. "Nah..."
"Hmmmmmm," Billy scratched the side of his head and gave a deep breath. "Send Willie ta' Roailing..." Billy stood with his hands laid over his desk, not sparing a glance at Dilly.
"S-Sir, but shouldn't we set off tha' alarm fa' th' others?" Dilly turned around, his features still solemn.
Billy shook his head. "Th' enemy'd notice... Willie's quiet, despite cryin' often," A smile bloomed into his expression. "The alarm'd surely be heard by 'em."
Mouth forming an 'o', Dilly clapped and smiled. "Clever clever, so tha's why ya' talked ta' the crew directly."
"Precisely," Billy nodded and walked towards a wardrobe nearby one of the windows. "Be on th' watch, make sure ta' observe all Den Den Mushi."
Another round of blinks from Dilly, he swallowed dry. "A-Aye...? Are ya' actually planning-"
"Yes, I'm."
Whence the wardrobe was open, a multitude of weapons came into view.
Billie kicked some rocks as he walked across the road between the central city, Airginol, and the one he was in, Gloriain. The bamboo forests had started to mesh with pine trees, enough evidence that he was closer than farther to Captain's home. Hehehe, Billie would just use one of those fancy bathtubs.
A smile came into Billie's face, however, before he could think more, rumbling reached his ears. "Eh?" He squinted his single eye, noticing that clouds of dust were surging, was... was that Billy?!
As Billy moved, his arm and legs went back and forth, blurring. With his free arm, he positioned a finger in front of his sealed mouth. On his back, there were several weapons, though, Billie didn't have time to even look at them properly.
"EH-" Billie's words were cut short as Billy jumped towards him and shut Billie's mouth, both skidding against the harsh soil. "MMMHMMPH!" Billie shook his head several times.
Standing up, Billy removed his hand from Billie and fixed the weapons behind his back. "No noises," The latter's mouth moved, only for the former to do the same pose, "Billie, please."
"A'right a'right..." Billie rolled his eyes, while his hands pushed the dust off him, Billy gestured for them to walk back all the path Billie walked. Frowning, he barked, "Th'fuck tho?! Tha' hell was tha' for?!"
"Stop showin' yer emotions so much," Billy muttered loud enough, shutting his eyes in order to re-gain his patience.
"Wha-"
"We may be under attack."
Billie's eyes almost popped off his skull. "Wha?!" Such a situation couldn't even exist, Billie's Kenbushoku was as sharp as ever, plus, the Captain's was even sharper... "Stahp trippin' me, Bi-"
"I've not alerted everyone, they be comin' from Roailing." Billy said, Billie opened his mouth yet again, but the first cut him off, again. "The envoy of products we get once a while's comin' from Gloriain's side... However, they're surrounded 'n a fog..."
Billie smirked, the two had walked quite the distance as they exchanged information, such that there were only bamboos around them. Furthermore, they were but a few dozen feet from entering the town.
"So das' why ya' went and didn't alert eh?" Billie scratched his chin. "We mighta' get tha' surprise element... We both goin' to Gloriain, and Willie and-"
"It's not just that." Billy said, as soon as they neared the entrance, he blocked Billie's path and extended his left hand towards Billie's chest. "We'll make it that ya're just 'ere to receive th' cargo."
Yet again, Billie's eyes widened. "Ya' mean-"
"Yes..." Billy's hand touched Billie's chest, the latter gasped as some kind of pressure surrounded him, suddenly, a green aura enveloped their bodies. "In!!" First, Billy's hand disintegrated into green particles and entered Billie's chest, then, his arm, his torso, until a leg was the last thing seen. Since Devil Fruits affected their user's clothes, even the many weapons that Billy carried around disappeared within Billie.
All the green vanished, Billie gasped. "GAH!" His shoulder went up and down, then, he inhaled deeply and let it come out through his mouth. "A'right... Les' do this..." Billie walked into Gloriain, smirking, and called for the others, "Y'all, we 'bout ta' receive that weekly cargo!"
Indeed, it had been just some of them suspected...
Deep within the black mist that had been approaching Oji stood not one ship, but a fleet. One of which, in the center of the mist body, was the Laughing Turtle. The flagship of the Cheeky Pirates.
"Let's hope this works..." Kerrim spoke to himself, darkness flowing from his body and feeding into the mist around the fleet. It was his doing.
"Brrrr" Rhita chattered. "Why's it so cold!"
Kelby stared at her, but then he turned away, pointing a finger at Kerrim. "The darkness can block out the sun, lowering temperatures by like, a lot, if enough is made."
Rhita's eyes lit up momentarily. "So can he make ice?"
"No clue."
Rena Helena spoke up, "L-Let's try not to talk much, they could hear us..." She eyed the town at all times, only bothering with small chat when the others pushed it. They all were to remain on high alert and use the element of surprise, Alexis clenched her fists. Her coughing was almost unexistant, or so she thought, her leg wasn't paining her, they could do this.
When the Fleet neared the port of Gloriain, all of the Cheeky crewmembers could see some of the All-lands standing tall at the docks, waiting just for the ships to put out their bridges. Could they really do this?
All of their auras were strikingly similar, Alexis noted, there was a larger one farther into the town, likely one of those Quattro Temporali. She waited for her crewmates.
Kerrim proceeded to the bow of the ship. He had luckily avoided his crew being snipped out from such a distance they couldn't fight back. But now, it was time to present himself. Not just to the citizens of Oji, and the O.G Pirates, but to the world at large.
Red Feather took a deep breath, sealing his eyes as he amassed that which he always had, but had now honed. Then, quicker than light and sharper than blades, Kerrim's eye's shot open. Birds stopped chirping. Wind stopped flowing. The currents of the surrounding sea, something so vast and powerful to have slayed many and thwarted more, came to a sudden halt. Even time itself, ever flowing, seemed to come to a stand still.
All became colored in a soft purple hue. Then, it came. That pressure unlike any other. It compressed and overwhelmed the presence of all before it, a spiritual dominance so great it affected the body directly. If desired, it likely could've done damage to the physical world. But it was concentrated, focused on conquering what mattered. The will of it's challengers, either forging devote subjects as it did the birds and wind, or whipping them into submission.
It was time Kerrim presented himself. Not just to the citizens of Oji and the O.G Pirates, but to the world at large. To present himself as a King.
Suddenly, within the fleet itself, cries and tears burst out amongst numerous members of the crew. What was going on?
"WE FEEL THE SAME CAP'N!"
"WE'LL FIGHT WITH YE TIL THE END!"
"NO ONE'S GONNA SCARE US OFF!"
Rhita looked around, noticing everyone joining in the cheers. She felt the overwhelming power and joy within her. She didn't know what it was, but all she knew was that this surge of inspiration and power came from him.
"You feel that, Bhatt?" Kelby spoke, glaring forward. Of course she felt it, everyone did. The same determination that powered the hearts and souls of the Cheeky Pirates, even in a metaphorical sense, was the same that would demolish the will of the O.G. For a King's will was one and simple, destroy his enemies and honor his people.
Fang stood resolute, the wave that knocked out their enemies and invigorated his colleagues, even he couldn't fully resist the temptation to smile, it wasn't in his nature to brood anyways. The scales and claws of his hybrid form appeared as his body, without him fully transforming, demonstrating how ready he was for the battle. The second the battle started, he already knew where he was headed.
Even Hilda, a descendant of the legendary Elbaf giant warriors, felt surrounded by the intimidating and all-encompassing presence emanated from Kerrim, becoming inert as she softened the cold before that prey.
"...then that is the power of a true king!?"
However, getting her act together, Hilda thus fills herself with confidence and enthusiasm, sawing her fists, Hilda raises one of her hands and exclaims with a determined expression on her face: "Ker-cham,Ale-cham,watch me!!,today I will show how powerful I am when I fight for my companions".
"Jeez...he's as scary as Kenny and Ain." Isaac Sherman remarked, he had only been part of the crew for a relatively small period of time compared to the rest of the crew, but he had as much intent as anyone else to help him in this battle, even if it meant things would get...rough, or well, rougher. He gulped loudly, his pupils appearing to vibrate as he looked forward. It was the display of Haoshoku Haki that made him tremble, along with the fact that they were about to face a Yonko affiliate.
"No surprise that Captain is amazing..." Though Alexis felt chills through her skin, she couldn't help but smile and feel the life breathing into her. Several weapons and items were spread throughout the port, surely, something that she could use.
This was it, the war horn for them to siege.
Many thuds were heard, accompanied by several loud sounds of things crashing over the ground. Much of the workers fell to the ground, whilst their eyes rolled back into their sockets, and foam escaped their mouths. Even some of the O.G Pirates found their bodies meeting the soil, though, a good majority of them stood as tall as ever, looking around themselves.
"H-Haoshoku?!"
"Who's even there?!"
"A-Almost half of us..."
Alexis waited no more, jumping over the wood of the docks and preparing to run towards the nearbiest object, only for her eyes to widen when they were filled with a blinding green, one that covered the whole location, and the sound of metal... cutting the air itself. The footing she was to have, was no more.
What seemed to be myriads of vertical slashes coupled with horizontal ones, their forms large and tonned green, swarmed all that stood in their path, having come from the simple motions of a swordswoman. Flickering slices up and down, left and right. The items and the wood of the docks beneath them parted into several squares, even the bodies of some unconscious All-Lands were washed away, similarly divided like the wood, yet, they stopped not the pressure of this attack, the very waters were spliced into cubes as well. A tremenduous amount of wind was pressed offwards, followed by the water cubes crashing against the ships in an attempt to push them away from Gloriain's bay.
"Net," Green light vanished within a scabbard, blinking into several dots, as a silver-haired woman sheathed her sword, the Meito of Wazamono rank: Agloniri. With her teeth, she held a blade of grass, smiling at the destruction that had ensued, its gusts of wind moving her clothes.
This was Ailly, Primero of the All-lands, and a swordsman worth 180,000,000, famed for her Fukaittoryu. "Well, well..." She mused, the other All-lands held themselves due to the raging wind, this ought to give them sometime to properly respond and readjust themselves.
Alexis was simply flickered away over the ocean, having used Busoshoku Haki to take the brunt of that attack and only being pushed, instead of cut. "?!"
"Geppo!" In a flash, Alexis found herself floating over solid ground. No, not floating, she was being held. Fang smiled a toothy grin, his mask being pulled off to reveal his numerous razor-sharp teeth. Placing her back on her feet. "We just got you back. Try not get taken out of commission already." He turned back towards the battlefield, flicking his tongue. He could smell them; their emotions, their auras, every move they would make. It was amazing what a little bit of Kenbunshoku Haki could do when combined with his incredible sense of smell. He licked his claws in preparation.
The winds whipped and roared. Their ferocity was something not to be undermined, several ships within the fleet were pushed back by the sheer power. But, for whatever reason, be it the amount of people aboard or, the cargo, or the material that made up the Laughing Turtle, it failed to budge.
While several members aboard the ship were blown back by the force, or had to put some form of work into preventing it from knocking them about, the wind's only seemed to phase through Kerrim's body as he continued to stand at the bow, eyeing the O.G. It was one of the many benefits of being a Logia.
The bow provided Kerrim an overhead advantage, raising a single hand to the sky as he did so. A singular cannon rose from the deck of the Laughing Turtle, followed by two more that rose on both of it's sides. This pattern continued, like a chain reaction, until a dozen cannons aimed at the O.G Pirates. They moment was one in simple, a shadow loomed over Kerrim's face as he looked down upon those who objected his rule. A sudden flare of red broke through the shadows as a downwards curved line of white was sketched beneath the glaring red.
"Hands off my compas." He spoke, short and simple. Each cannon unleashed a blast of shadow that, upon joining one another, created a massive advancing wall of shadow that likely held the power to level the entire town, if not the surrounding area with it. The cannons were Kerrim's special cannons, their power coming from the Shadow Heart within the Laughing Turtle, the Shadow Heart that made it impossible for shadows to persist upon the ship's wooden floors.
Darkness loomed over the beach of Gloriain with ease, had the night come and their clocks were wrong? On cue, not much time was provided for the O.G Pirates to devise any big strategy.
"SHIT-" Ailly's eyes widened as a spark of black enveloped her hands and sword, manifesting alongside a green aura. She pushed them forward, having been the closest to the wall of dark that sought on marching over them all, circling around the entire beach in a single second. Ailly didn't know why exactly she went for using Haki, perhaps another of the selves noticed something.
Not much time, yet...
It hadn't just been Ailly, many other crewmembers of the O.G marched directly against the dark wall, not even budging in its presence, while the unconscious ones were simply flung away by the sheer force. Far behind them all was the smirking figure of Billie, whose shining red eyes were naught but an indication of the instinctual usage of Kenbunshoku Haki, he crossed his arms. It had almost been too easy to know that those cannon balls were unusual, something lived within them, only contributing. Through the mental connection they had with one another, the All-lands didn't think twice, many steps sounding throughout the beach.
A man carrying a pair of revolvers and positing himself in a hunched manner yelled, "BIRURU! ALWAYS ON THE CHARGE, EH SIS?!" Dillie, Sei of the All-lands and a pirate whose head was worth 179,000,000, too, engulfed his hands and weapons in Busoshoku Haki. However, instead of shooting, he slammed them against the shadows, "BIRUUUUUUUUUU!"
"BIRURURURURURURU!" This time, a man with wild hair and formal clothes appeared by, not flying away due to the effort of his comrades. Filly, the Sette amongst the All-lands and a scientist valued for 160,000,000, continued his vicious laughter, "I KNOW WHAT Y'ALL THINKIN', FILLY CAN'T DO SHIT WITHOUT 'IS GADGETS!" Kneeling down, he gritted his teeth while lifting up a relatively large boulder, "NO SHIT!! BIRURU!" The same boulder was encased in the black and green auras of his Haki, then pressed into the wall.
Many others did the same, slamming their limbs or weapons in order to push the wall of shadows. Billie's smile widened, the wall had been the premptive strike of whoever this truly was, however, it had also been blocking the visions of anyone outside. True, they could use Haki just like he had, but, unlike the O.G, the invading crew's auras were fairly different once uncloaked.
Their vision being obscured wasn't enough, Billie rose his left hand and snapped his fingers loudly, so that such sound reached out into the seas without warning. Meanwhile, the remaining members of the crew took position.
Fang ignored the snap, or more accurately, he couldn't even hear it. He had fought Billie before, and had taken special precautions against his strange ability. It was a good thing Komodo dragons couldn't hear as well as humans, either lower pitches or higher ones. Kerrim's assault was the perfect smokescreen for him as well. His body, hidden by the wall of shadows as the O.G Pirates attempted to hold it. Even in direct combat, his ability to completely hide his presence was an asset. It was time to pounce, like a predator coming out of the brush.
Reddish orange flames collected in his hands, condensing into a sphere of flames. He began moving closer, the flames becoming stronger with each moment that passed, his Haki enhancing the flames even further and helping them maintain their shape. He jumped into the air, remaining high above the wall and seeing the rival pirate crew beneath him, staying airborne and rising quickly with Kamisori. At this point, the sphere in his hands had turned white. It was ready.
"Ryu no Shinsei!" He threw the sphere towards the half of the wall the O.Gs were behind. A massive explosion would go off the second it touched the ground, charring the ground and making a massive crater. Those closest to the blast would likely get charred themselves. Tt was thrown close to the wall, where the strongest O.Gs held back the shadows. Anyone else nearby would get through back from the sheer force, alongside comparatively minor burns. Of course, the O.G Pirates were no ordinary crew, and Fang made sure to keep his guard up.
A sudden surge of energy signified the power of one man. Aboard one of the other ships in the Cheeky fleet, several tiki-like idols danced around, gliding through the air with ease. Suddenly, they begun to pick up speed. Which each movement they erupted a small shockwave behind them, speckles of gold and green embellishing their frames. Their frantic and random flight eventually came to an end. Their flight pattern now became focused on one point.
Circuit Merah, a Show Stopper within the Cheeky Pirate crew and overseer of Foodvalten. He was many things, and a marvelous inventor was one of them, as well as Fang's superior. "Oi, Fang, tear 'em apart!" He spoke, although loud, he didn't believe his words would reach Fang. He rose his right hand to the sky, his pinkie and index finger slightly folded as the remaining three pointed directly upwards.
Three of the idols came together, channeling an energy that ebbed from their frames between one another. They floated up, high enough to the point they overshot Fang himself. Then, their bodies tilted, focusing the energy towards the ground directly in the middle of the O.G forces.
"Yo, Lyov, gimme a boost!" Kelby spoke, running towards Lyov. Kelby took a small leap, Lyov catching the foot of Kelby's shoes in his hand. Among the crew, Lyov undoubtedly stood as one of the strongest in terms of brute strength alone. And such he was perfect for the task.
"Go!" Kelby ordered, causing Lyov to boost him up into the sky. With an aerial view, he smiled as red flared in his eyes.
From below Kelby, Merah would order his own attack. "Technique 3-1: Heavenly Earth!" He ordered. The trio of idols released the energy that had been growing between them. It rushed through the area without fail. No, it seemed to teleport. Upon being released, one couldn't even see it's path of travel. However, the attack didn't aim for anyone. The orb of green and gold dug itself into the ground. Then, it was followed with an eruption of power.
Even then, the energy itself didn't seem to attack. Instead, if knocked up an unfathomable amount of dust that bulged inwards at several points. Stone chunks that should've been present were merely particles of dust that formed a cloak. As such, once the heat from Fang's attack came in contact with this dust, it would bounce off of the many particles and cause a ricochet effect, preventing the heat of Fang's attack from escaping it's domain and further increasing the severity of the burns it would cause to the O.G Pirates.
One could have said that the mistake laid in Fang going into enemy territory on his own, but, no, the true mistake was the fact that Fang was a symbol of lead. He had attitude, charge, the actions of the other Cheeky Pirates were made in lieu of his strategy, they were all tied together, something that made it easier for them to fall apart.
Kelby's and Fang's presences hadn't been dealt by any sort of sniper, hidden attacker, or anything of the sort, those reserved themselves, instead, they were dealt with through pure observation. Though the fire that broke out illuminated the area in attempt to burn the O.G, Billie had foreseen it all, having had his Kenbunshoku active since earlier, plus, having been one amongst many targets, he possessed much freedom. Unlike the enemies.
The All-lands needed no physical signal, after all.
Dillie bent his arms backwards and the world rumbled, grinning as he fired his two revolvers in Fang's direction, two bullets soared into the mass of fire, yet, they went unimpeded, almost as if their composition harbored a resistance to it. They were all told of Fang's Rokushiki skills, that was when the hidden fighters would act and catch him should he try to move from where he was, however, they had greatly underestimated the physical abilities he harbored, for those bullets were likely to not even breach his skin.
Even then, how could a simple thing like that be enough to counter the incredible teamwork that the Cheeky dished out? Maybe they hadn't even committed any sort of mistake.
What they had all failed to notice was how some of the All-lands were pushing against the shadow wall. They had poured their very spirit into their weapons and pressed forward, spirit which they all shared, deep down, spirit which was connected... If the weapons hadn't been used as a medium to transmit their Haki into the wall, the All-lands wouldn't have managed to feint that they were not simply holding it back. Ever since the start, when Billie analyzed the attack, they all were set into motion. The shadows that sought to swallow them had no will of their own, they were almost immediately wrapped in the coat of the O.G's Haki, which happened so swiftly due to the fact that their auras already bore ties.
When Dillie bent his arms to shoot at Fang, that was when the following signal was given, the other All-lands standing against the wall shifted their arms and bodies in the direction of the heat and lights. Instantly, the shadows were forced onto a new form, wrapping around Fang, Kelby, and some of the All-lands that didn't manage to stay away, shaped into a sphere that would contain Merah's lights, Fang's flames, and concentrate their full brunt on the mentioned individuals. Normally, the powers would be likely dispelled before anything harsh happened, however, Bill's foreseeing of the events and the quickness at which they acted could surely catch them off guard, even Fang, a seasoned warrior and beast, had much to worry about, since he was also being shot at. Though their own crew mates were inside, the remaining All-lands hesitated not, they were all but needed to make sure that neither Fang nor Kelby managed to escape.
This was a conjoint technique, their Original Trap.
Merah's lights had significantly increased the potency and heat of Fang's flames, though those were generated from his very body, it didn't mean that he was completely immune to them, Kelby even less. Their bluntness, the fact they were compacted by the shadows and Haki, even if Fang had increased them with his Haki in an attempt to breach the O.G's control over the shadows, his efforts would be rendered null by the redirection of those flames provoked by Merah.
Fang felt the bullets hit his scales, then simply fall from his body. The distraction was brief, but it was enough. By the time his attention was turned back to the All-Lands, the Original Trap was already in effect. With a quick kick through the air, he moved over to Kelby, pushing him out of the way as the technique cocooned around him. "Don't help me" was the last thing he said before he was completely enveloped. The heat from the flames were nothing to him, he simply absorbed it back into his body, but that wasn't exactly the issue here. His body hardened with Haki as he attempted to withstand the trap. He hit the ground with a hard thud, stuck in a black sphere. He could only hope that he provided enough of a distraction for the rest of the Cheekys to make landfall.
Sherman watched amazed as it all enveloped. He witnessed everything, from Fang's idiotic yet brave leap of faith to add on to the offensive, as well as those from the Show Stoppers. He witnessed too, how the All-lands shaped the shadow will with their will onto a sphere that would trap Fang and Kelby, had Fang not interfered. "Dammit, this is too dangerous, dangerous it is!" he said curling his fists, he got slightly closer to the deck of the ship, where he could watch the trapped Fang. "Hang on comrade, you can do it!" he stated. He felt rather useless in this situation, but he was at the ready. Were Fang or anyone else to be injured, he would support them however he could.
As the flaring flames of Fang's attack came back towards the two, Kelby couldn't help but cover his eyes at the exposure of the solar flare. But then, he felt his body being moved against his will. Opening his eyes, albeit slowly in fear his eyes would be met with white flames, he noticed he was no longer in danger, at least at the moment. Twisting his body midair, he managed to land back on the ship, although he temporarily lost his balance which caused him to fall. The impact caused his vision to dart back to the sky, several black spheres seemed to fly like ballistics. Sitting on his butt, he rubbed his head.
"Damn, that Fang, always thinking of his teammates." An image flashed in Kelby's mind, one of Maurier Harlan followed by that damned Samuel. "At least he seems more reliable than that Mink." He spoke to himself.
Merah sighed, looking up at Fang. "Hold out just a bit longer kid, we'll get you out." He spoke. And that's when it happened. Something white begun to grow from the ground directly in the center of the O.G forces. No, it was many things. Several plants, blooming directly in the middle of warfare. "That Kelby, always been a tad bit deceptive." Indeed, Merah's intentions for his attack were to distract the O.G, even if it did backfire to a degree, but the true threat now posed itself.
"Shokusei: Sleepy Meadows!" Kelby called out, although who would hear him? After all, the sound of Billie's snaps drowned out almost all other sounds, something that allowed Kelby to fire his bullets without anyone hearing a single shot. The distance helped, after all, Lyov only heard Kelby's call for assist due to the close proximity. Nevertheless, Kelby's plan had been set into motion.
As the many plants rose to their full height in an instant, as was the function of Pop Greens, it was evident not all of them were of the same breed. Some were green, others were red, and best not to forget the white flower that started it all, among the many other colors. Apart, the plants had many effects. But together, the pheromones combined together, the mixing of their many scents in this exact ratio formed a potent sleeping agent.
The smell reacted with all things, the lingering insects would fall unconscious without a hitch. The area surrounding the O.G troops was dense with particles that completely clouded their vision. Not only did this show the potency of the pheromones and serve as a smokescreen of sorts, but it also succeeded in marking where these pheromones had been gathered in the greatest of populous.
Seeing the situation Fang was in, Hilda remembered the feeling of guilt she felt for what happened to Alexis, at this moment, driven by her feelings Hilda grabbed her axe with strength and serrated her fist, she took on a fierce look, shouting: "Fang, hold on a little longer, I'll get you out!"
However it had been that Kelby was led to believe there was no sound, thinking about it would only cost him, even if just a little. When his well-placed plant life began to sprout from the beach, the All-lands all decided which of Billie's strategies they would use next. After all, Billie had went unimpeded during much of the action, still, these plants were nothing to roll eyes upon, the sensations he felt through Kenbunshoku showed that almost all of them would be downed by the plants. Still, it wasn't as if that was the only thing to come, other All-lands watched both the sky and the ground, he could diverge his attention just a little bit.
"BIRURU!!" Most of All-lands laughed in face of Kelby's plants, only to move their arms wildly. Instantly, the sphere of shadows and flames within that they held opened in a "C" formation, with its opening directed at the ocean in front of them. Some would have deemed such a thing crazy, after all, Fang was imprisoned there, surely now he would be free to help his crew. Howsoever, Merah's lights were there to give out more of their assistance, given he hadn't dispelled them at all.
In order to preserve time and effort, thus making the subsequent reaction instantaneous, none of the All-Lands bothered to direct those lights in any particular direction. That, along with making it such a swift attack, allowed what came next to go in completely random directions. Given the new shape of their construct, all of the flames that were being redirected and rebound, found themselves taking a concentrated form, akin to lasers fired by the very sun, and spread outwards to the entire fleet of the Cheeky Pirates. They had instantly illuminated the atmosphere once again, providing blindness to those that were faced with it, something that could possibly lower their guards.
With their new forms, the fire beams cut through the area and aimed to pass through random spots in Fang's body, having managed to hold him down even in their weaker form earlier, surely they should be capable of breaching his defenses, utilizing their bluntness despite his fire absorption. Not only that, seconds beforehand, Fang's flesh had been met with the bullets that Dillie fired, which remained into contact very briefly, yet... as they had been capable of bypassing the fire earlier with their composition, these were bullets made of Seastone, a material that could weaken Devil Fruit users beyond not being able to summon their power. With his physicality further robbed, Fang's defenses lowered in face of the fire beams. The same could be said to the garden of death summoned forth by Kelby in front of the O.G due to plant-life's sheer weakness before fire, as well as the many ships that hovered over the sea, all of which carried the Cheeky Pirates.
Kerrim, Lyov, Hilda, Merah... even when the first was a Logia, the sheer qualities exhibited by the beams could prove troublesome for him, after all, much illumination could disperse whatever shadows he would summon, including those of his intangible body, and their piercing form would come through. Thus, they were among the many targets of the fire lasers, lasers that were to pierce into their many forms alongside a surging heat, setting the ships ablaze.
Indeed, despite its name, Original Trap, the attack's intent was never to trap Fang, rather, it was to make use of his very flames.
As Fang had been trapped in a sphere with so much heat emanating from it, even he feared he might be overwhelmed. The flames he had generated had been augmented to such a high degree. He began to transform into his larger, hybrid form, a larger body to more effectively produce and process the high quantities of heat, as well as imbuing his body with Haki to help mitigate the effects of the his white flames. But he suddenly found his transformation and the flow of Haki to be much slower than normal. Had it something to do with that bullet from the O.G?
That's when natural light entered the, now, former sphere, and his flames and Merah's lights were focused into lasers. "Tekkai!" His muscles tightened as he felt the first volley strike into his arms, which he had moved in front of himself to guard his vitals. Despite his performance having been hindered in some manner, his natural defense against the heat, alongside his Haki, scales, and Tekkai, prevented the lasers from piercing through him. Despite this, they still slammed into him like miniature cannonballs, knocking him out of his former cage and onto the ground.
Fang scrambled to his knees, observing the area where he had been shot earlier. Sure enough, there was a residue leftover. Seastone. He ripped off a small portion of his shirt and rubbed it off, creating a white rag with a grayish blotch right in the middle of it.
After hitting Fang, the lasers didn't stop and spread repeatedly in the direction of the other Cheeky members, Hilda who had walked further to observe that it had happened to Fang, was the first to receive them.
Realizing that he couldn't avoid the laser gusts, with the imminent speed of the attack and also Hilda's natural disadvantage to speed due to her large size, so in a last attempt to avoid lethal damage, he covered his axe with Busoshoku Haki, and positioned it at the height of his torso and head, supporting him with both hands, using it as a kind of shield.
When she was hit directly by a beam, Hilda was pressed as she bent her knees and was pushed a few meters back, but resuming her posture, she regained her firmness and stopped the forced retreat.
However, even if she held on, she knew she wouldn't be able to hold on to it any longer, so she exclaimed : "Shit!! No, I can do it, not alone"
This attack, so this is what the Hive Mind known as the O.G Pirates could dish out when one failed to avert their strategies. It was amazing, and deadly of course. There had been no time to marvel at the grand schemes they could come up with, after all, Kerrim was now being directly attacked along with the remainder of his fleet. What a pain.
Yes, the blinding light was nothing to scoff at. Indeed it naturally would prevent Kerrim from utilizing his Devil Fruit, but should he use Busoshoku Haki, his shadows would be able to endure this attack. But then again, it was the shadows that made this attack possible in the first place. No, it was time for Kerrim to do what he did best.
He quickly drew Mistilteinn from it's sheathe, the grand light causing the man to close his eyes in pain. Even then, he failed to stop as his movements were so rapid and fluid that the air around him flowed with his figure long before it could feel even a fragment of the intense heat ahead. Speed was Red Feather's forte, and there were few who could contend. Kerrim pointed the tip of Mistilteinn ahead of him, he didn't have to see to know where his possible demise had been coming from. Had one the potential to see past these bright lights, they'd notice mixtures of gold and green shining from several points. What had this been?
Along with whatever Kerrim had in mind, it appeared Merah had set up a defense mechanism of his own at some point. An energy field of some sort, they seemed to materialize as mirrors. Upon coming in contact with the lasers, they'd bounce off and ricochet back towards the O.G. Some collided with other lasers, resulting in explosions of heat and energy that shook the tides. However, the way these mirrors were placed didn't cover enough room to turn back all the lasers, causing those that escaped to damage lesser ships within the fleet beyond repair, and even harming some of the larger ones, but still leaving them functional beyond the scorched wood and sails.
Kerrim would pull his sword to his chest, the sharpened point still pointing directly in front of him. Kerrim was never one of the strongest when it came to physical strength, and perhaps that led to him leaning on his Devil Fruit to such a degree. But Kerrim was still a swordsman, and so it was foolish for one to think cutting him off from his Devil Fruit was the end all.
"STRAIGHT THRUST!" Kerrim shouted, his speed was one thing that was equally distributed through his body. And a sudden burst of speed had just as much power, if not greater power, than strength. It was an action that only took an instant to cause, and it set off an impressive chain of events. From Kerrim's sudden thrust of Mistilteinn, the air was excited to such a degree it burst forward with haste. However, the power was focused, the air that was pushed formed what appeared to be an arrow-head of concentrated wind pressure. And so, not only was this a speedy attack, but one so focused in terms of the usage that it essentially projected Mistilteinn's pointed blade with a still, and steel, image of the blade from wind itself, although drastically scaled to the point it dwarfed the Laughing Turtle in size alone.
This image was certainly something to marvel upon, as many of the lasers that were still flying seemed to follow it's edges, shooting off into other directions that caused them to completely miss the Laughing Turtle, although some damage had already been done from lasers that had already made impact. Nevertheless, Kerrim had managed to succeed in preventing a vast majority of these lasers from doing vital damage to the ship. With a majority of the remaining lasers ending up scattered, several flew into the air, others out to the right or the left. And those that didn't go in either of those directions landed directly into the sea. The many lasers flying into the sea caused a vast smokescreen to be born, as one could only expect by so much heat meeting water.
However, despite Kerrim's Straight Thrust managing to divert so many of the lasers, among those that still caused damage to the fleet, one in particular flew directly through the smokescreen. Not dispersing it, but surely making it's presence known. Red flared within the smokescreen as that laser flew straight into the air. It was unknown what had happened behind said smokescreen. What had been done?
Suddenly, voices came from behind the smokescreen. They were approaching the O.G combatants. "First Shadow Heart failed, Fang took a heavy hit and Merah's technology only served to augment our punishment." One voice called, obviously hailing from Kerrim.
"Kelby's plan could've worked, only had he placed those flowers a whiles back." Called another voice, this one was feminine, yet it had an odd echoing effect with it. "Perhaps it's time we use the Arachnoids? Or test the skill of these other Amateurs. Lyov is quite strong, is he not?"
"And he's an idiot!" Called another voice, this one was deep and grizzly, yet it didn't seem all too human.
"You're one to talk. Fine, what about Bhatt?" Went the feminine voice again.
"What's she gonna do? Dance with her ribbons?"
Then, three figures broke through the smokescreen with one swift jump. The first to make landfall was Kerrim, his arrival being accompanied with a heavy resounding thud. Although it felt weak on this end, perhaps that's simply what one expected from him.
Then, the next two figures made landfall, although at slightly different intervals. They too had resounding thuds, although the crash of the bulkier figure felt somewhat weaker than that of the feminine figure that landed afterwards. This bulky figure was Shad. However, the feminine figure had gone unseen for sometime.
She was quite tall, easily exceeding even Shad's massive ten feet stature. She moved with a cane, yet it failed to touch the ground. Her face was completely blanketed in pitch darkness. All that shown were her eyes, a glowing golden glare. She wore a gold and black outfit, all of which just served to make her hat so much more glamorous. Adshe, along with Shad, formed the Blackouts of the Cheeky Pirate crew.
"Quit your bickering, you two." Kerrim spoke. His outfit seemed to have smoldered points and his face was covered in several patches of black. As he stood with Adshe and Shad, something hit the ground with a metallic clang. It seemed to be the blade and hilt of a sword, yet not together.
"Sorry dad."
"Apologies, father."
"I told you two to stop calling me that!" Kerrim ordered, veins popping through his head with a comedic flare. It seemed, Kerrim, along with his self-proclaimed children intended to take on the O.G pirates by their lonesome.
“Sorry, captain,” Fang panted. The bruises on his body didn’t seem too serious; he’d be able to fight again, yet he stayed knelt to the ground, behind the construct that had been turned against them. “I suppose I jumped the gun there, didn’t I?”
As Kerrim looked towards Fang, Adshe and Shad kept their attention on the O.G force. Kerrim simply gave a nod, what exactly did it mean? Nevertheless, he once more focused upon the O.G, awaiting their next move.
When the O.G returned the many attacks of the Cheeky Pirates with ease, an interesting series of events ensued. The Captain, as expected, had taken the lead along with some other members to stop the majority of the lasers. However, there were a few of them that still made their way to the many members of the crew.
Knowing that he couldn't do anything just yet for the ships and the other members, as soon as the bright light flashed, Sherman began to act to protect himself. Instinctively the cape that always draped over his shoulders completely enveloped Sherman in the fabric. A layer of black covered the cape, although it would've been almost unnoticeable due to the cape's original pitch black color.
He panted heavily as he protected himself, a few lasers clashing against his hardened cape and pushing him back. When it was over his cape returned to normalcy, as he stood with his fists clenched. He couldn't do anything, Kerrim had saved him, yet he couldn't do anything. Much like the rest of the crew, he jumped through the smokescreen they had created and landed with them, his eyes immediately moving to Fang.
"Gerongian. Let me see your injuries, your injuries yes!" he screamed, gulping. He still hadn't learned his name...
"I'm fine," Fang began to say, until he remembered who this fellow was. He was a new recruit, a former World Government scientist. He didn't feel as if his wounds were that severe, but figured every bit of assistance might help in this war. He showed the good doctor his arms, which were rather bruised. "Got anything to fix me up quick?"
"A-alas, yes I do, I do!" he stuttered nervously as he reached into his coat. He pulled out a spray glass bottle, a pinkish liquid inside it. He assumed that Fang would be disgusted or at least wary of whatever the Quack Doctor made but he would not be able to notice as he sprayed the liquid on Fang's arms vigorously. Soon enough, the bruises disappeared, returning Fang to his previous, more healthy state. This liquid that he had applied was a simple solution he discovered, based on the Rebound Mushrooms that he had somehow gotten his hands on.
"Thank you for trusting me...er...Feng?"
"It's Fang," said the Gerongian, but he didn't seem irritated by the doctor failing to remember his name. He felt great now, better than he had before the battle even started. Yet, he still stayed close to the ground, crouched behind the remains of the Original Trap. "Thanks, Sherman, glad to have you in the crew."
Next to Fang, Kerrim and Sherman was Hilda partially on her knees, as she leaned her hands on her axe, breathed breathlessly, while the sweat drops flowed down her face showing the effort she had made in trying to stop the main laser wave.
It must have been the captain, no doubt about it, the man unfairly worth 450,000,000, certainly given how much they researched on him. Mauricio Kerrim, the largest of shadows, rather, someone with such a brilliant sun, that his silhouette engulfed most of his enemies. Kerrim diverging the attack without truly destroying just spoke of his swordsmanship skills, no doubt that he was grander at those than any of the No-Lands, All-Lands, and Quattro Temporali. All the lasers went on somewhat long, but, it was clear how much the Cheeky saved, a gust of wind hit everyone and washed the remains of the shadows controlled.
Yet, it was that same shade from Kerrim that reminded them. To say that the O.G Pirates didn't think that their attack would be intercepted was something far fetched, most O.G grinned to the point their faces could have been torn. Not all of them shared the same exact experience, despite the connection between thoughts and ideas, some, of course, were older than others. They could not share physical abilities once created, each of them had to do their own progress, all routes based on the potential shared from Bill.
Due to that, in wars raged during the past few decades, battle zones of myriad types, some of them truly shone when together. People often remarked on the synchrony of their actions, despite how contrasting they were with one another, how they each presented themselves, how they fought. Beyond their potential even, the choices they made, the analysis they did.
Large, long, well built, the shadows projected by the Cheeky Pirates required quite a bit of time analyzed, their hearts beat at different intervals. The O.G Pirates' hearts beat in perfect unison, seemingly, their shadows were easier to look at, almost like molds. Many shadows against blankness.
"So different, yet, the same."
Said everyone and no one.
Up until that very moment, the Cheeky crew were likely giving their best. But, that also could backfire in many ways, one of which the O.G had been looking forward to use, grins etched into some of their faces. The Cheeky finally managed to dock on the soil, with all of their members closer to the sea and ships, putting distance between them and the O.G. However, by trying to close the distance, they ensured something else took place.
With the shadows and lasers gone, the Cheeky Pirates would notice that some of the All-Lands were close to one another. And, among them, stood someone that was able to pass as one of them without even trying. Of course, given whom that was, the Cheeky would instantly recognize her, laying on her knees and held by the hand of one of the O.G around her neck.
Given the might of each Cheeky Pirate, it was safe to conclude that they could get there. But, it wasn't as if the O.G were alone. They were never alone. "Birururu, yer all careless!" Billie laughed wild and pointed at the Cheeky Pirates. "No steps closer! She live if y'all don't try anything," He gazed at them.
Eyes closed, frame bruised, mouth mumbling, Rena Alexis let her head hang forward, she shook it from one shoulder to the other slowly. None of her mumbles reached out to the sea, nor to her crew members, her mind was quite busy while processing several memories. Some recent, some old, memories nevertheless.
"Mommy, going to work again?" A young Alexis beamed at her mother. Her hair was short and she worn a simple blue dress. She stood on a sofa, eyeing her mother coming and going around the house.
The house was relatively simple, beige walls, glass windows, at least on that room. A Television with some cartoon did noises in the background, created due to Den Den Mushi transmitting the signal through one another. The sofa Alexis was in was not the only, parallel to it was one of the same design.
Long, wavy white hair, marine clothes, a pale skin. Alexis' mother, Bernie R. Helena, rested her fists on her hips and turned to face her daughter. "Of course my little one!" Her smile was large.
"Is auntie Penelope needing help?" Alexis pouted her lips.
"Oh," Alexis reminded her daughter and gestured with a hand, "She's changed names, little one."
The little Alexis gasped, "Wow! That's amazing mommy!" Her mother responded with another smile and moved to get out of their house. Only then, "Can I change mine, mommy?"
Blinks, gapes, Alexis halted and looked at her daughter another time. "Wha-"
"Alexis," little Alexis said with a wide smile. "I wanna' be like you."
Alexis blinked several times, under a second she was close to her daughter. Tears gathered on her eyes, they hugged.
"No steps closer! She live if y'all don't try anything!" Billie had said. However, his expression changed out of nowhere and he drew a bladed weapon, talking to the Cheeky, "Whatever games yer playin', stop." Swiftly, he sliced it in Alexis' direction, her eyes burst open.
"Why am I seeing things... funny...?" Many thoughts had Alexis dozing, along the scenery in front of her. For some reason, her friends and crew members were flipped upside down, the sand was just the same, her vision rotated. "I'm not moving my neck..."
To all the others observing, O.G and Cheeky alike, they saw a surge of blood, they saw something falling and rolling on the sand. "Guys..." Alexis' hair fell upon the particles of the beach. "You all..." Her thoughts unfinished, Alexis looked toward nowhere, she said no more, she couldn't. "Just like mom..."
Why was it getting so dark? Had her mother left to work again? No, Alexis didn't want to be alone, where was mom? What was she doing? How was she? Where was the crew? Did they leave just like mother? Why so many questions?
It was getting so cold, so... vague, darkness started to take Alexis' vision, the sounds of the world got lower and lower, she didn't blink, she didn't close her mouth, she didn't smile.
A Team's War[]
As he saw her head, severed from her body, Fang was reminded of something. Back when he had first fought against the O.G, when Alexis had been injured in that explosion, he had been tricked. Yes, he blamed himself for falling for the trap, but he wouldn’t have done so if it wasn’t for one man: Billie. And in that moment of clarity, something welled up from within him. He flicked his tongue.
The Gerongians are a rather peaceful race. Despite their reputation as bloodthirsty animals, they were more civilized than humans. They had to be. If they became enraged, even for an instant, calamity would strike. Fang, himself, had only ever seen one Gerongian become enraged and she had nearly burned down the forest. It was a scary time.
Throughout his entire tenure as a marine, a bounty hunter, and a pirate, he had seen prejudice, murder, slavery, all manner of things he despised, yet not once had he been angry. But now, with his comrade dead before him, he could no longer hold back. It was his fault. It was Billie’s fault. No, that wasn’t it. He was angry at two people: Billie and himself.
For once, Fang’s aura could be felt, and rather than it being a disarming calm as a Gerongian would normally have, it was a sickening rage. His forest green spirit transformed into blood red. And to match this internal change externally, his eyes had become red. His already great power seemed to rise, continuously, and without limit. The longer he processed what had just happened, the stronger he seemed to get. The power seemed to grow and grow, impossible to ignore. And in an instant it was somewhere else.
The ground where he had stepped had cracked beneath his feet, the power of ten kicks having pulverized it as he had used Soru. His rage couldn’t be held back, and he couldn’t kill himself, not now at least, so Fang focused on the other object of his anger. He reached out with his massive, hybrid hand for Billie’s head, blackened by the power of his Haki. He was going to crush it like a grape. He flicked his tongue again.
Hilda was still standing, her breath was still a little panting because of her effort when she tried to deflect the laser, but when she looked ahead, the giant's eyes immediately lost their brightness as she kept staring at Billie and Alexis' apparently lifeless body, she shook her head, incredulously, trying to deny the reality of the scene in front of her.
In a few moments, the inevitable tears came from Hilda's static eyes and ran down her face, followed by a loud shouting "Aleeeee!!!"
Shortly after the scream, she advanced in an explosion of fury, moving towards Billie, her sad expression was replaced by a face full of rage, and her tears still flowed as she looked at the O.G. member, wielding the axe she raised over her head, preparing to divide Farland in half, the force applied to that blow was no greater than her anger visible by her furious gaze and the protruding veins in her fists.
"Die, you fucking bastard!!!"
Kerrim looked at Alexis's body, a shadow loomed over his face. Was he this pitiful of a leader? He shouldn't have let her come! Why was he such a screw up! Still glaring at her, it was terrifying, her hair shifted to black and back to gray. First it was slow, but then it sped up until he could promise he felt himself developing a seizure from the rapid shifts.
Was he this pitiful of a fighter? Why did she chose him to back her up? Why was he... No, it's not his fault. Time slowed for Kerrim, every glance was something new for him, as if he could process everything within an instant. And so, the echos of Fang's fury, his people usually peaceful but known to erupt with explosive anger, it was always the nice ones you should watch out for. The stomps of Hilda's ferocity, the mighty giants with statures that blocked out the sun. He had all but knew they were coming now, their frames merely suggesting to the sudden actions to be made.
"It's your fault." Kerrim spoke, staring towards Billie, yet for some reason his hair too seemed to shift, to blue and back to gray. Kerrim rose his hands, Adshe and Shad's bodies growing around his finger tips. The two looked towards their Captain, he didn't have to say a word. They already knew the order.
"Subdue Fang and Hilda."
Blitzing faster than both Fang and Hilda, largely on account that they held bodies made of shadow, much lighter than any of the two. Shad's body was massive in bulk sure, and Adshe's height was something to marvel, but the two had so little mass they could glide upon wind. Shad would grip around Fang, his body binding upon the Gerongian's own. Darkness would become fixed on several joints on Fang's body, restricting the man's movements.
As Adshe tethered herself to Hilda, her eyes also seemed trained on Alexis's body, awaiting to see if anything strange would happen. Nevertheless, she too would aim to restrict the giant's joints. Her attention had been fixated on Alexis to such a degree she nearly forgot to give Kerrim the go.
Then, it happened. Kerrim's Haoshoku was unique in that it seemed to favor those he favored. In place of rendering Hilda or Fang unconscious, it instead washed them with a calming aura from the front to the back of their bodies and souls. Kerrim had not just been subduing them physically through the Blackouts, but spiritually as well.
They were enraged, how could they not be? So was Kerrim, but he couldn't let his anger overtake his reason. His consciousness was a grand one, his Haoshoku awakening from every bit of it. The will that order them to end their thoughtless assault, to think like him for a moment. But was that even possible? His ability to keep cool even in a situation such as this, was it because he was a conqueror? Or had he just become numb to the pain? Regardless, he had to drag them out of the sea of emotions that had currently been dragging them under.
"D-don't!" Sherman exclaimed yet his scream, his plead for his new crew did not stop them from pursuing the man. He couldn't blame them, in fact, it shocked him that only two of them sought to end the figure known as Billie right there and then. One of their trusted allies had died, right before their very eyes. It was for this very reason that Sherman could aim to stop them, while they were enraged, and rightfully so, he could remain somewhat calm in this frantic situation as they made their foolish approach.
He extended his hand out but before he could do anything, Kerrim had acted. Shadows had grabbed unto both Hilda and Fang incredibly quickly, their screams growing quiet as they were dragged back. A smile formed on Sherman's trembling lips. This was him. The man that had offered him an opportunity after his life was nearly ruined. He clenched his hands as his cloak completely covered him, slight movements occurring within it.
Gulp.
"Hmph," Billie scoffed whence the two warriors, the two beasts, a Gerongian and a Giant, rushed at him blindly. Much like he was alone, ah, the audacity, their blindness extended to the world at large. They were right to execute her out in the open, Kerrim's Haoshoku passed by them, weaker, surely he was not wasting spirit to try and take out the ones he couldn't? However, this was better than Billie anticipated, given the presence of some All-Lands around him, whose haki flared, he thought that surely they would think twice before proceeding. Even before Hilda and Fang neared Billie, Alexis, and the others, a command was already on its way, one that went through without being issued.
After all, since beforehand, Billie arranged for some O.G members to position themselves strategically, both hiding and stagnant, waiting for the chance for long. In that very stagnancy and time spent, any semblance of will or presence sank until it couldn't be seen without one trying too hard, something that persisted given how none of the Cheeky Pirates noticed them. And with the rampage those two went into, their attention was fully focused there.
Furthermore, the All-Lands by Billie's side were busy with naught, they were prepared and wouldn't waste this new chance. Having focused themselves on their upper body, rather, on the offensive, Fang and Hilda left themselves open in myriads of ways. Not only that, but they had also compromised the actions of their crew mates, proof of that was their Captain's quick actions. Because of them, Kerrim also subjected himself to an open guard. With Kerrim's intervention, he was likely to limit Fang's and Hilda's reactions, they were being held back, however, parts of their body were still exposed.
The man, who blamed himself for these events, carried an unfair burden.
Instantly, some of the All-Lands moved, Ailly, Dillie, Tillie, Uilly, Zilly, having been by Billie's side. They had one single objective and they all acted at the same time.
Ailly unsheathed her sword with a horizontal swipe of her darkened arm, a darkness that accompanied her blade, almost making it thinner. She moved in such a way that she cut the very air, leaving behind a single after-image, the same was true to the air slash that shot from her blade, illuminating them in green. It stretched long, but remained thin, aimed for Fang's legs and Hilda's lower legs, that same slimness increased the sharpness of the attack, thus concentrating its strength.
Two revolvers, several capsules fell out of them in a blink, the shots hidden by the brightness of Ailly's slash. Dillie used both of his pistols at the same time, but, in different trajectories, one diagonal for Hilda's legs and the other horizontal for Fang's body. Several dark bullets weighted through the small distance between him and the two Cheeky, seeking to etch themselves on their lower bodies just after Ailly's attack. Dillie, too, left a single after-image while opening his arms wide.
Tillie and Uilly acted together, performing the same act as they held pots. They were at opposite sides, one by Fang and the other by Hilda, they yanked the pots forward, which blew up midair and released a certain powder to their sides. If Hilda and Fang dodged inwards, they would meet one another, now, if they dodged outwards, they would be met with the powders.
This quadruple attack was not even supposed to take place by then, but then, they could serve a better purpose. They hid whatever it was that came from the houses, anywhere in the background, things that came from attackers with little to no presence. Capsules fell, shots went through, tiny enough to not be spotted by the naked eye, yet, none of that produced any sound, the air hissed not. That was something some Cheeky experienced before, the lack of sound... however, this was most odd, for every other sound was present, the waves, the yells. Billie snapped earlier, but nothing seemed to come out of it, none of the Cheeky were affected, were these bullets even real? No new round followed the initial ones, even if one managed to notice where they came from, they would see no one.
There were more than a dozen shots coming through in tandem with the quadruple attack. Some homed into Fang and Hilda, who may have been too troubled by the other onslaught to even notice them, while others simply flew by and towards the Cheeky fleet. Since the shadows restrained, but didn't cover them, Fang and Hilda were to rely on their raw defenses, despite not knowing what type of bullets came through.
The ones going for the Fleet were more numerous, the first bullet to land did so in the hull of a ship, although, once again, no sound came out of it as if the shot phased through the wood. Of course, given the presence of the ocean, the ships were rocking ever so slightly above the water, with some moving in different ways.
Fang felt Shad begin to wrap himself around Fang’s body. Due to his lack of a scent and Fang’s own inability to use Kenbunshoku Haki while in a Blood Rage, he couldn’t see him coming. He began to struggle, but just as he was starting to, he felt a wave of calm wash over him: Kerrim’s Haoshoku. His eyes turned from red back to green and his sickening aura transformed back to the disarmingly calm one he always showed, before once again disappearing altogether. His first Blood Rage had ended just as quickly as it had began.
His body was essentially on autopilot during his charge. While Blackouts lacked any particular scent, the O.Gs did, sweat, adrenaline, even the metal of their weapons had sounded to him as he had flicked his tongue, but he couldn’t control himself to react before. He dropped onto all-fours, decreasing the area of which the O.Gs could attack, his muscles tensing as his Haki flowed through his body. “Tekkai “Uroko”!" His Komodo dragon scales stuck up, their shape changing and hardening even further thanks to his Buso, with his claws digging into the ground as he braced himself for impact.
As the O.G began their assault upon Fang and Hilda, Shad for one, hadn't quite cared for the safety of these two. Or any of the other members for that matter. Although, they all looked quite delicious. Regardless, he felt the voice throbbing in his mind, and in the end, he and Adshe continued to follow it.
With Fang now calmed, Shad would shift around Fang's being. After all, his body was essentially weightless, he could shift around someone of Fang's size in an instant without any trouble, not even Hilda would provide a challenge for him. Therefor, when he moved around to Fang's front side, the attack from the opponents had barely even left their source. Reverting to his original form, Shad stood in front of the now crouching Fang with defiance. Busoshoku Haki painted his figure as he prepared himself to fight against the assault.
After being enveloped by the wave of Haoshoku of Kerrim, Hilda suddenly ceased her furious attack, partially losing consciousness, while her body was enveloped by Adshe.
At that moment Hilda's mind, which until then had been blank, began to glimpse in her mind her previous moments with Alexis from the moment she had met her until her last visit to Foodvalten, with each memory the tears in her partially closed eyes flowed more intensely.
It was when suddenly her memories were interrupted and her eyes opened wide, and her pupils glowed red for an instant, there she had felt the accumulation of offensive intentions of All-lands directed at her and Fang, grabbing her axe again with firmness she began to struggle trying to get rid of Adshe and defend herself from the O.G. attack wave.
However, much like Shad before her, Adshe received the order to secure the safety of Fang and Hilda to the best of her abilities. Weightless, much like her counterpart, Adshe shifted around Hilda's body in a snaking darkness, covering her lower body as much as she could. Then, she'd reinforce her presence with a layer of thick Busoshoku Haki.
Then, the assault hit.
Enter Shad, holding up against the entirety of Fang's assault as he could. He braced himself against the might of the assault. First the sword slash, it cut across his mid-section, the clashing of the two sources of Haki was valiant. As Shad stood against the assault, he budged backwards momentarily, this attack was impressive. So impressive in fact, Shad had no hope of overcoming it's might. Instead, he was forced to endure it until it fully ran out of energy to push him any further. However, that wasn't the end of it all.
Next came the bullets fired at him, thankfully they were easier for him to deal with in place of gruesome wind slash. After all, there was a reason the slash came first, right? It was likely meant to do the most damage and weaken while the bullets were to take advantage of the weakened state. However he had no clue if they were even real, and as such, the results of them slamming against him were unknown to the man himself.
Then, there had been Adshe. As Hilda struggled against the Blackout's control, Adshe had relinquished the restraining of the giant's hands. And such, as Hilda begun swinging her axe to combat the O.G assault, it was far from impossible to believe Hilda alone couldn't overwhelm the power of someone so small in size in comparison to herself like Ailly. As such, Hilda did most of the work of defending herself against the incoming wind slash. However, as the bullets rained, Adshe had to do her part in assisting against the defense of any bullets that Hilda's massive axe hadn't knocked aside on it's own.
The bullets would pelt Adshe's body, if they were real of course, as she still glued to Hilda's frame almost like a tattoo. With each bullet, Adshe continued to stare at Alexis's body, yet nothing changed. It was true, wasn't it? She was dead. Nevertheless, she failed to be distracted by it like anyone else would. But as her thoughts flowed in, one person would hear them as well. Kerrim.
As the information was relayed, Kerrim couldn't help but feel a ping in his heart. What he would give to go back, but in the end, he couldn't. He'd have to accept it now, and grieve about it later. As the bullets whizzed past him, he still failed to see their effect. But the O.G were tricky, he couldn't allow them to let anything slip by. He turned to look back at the ship, but a voice protested.
"Keep ya eyes on the enemy Cap'n, don't worry bout us!" Kelby ordered.
"We'll handle ourselves, alright!" Rhita followed suite. It seemed almost as if they hadn't noticed Alexis's deceased body from their location. Maybe it was best they hadn't noticed yet, not all of them had the mental fortitude Kerrim held.
Nevertheless, Kerrim followed the order, turning his head back and keeping his eyes on the O.G. What was his crew planning? He wouldn't have to wait long to find out. The O.G may have had an advantage when it came to coordinating attacks, but they weren't the only one's capable of doing so.
Suddenly, behind Kerrim, Fang, Hilda and the O.G, and in front of the rest of the Cheeky Forces, a massive shine of light emerged without fail. It was a massive green barrier, courtesy of Circuit Merah as four of his robots were evident at each corner. The barrier was unbelievably massive, covering the entirety of the town in terms of width, and towering pretty much all the buildings in height. It's light was immense and benevolent, and came with a cost for those facing it's direction.
Those that this counted for was generally the majority of the O.G forces, if not the entirety. Especially for those who stood before Hilda and Fang. They'd be met with a blinding light that'd obscure their vision without fail. Due to the Cheeky having their back's to the light, they'd be spared it's disastrous effects. However, this didn't seem to be all.
"Yo, Bhatt, hop on!" Kelby spoke. Rhita didn't object, quickly jumping upon Kelby's back. "Catch, when we get over head, just chuck em at those O.G bastards." He ended.
"Right!"
Kelby would bend down into a form of a crouch, he was preparing to leap off into the air. But if he could do that on his own, why did he need Lyov earlier? Some questions would never be answered. As Kelby kicked off the deck of the ship, he soared into the air almost like a child's favorite superhero. Boy had he dreamed of this for so long.
Eventually, the force and speed brought Kelby above the barrier. He position his gun exactly where he needed the bullet to fly. And so, when he pulled the trigger, the final stage of the Cheeky's counter assault would take place. As Kelby did so, a pop green was fired towards the blinded O.G forces. No, it was fired behind them.
"Shokusei: Pollen Sucker!" Kelby shouted. As the pop green struck the ground, it would sprout into an almost cauldron-like shape, an opening in it's tip being slightly leaned enough to the point it opened directly to the O.G in front of it. Suddenly, it would begin to suck in the air in an extremely violent fashion. The powder would be dragged in, and so too would the O.G who were both, unfortunately blinded and would also be bathed in the powder they attempted to use against Fang and Hilda.
However, Kelby had slightly expected them to find some way to fight back, and so, enter Rhita. He had given the girl several small bombs that she'd rain down upon the O.G. Once they hit the ground, they'd destroy whatever footing the enemy crew had and send them flying into the mouth of the Pollen Sucker. Kerrim was far enough behind where he wouldn't be affected, while Hilda was too massive. Shad and Adshe being shadows, couldn't have been pulled in no matter how powerful the suction was. And Shad would likely keep Fang from flying in as well, although he had previously rooted himself.
Everything the Pollen Sucker sucked in had no chance of escape, within it's body was a gullet of acid designed to break down anything and allow the plant to digest it. As such, eventually, the pollen that came from the urns, the dirt from behind Shad, and even the O.G themselves would be sucked in and devoured without fail.
Indeed, so the Cheeky gathered themselves to a certain level and managed to protect their rampaging crew members. For another time, they acted like what they were supposed to be, a crew. Personally, none of the O.G ever thought of not acting like a crew, reasons obvious, even so, they almost laughed at the determination the Cheeky showed.
Still, they proceeded to do a good job, so much that Alexis's death appeared to have no true impact on their morale. Therefore, that had to be further shaken to their very core. While they did a good offensive, the Cheeky failed to notice the activity by the sides of their fleet, since many of their ships reacted with additional weight.
Many All-Lands, some of the ones lying in wait for Billie's orders, were quick to finalize their actions. Having coated themselves in coral bubble, they managed to sneak their way from the land and into underwater, safe from the liquid's power because of it. During the battle, many of them placed themselves strategically to be able to act in any situation. With the Cheeky so focused on what they saw, they left themselves too open. To think these guys wanted to reach their leader, Bill, without two or a few more dropping dead.
They acted quicker than ever and placed devices on the ships' sides, their bubbles gone once out of water, not that they paid attention to it. Even if they were to be noticed now, the All Lands only smiled, the devices were already set to detonate, and if they did do together, it would create a blazing chain of an inferno. Enough to brighten the atmosphere both under and over the water, sending waves of shock all over, it also swallowed the figures of the present O.G, their fates sealed since the pop of their bubbles. They would not have been able to swim without the bubbles, death was just the same, and if the bombs were capable of shredding them apart...
Being placed at the side of the ships' hulls, the bombs could reach down to their very skeletons, affecting them on a deep level, despite not blowing their entire structure apart.
However, such explosions did not detain the events happening due to Kelby's interference in land, they all happened simultaneously.
In fact, many All Lands lost contact with the soil, both due to the Pollen Sucker and Bhatt's tricky bombs. "WOAAAAH!" Some shouted, their yells disappearing into the Pollen Plant's mouth. However, with so many flying into it, they got stuck together in the thing's lips, if those could be called that, temporarily halting the suction. About seven of the All-Lands screamed into the thing's mouth, among which were Tillie, Uillie, and Zilly, their heads almost touching the acidic substance within.
The explosions of the back of the fleet would come in then, generating shock waves and pushing most things at the port town, Billie included. Billie flew towards the Pollen Sucker.
Enough, enough time was given to him, Billie grinned and suddenly held a sword out, having been the only one not to fly off towards the Pollen Sucker, only standing there with his arms crossed. That was not to say it wouldn't draw him in, if the others weren't sucked before him, his fate would have been sealed. "HAAAAH!" A burst of green and black circulated from Billie's arm and into the sword, producing a small pressure wave once it tightened on the blade. Without pause, he clumsily swung it against the plant monster's base, splicing the very air his blade went through in aim to basically behead the monster.
The explosions were born behind Kerrim. Several erupting explosions didn't go unheard, but Kerrim couldn't afford to turn around. His crew told them not to worry about them. That they could handle themselves. He'd just have to take their word for it. Otherwise, him turning back would be a betrayal in the faith he was meant to have in them. Besides, most of the crew could swim. And hopefully one of the others aboard the ship had a plan for the O.G's attack.
Kerrim gritted his teeth lightly, tapping his left foot against the ground defiantly. The ground rumbled violently as suddenly, a hand of shadow would begin to rise from the ground, raising even from the shadow's painted on the Pollen Sucker's being, but failing to intervene with it's current actions. It seemed the O.G weren't as flawless as they believed they were. For the shadow the hand was raised from belonged to none other than Hilda.
The giant was massive, and because of this, she would undoubtedly cast a large shadow. However, what the O.G may have missed from the blinding wall was that it held a secondary purpose. The intense light, when cast upon Hilda's backside, would cause her already gargantuan shadow to stretch even further. And to top it all off, Kerrim was allowed to control the shadow via Adshe who, prior to attaching herself to Hilda, was imbued with a portion of shadow from Kerrim.
As the hand rose, it directly blocked Billie's path to the Pollen Sucker, yet it hadn't become tangible yet, allowing the sucker to pull Billie into it's clutches. Once close enough, the hand of shadow would become solid and grab Billie around his torso, forcing his blade down the side of his body.
Furthermore, it would squeeze tightly around the man's wrist, preventing him from moving it. And should he attempt to generate a massive amount of force to break free, Kerrim made the shadow potent enough to the point the kinetic energy would have no place to flee, flowing back into Billie and damaging himself in the process. The shadow gave off a soft purple hue as it continued to constrict Billie's frame. And Kerrim had no intent to stop it until Billie faded like the rest of his many selves.
A glint of red was born from Kerrim's position as he stared towards Billie, the silent fury was powerful. "I've got you all now, ceffo. Tell Bill that I'm coming for his head. You'll pay for what you did to Alexis."
The first one to notice the creeping O.G as he remained on the ship was Black. Though his Kenbunshoku had not being active, as their bobbles popped, their figures could be slightly sensed from the lower levels of the ship. Though he could not be completely certain, he acted solely upon instinct.
“Motherfucke-“
There was no movement, no “switch” he had to turn for them to activate as the clicking sound from their devices was heard. The deck of the ship suddenly rose upwards like a tidal wave, initiating from the back part of it. Several members screamed as they were propelled forward by the wave, and soon everyone on Black’s ship, including him was thrown forward towards the land with great strength.
At that same time, the ship exploded, and though some of the Cheeky suffered under the effects of its force and the flames that would follow, it also helped whoever had been affected by Black’s powers, causing them to fly even faster towards where their Captain’s battle stood. Black, specifically, felt his eardrums nearly break, and his body felt the very same “boom” of the explosion. Regardless, he still flew forwards with a smile, as if he had predicted this outcome.
“Comin’ in, Cap’n, guys, your god is here!” He laughed. The pollen’s strength, though weakened and stuffed by the O.G, with whatever abilities it still had sucked Osiris and a few others towards it. Noticing this, Sherman acted. His eyes noticed the flying Black, and though he didn’t know him, he still panicked as the man came. Directly towards him.
“Ahhh, what to do, what to do!” His eyes closed and Sherman’s arms shot forward, holding unto his cape. Other arms appeared from him and they to grabbed unto it. His eyes closed as Black came towards him, and soon, he felt the immense force of the pirate’s travel. He submerged himself unto Sherman’s cape, stretching it to its full potential, before the cape absorbed part of his force.
“A-are you ok?!”
“Of course, I’m fine!” Black responded as he took notice of the situation. “Shit’s gettin’ deep, huh? I knew I’d be needed.”
The explosion of the ships echoed loudly throughout the battlefield, and it was enough to reach Hilda, who was in a state of semi-inconsciousness thanks to the wave of Haoshoku de Kerrim, who was in a trance immersed in memories of his moments with Alexis due to the trauma of seeing her cruelly killed by Billie.
Waking up little by little, she was still confused, still not knowing if it was a dream or a reality, until she realized that Adshe was enveloping her like a tattoo, reliving what had happened little by little, she fell again and tears, struggling, pawning all her strength trying to get rid of the shadow, while screaming furiously.
"Release me Mr. Kerrim,let me get revenge of bastard who took Ale-Chan away from us, let me kill him!"
A Man's War, Fighting For Him[]
Amongst the other ship coming towards Roailing, Bryceen and Envy, along with the True Self, were preparing for battle. The two members of the Big Four had set up their tactics, several heat signatures being produced to give the allusion of a great number of Pirates. They could only wait, preparing for the worst, but hoping for the best.
Sounds. The ocean, the town of Roailing, even the sea breeze, they were all heard by the Pirates on that same ship.
However, ripping through those same sounds without an inch of resistance, through the atmosphere itself, pushing sea and air alike was some kind of... projectile darted towards their ship, waves surged off the bay they were to dock at. Its appearance was indistinguishable, though, it had some sort of green tint to it, and its shape seemed to be thin. Too long for a cannon-ball, too big for a pistol shot...
The many heat signatures faked by the Cheeky hadn't been discovered by whoever or whatever it was that was attacking them, no, the very fact that there seemed to be so many pirates in a single ship was the key. Indeed, because of that, a single shot aimed to pierce through the frontal hull of the Cheeky's ship, demolishing its very foundation, so that everyone aboard sank into the seas.
The sound of the incoming threat was perceived by all amongst the ship. A projectile whisking through the air, posing an immediate threat. It's presence was known, after all, it overpowered the sound of everything else around them. But only one individual intended to intercept the attack.
Bryceen vanished from her previous position. Soundly, she made her way to the edge of the ship. In flawless action, an uninterrupted flow of movement, Bryceen entered a squat, building just enough power to get the job done. With the time ripe, she extended her legs backwards, the force pushing the woman off of the Howling Serewimen.
Breaking through a thin layer of cold that surrounded the Howling Serewimen, courtesy of Envy, Bryceen left a spiral like print where she penetrated. Following her body, yet swirling by some unseen force was a trail of coldness, yet it dissipated the further Bryceen advanced. As she closed in with her objective, the woman failed to draw her blade.
The flow of the wind before Bryceen spun like a funnel. Once the unidentified subject made even the slightest of contact, it too would be caught in this flow. The movement would cause this subject, be it object or person, to adhere to it's rule enough to throw it's trajectory off, leading the force of the blow to be misfired.
Envy saw Bryceen take the initiative and immediately followed through. He wasn't the best at using Kenbunshoku Haki, but by observing the path of the wind that was made within the mist that covered the ship. Although almost dissipated, the small trails of air that were left had enough visibility to enable Envy to notice any changes within them.
The air before Bryceen spiraled anti-clockwise, and immediately Envy realized that she wanted to push the individual to the left, where the least people were concentrated on the ship. Taking on that advantage, Envy pushed his palm forward towards Bryceen's left. Immediately, a large fist, almost air-like in quality, pushed towards that direction. As it traveled swiftly, frost began to fall from the air.
Anticipating the movement of the enemy to where the fist was located, Envy spoke aloud, "Frostbite Style: Caged Fist!" In the instant that the projectile was sent towards the left, Envy would clench his fist, trapping their body in ice.
No questions.
Almost immediately, the projectile thrown at the envoy of the Cheeky Pirates spiralled due to Bryceen's intervention, becoming even more of a blurr as it did so. Despite its weight and velocity, it was completely dominated by the whirlwind, much like it hadn't even tried to oppose them at first, foolish indeed. By the time that Bryceen redirected it in whatever direction, its form was finally seen, that of an old man with relatively long grey hairs and a tribal look.
Before that information was properly proccessed, however, Envy's illustrious ice encased the man's figure almost completely, leaving open a few random spots such as knee or shoulder. A perfect follow-up to Bryceen's guard. Still, the ice was robust enough to withstand its fall on the deck of the crew, merely letting out a few sounds of its crackling.
Suddenly, the battle had went silent, only the sea was heard. Upon close inspection, those in the deck would notice that they had captured... "One-Eyed" Billie?!
"..." Envy saw the success of their guard and was puzzled. He didn't underestimate the abilities of Bryceen and himself, but did he overestimate the O.G Pirates?
"Bryceen, take a couple of steps back." Envy told the fellow Ace. He did the same. Clenching both of his arms into fists again, the floating fists that had been close to the frozen Billie had retreated back to Envy's side.
"There's something wrong here." Envy said, his vision was focused on Billie. Cracks had begun forming in the ice that surrounded him. But more importantly, he looked around to the sea once more. Were there additional reinforcements that he couldn't hear? But how?
"They wouldn't just let go of the momentum to attack us once again while we have our guards down..." As he peered over to Oji, the sea surrounding its shores seemed to be moving in waves. It clicked to Envy. He could feel the chill of the sea air, but there wasn't any sound coming.
"The sound the waves carry from islands has come to a halt..?" Envy wondered, looking towards Billie. "What does that have to do with this guy here...?" Envy's eyes and ears glistened red. The greater his clarity of vision and hearing, the faster he could react when the time came.
Bryceen landed with an inaudible thud, leaning her body backwards and pushing off to place some distance between herself and the frozen Billie. She glared at the man in the ice. So this was their attacker?
Even then, something didn't feel right. As Envy noticed through his acute senses, the flow of the surrounding area had been tampered with. Once more, her eyes were trained on Billie. Was this his doing?
Suddenly, one of the True Self, Kenzie, stepped up. "This change in the area, it's most definitely the work of Billie. He's able to cast illusions, although I'm not entirely sure how. Although if there's one thing I do know, sound isn't his only way of placing people into his mind games."
To say that the crewmembers of Mauricio Kerrim were less intelligent or even less capable than their captain was an act of sheer ignorance. For, a crew without its captain was still a crew. But, what about the O.G Pirates... whose sole existence was due to their captain...?
...
When Envy enhanced his sight with Haki and looked around, a large figure had been seen at the wharf, he wore distinctive clothes and was eerily similar to... Willahelm Bill? So it seemed, for this was Willie, another of the Quattro Temporali, though his bounty hadn't increased by a large margin, it had become 280,000,000. He bore no expression.
By the time that Envy had glanced at Willie, he should have been capable of seeing that Willie's left arm flickered three times, the sea around him gave way to a spherical wave seemingly due to the sheer pressure exerted by the velocity of that which he threw... through Kenbunshoku, one could feel three targets. It roughly looked to be a single brown object, but, rather, it were three cannonballs surrounded in green auras. They slightly parted the sea with their trajectory and aimed to hit the hull of the Cheeky's ship, taking advantage that most of them were distracted with the frozen Billie, and keen on sinking the ship in one go.
That same frozen "Billie" suddenly moved his eyes from within the ice and, somehow, managed a smirk. A shining green flash surged from his very being, making use of the way that the ice refracted the light and thus made it engulf the entire deck, along with its crew. Should the crew not only be blinded and distracted, but stunned by this light, surely they were to be more open to the oncoming cannon balls and whatever else Willie could throw at them.
The sea had indeed calmed earlier and, as artificial as it may have been, it was solely due to Willie's preparation on his throwing, an act so fierce that it quieted the world.
"Oi, they're going to send in reinforcements!" Envy proclaimed as the sight of Willie's flickering arm etched in his mind. What he saw and what was the complete truth was something that didn't matter right now. All he needed to do was brace for the second wave. The Billie that they saw right now was a distraction.
As the flicker of light began to shine greater, Envy braced himself. He used Busoshoku Haki to coat his fists of gaseous cold, increasing their opacity and enabling him to see directly in front of him even during the bright light. He pushed himself towards the helm of the ship, where Oji Island came into view and where he saw Willie.
He slammed both of the arms of cold air into the ground, as the ground beneath him began to freeze. He could no longer see with the bright light impeding his vision, but that didn't stop him.
"Frostbite Style: Twin Mountains!" Envy proclaimed loudly. The ice that was travelling across the ground began to rise wildly and without delay, creating two walls of ice that intersected at the top and became a singular structure. Soon the structure had become black like frostbite, imbued with Envy's strong Busoshoku Haki as he steadily breathed.
There was still difficulty in seeing, but Envy remembered what he saw clearly. Three flickers, three cannon balls, but four objects in total. Even if the cannon balls were the first wave, the second wave was already prepared for launch.
"This game of illusions...I need to end it as soon as I can!"
Bryceen's vision was claimed by the lights, causing the woman to grit her teeth and give a small yelp in pain. "Gah!" Nevertheless, she had her senses trained on the flow of the air in the area, something with allowed her to detect the actions done by Envy, alongside the frigid cold of his ice.
She performed a quick ballet twirl on her left heel, spinning to stand behind Envy's ice construct. The action was one so beautiful and elegant that the world just had to respond. The wind in the area twirled with her, performing a pseudo-pull of wind that drew everything on the deck of the Howling Serewimen to her. It was oddly powerful that Kenzie, the only of the True Self on the deck at the moment, couldn't even push against the wind for a second.
Several items flew towards her, but the only one Bryceen truly wanted was the block of ice or more accurately, the man within it. The flow of wind was unlike any other, it didn't have to fight for dominance. Everything joined the movement, enticed by the flowing breeze as was the power the Water Melody possessed.
As the ice containing Billie came towards Bryceen, she reached for her sword utilizing her left hand in one swift movement. She would bring it to the man's neck, failing to hesitate for a second. It would cut through the air in a swift movement for his throat. No, it didn't cut through the air. The air cut alongside the blade's movements. One couldn't even hear the swoosh of the wind, not because it wasn't moving with strength and ferocity, no it most certainly was. The issue was that all the wind moved together, leading to no resistance that could garner any noise.
Bryceen's sword indeed passed cleanly through the ice prison and, thus, Billie's neck, prompting him to gasp, even amidst all the blinding light, and without cutting the ship beneath her. Along with that, both her and Envy managed to keep their tabs on the oddities that could come through, given the strangeness of the opening attack. There were no doubts in regards to how seasoned and competent the Cheeky were, if the O.G were keeping their distance and opting for trick attacks...
Yes, for that very reason they couldn't hold back, they had to get them whenever possible. Upon Billie's neck being severed, the light vanished almost instantly, allowing every pirate to see the latter's head disperse into an erupting flash of green, quickly joined by the body in a similar fashion. An illusion? A construct? Had Billie not been defeated? Such an odd turn of events could prove to be yet another distraction for the present pirates.
Distraction? Envy had still been paying attention, therefore, when the cannon balls smashed against flatly against his ice shield there were to be no surprises, behind them came... a torn rope, torn and brown. Upon close inspection, the aura that surrounded the cannon balls was linked to one another.
They didn't explode, however, merely pressing into the shield and provoking myriads of shards to crack over its entirety, but still being pushed back by its sturdiness along the rope. No surprises... but then, another trio of projectiles crashed upon the upper side of the shield, delivering a similar effect as the first ones and falling back into the ocean after failing to pierce the immense shield. Envy's craft ability and sheer cold were certainly fierce, given that the projectiles hadn't explore and were more meant to pierce through.
Yet... No... Distraction? Through the swiftness of his movements, Willie had managed to feint a second trio of cannon balls by flickering his arm quickly, one would easily relate the number of flickers to the number of cannon balls. But, also, the first trio were accompanied by a torn rope... when Willie had first fired them, they were indeed together and tied by such rope, however, the velocity at which they traveled managed to tear it apart and separate the cannon balls. One hand throw had been responsible for a single trio, coming directly at the Cheeky Pirates, while the second one came from above in the trajectory of a parable, Willie had moved thrice... Only two of the trios hit the ship.
However, there were no projectiles in sight, not high into sky or coming directly at them, given that the first row of cannon balls shared the same aura, and there had been three total auras in their radar. From where the ice shield never reached to, the final trio of cannon balls swam viciously under the ocean's surface, their trajectory being the inversion of the second trio, thus, aimed at the bottom of their ship. The wave that Envy had thought to be made by the first trio of cannon balls was actually the final trio being thrown into the very water. Since the others hadn't exploded, these were just the same, and sought to destroy the keel of the ship, its very backbone, so that it would crumble completely and leave the Cheeky at the mercy of the sea.
Envy felt the crash of the first wave of cannonballs and realized something was amiss. For someone to be able to throw those cannonballs with such strength, how did they land at the same time and not possess the requisite impact to break through his ice further? Continuing to reinforce his structure of ice, Envy continued to regulate his breathing. The air within his body traveled through his eyes, and they were alight a bright red.
He looked forward and noticed behind the cannonballs, rope was falling into the ocean. Immediately, Envy's mind put together the pieces. "Then that wave on the sea was...!?" Envy screamed, "YOU MOTHERFUCKER...!" The others on the boat were probably distracted by the outcry, which was the momentary source of attention he needed. He continued to speak aloud, but rather than in anger, he gave everyone a warning. "Oi Cheeky Pirates! Put Busoshoku Haki in your feet! I'm going to freeze the ship!"
Before he could alert the others at what was going on, he could sense the shift in the air. Three cannonballs in the air, three on the ground. If he didn't act immediately, the ship would capsize. Even if he and Bryceen would survive, the Devil Fruit users would be in trouble. "Frostbite Style: Flash Freeze!" Envy's body suddenly began to turn entirely blue. The temperature in the air and his body was rapidly decreasing to ridiculous levels, and the cold air released in a massive gust throughout the whole ship. It took merely seconds, as all the exterior portions of the ship completely froze.
From a Pirate's ship to a ship out of eldritch fantasy, the Cheeky Pirates' ship had been reinforced with a layer of ice. But that was not all. Although Envy barely had the capacity to breathe, he had channeled his own Busoshoku Haki throughout the entirety of the ice, turning the structure from a beautiful blue to an ominous obsidian.
Although the move would successfully defend against any further projectile reinforcements, for at least one minute, Envy had to manage to keep his body completely still so that he could return warmth to the vitals of his body, lest his body – literally - shatters from the temperature he currently was.
With Envy's call, Bryceen and the True Self placed their Haki on the bottom of their shoes. When the sudden burst of ice came, everything around them became completely frozen shut. The cold mist that arose sent shivers down the spines of all of the True Self. They couldn't help but look at Envy, marveled at the sight. So this was the power of a Frostbite?
Bryceen however, rushed towards Envy. She now covered her hands in Haki, placing them upon Envy's figure as she trained her vision on the side the attack had came from. The True Self training their own senses on the other directions of the ship, leaving it completely covered in terms of attention. The cold was usually nothing to Bryceen, after all, the training of the Gogyo Shizora-ryu was a rigorous one. But even she couldn't help but shiver several times at the cold atmosphere. Nevertheless, she kept her hands upon Envy, cycling the heat into his body and cycling the cold out to hasten his recovery from this brittle state he currently rested in.
"I was expecting a bit more resistance, you don't think Captain and the others are caught up, do you?" Bryceen inquired, still cycling the heat within Envy.
With but two major members, the Cheeky Pirates proved themselves extremely formidable by reinforcing their defenses at the very last minute. The O.G Pirates themselves weren't entirely sure if they either underestimated or understood the Cheeky's power, at all. The ones they were facing at that port were considerably more organized than the ones at the other side of the island. A better term could be... consistent.
To think the body was capable of acting without the head. Not that... that thought never came into the O.G's psyche. Had it?
Willie tightened his grip on a bladed weapon, indistinguishable from so far away, smirking almost too wide. Similar tactics were often ineffective, specially in face of such mighty team, but, Willie didn't back down. Yet again, his arm moved with such ferocity that it seemed to disappear, bringing the weapon along with it and making it move just the same. Water roared out in the form of dual tides, giving way to a brilliant green shaped like a raging edge, the manifestation of a blade that spliced the very ocean.
Due to how the ship had been attacked beforehand, it was even easier for the O.G to aim at the Cheeky, therefore, Willie's swing held way less hesitation. Thus, no breaths later, the attack made up of air pressure and more was already prepared to meet the Cheeky ship head-on and cut it in half vertically. Of course, just like the Cheeky thought, it was not like they couldn't protect against it, they managed to shift their attention to an attack from underwater. Even if Willie's slash landed and cut the ice shield apart, the pressure would stop just there.
With assistance from Bryceen, thanks to the inactivity of her headless opponent, Envy managed to return his body's temperatures to normal. He could tell from a glance that all the Pirates on the ship were freezing to death from the ice that he produced, but unfortunately he couldn't let it dissipate that easily. Their biggest threat was still in front of them.
Standing up, Envy looked towards land where Willie once again moved his arm in a blur. It was strange. Even with his eyesight enhanced by Kenbunshoku Haki, Envy couldn't perceive the exact shape of the items in Willie's hand. His movements went beyond speed. There must have been some sort of ploy at work here.
If there was...there might have only been one way to break it. "Bryceen, I need you to negate that huge slash in front of us." Envy said seriously, as he placed his palms on the frozen ship again. "You might have to cover me for a while...because I think the only way we're going to get anywhere with these folks is by ramming our ship forward.
Without hesitation, Envy sent a pulse of his own spirit that traversed throughout the ship. Unlike traditional Haki used on the body, Envy made use of the Yurei's trademark breathing style. Continuous steady pulses of his spirit that traveled to and from Envy continuously enabled him to seize control over the entire ship without completely expending his spirit.
"Howling Serewimen, charge!" Without a Helmsman, without any propulsion, the ship began to move forward at a surprising pace. Although the slash that Willie sent out would reach faster, there was another purpose for this move. If Envy had correctly predicted Willie's intention, the slash that Willie made was not with a blade, but with something else. If something else was heading towards the ship's surface within the tremendous slash, then moving the ship forward suddenly would throw off its course and give the Cheeky Pirates an inherent advantage to capitalize on.
More than anything though, Envy looked forward, past the ship, and to the island they were to set on. He was tired of these games, and if he could get just one good blow against Willie, he'd be able to end this farce in a single strike.
He just hoped that his Captain was also faring well.
On Envy's call, Bryceen nodded. She once more launched herself into the air, glaring intently into the attack that Willie had launched at the team. The wind around her framing the woman's body as her hands slowly rose from her hips and extended out to her sides. The wind moved with her, continuing to shape every moment she made in the form of after-images, frame by frame.
Using her left hand almost as if her body's gravity centered around it, she rotated in a counter-clockwise fashion, and so too did the surrounding skies. As it did so, the slash bent with the air itself. No, it moved with Bryceen. The actions she performed were no feat of strength, but rather technique and control.
As the slash bent, it's trajectory would lead it's body into a curve around the ship's hull. The change wasn't sudden, in fact it seemed more like the slash leaned in to the flow of the air. Nevertheless, it seamlessly cut through the air next to the ship, rather than cutting through. Whether it have been from Bryceen's amazing control of the attack, or Willie's concentration of strength, the only evidence of the attack's power was contained to itself.
However, Envy's order was to negate, not to make it miss.
Bryceen was able to deduce the force of the strike due to how it flowed in with the remainder of everything within her control. As a result, she knew what it would take to counter the assault. Still using her left hand as the center of her gravity, she would flawlessly control her own body and rotate clockwise. Doing so caused the wind around her to move along with her bodily movements.
Instead of exercising this control on the attack Willie sent, she exercised it upon another gust of wind blowing inwards from the sea. Creating a wind slash from something so far from her would've been a struggle had not she already been extending her control sooner. The winds were an extension of herself as everything fell into her flow instead of moving individually. The only thing that conflicted this flow now, was Willie's slash, as even the Howling Serewimen was going in the same direction of Bryceen's flow; Inland.
Willie's attack would collide with the inland blowing wind's that Bryceen had claimed as her own. The clash would've been much more difficult had Bryceen not been slowly withering away at Willie's attack the moment she begun changing it's trajectory. Short, sweet, and simple, the collision ended soundly. The forces were equal, one failed to overcome the other, ending in a stalemate as all energy between the two forces ceased. The attack was now negated, as per Envy's wishes, leaving the charge of the ship in full swing.
The wind had caught on and fluttered the sails for the small boat that Joaquin Jackal and Itim Xie occupied, a duo that had met up and joined the Cheeky Pirates at the same time by sheer appropriability. But quite some time had gone by since that day, and they both remained for one reason or another.
The mink’s right hand holding a firm grasp around the tiller as the vessel's relatively small size made its way across the waves and on towards the war-torn island ahead of them. With the sun right behind their backs, Itim really didn’t have anything obscuring his line of vision, even casting a shadow over large parts of the boat itself, even with Jackal ahead of him. The monk stood at the front of their vessel, with his green attire fluttering somewhat in the wind as the one possession the man carried had been strung to a rope that swayed from side to side from his waist. He’d already taken the pleasure of sipping on the contents of his gourd, as potent as it was it, any common man would most likely be hanging with one hand over the gunwale. Yet, Jackal stood firm atop their vessel, even as his body suffered from the numbness that came with it -- the mind was certainly a mighty weapon even towards feeble matters.
With their sights set on the town of Roailing, some might say that their pending arrival was planned all along while others might’ve accused them of it. The cause didn’t matter however as they were approaching and such words could be made for better days.
At the distance between themselves and the island, one would be able to much of what it had to offer. Its desert landscape, forests, mountains and a beach. One whose appearance was gradually being changed at this very moment. Laying witness to the blue hue covering an all so familiar ship with his one good eye before it shifted to its jet black hue, Jackal was certain Itim saw it as well even whilst they hadn’t spoken to each since their departure from Foodvalten.
The question remained however... Would their arrival go by unnoticed or be met with resistance even at their distance?
“...We’re really getting into this mess huh? Can’t believe you pulled me into this.” Itim snarled at Jackal, obviously irritated by the monk before him.
"Scared pup?" The scarred man snapped back at him, the one good eye he still had wandered across the coastline. They were entering unknown territory after all, making it understandable that Jackal tried to stop the conversation right here and now.
Itim squinted his eyes at Jackal and sighed loudly through his nostrils, looking out onto the water as he steered the vessel. “Yes. I am scared. Scared that I might get my blade dirty again after having just polished it.”
Reinforcement in sight, the Cheeky having also neutralized the O.G's attack on this side, it seemed that none of them could hold back in their tactics then. Their, for the O.G were never truly alone during these situations, that new boat might not have been a reinforcement, it could be any other. Still, no further doubts were to be had, much of the scenery around the docks unveiled a random amount of objects, some of which Willie used to throw. Their options were decreasing in number fast, the Cheeky held on to the situation more tighter than ever, showcasing how much in synchrony they were.
The longer it went on, the stronger the Cheeky got.
However, when the attack was basically cancelled, something jumped from within it, having hid amidst the incredible amount of air pressure, only safe due to both forces nullifying one another. This something instantly took a humanoid form and held out one of their hands, it was clad in black and green to the point it looked like a claw. "FIRST SLASH!"
A swift five-fingered slashing motion occurred at them, projecting large five green attacks that sought on clawing out the defense and crew members, it even cut through the air instead of causing pressurized attacks. Before the Cheeky Ship stood... Willy?! First there was Billie, but now there was Willy, who was supposed to be underground at that very moment. His silver mane soaring along the ocean wind, almost spasming in presence of his own attack, its Haki coating was dense enough to shimmer the atmosphere around it.
Willy using tactics to attack, "Biruru." Willie not crying in face of such pressure, "Biruru." Billie swiftly taken out at the start... "Biruru!" For a crew focused on originality, neither of those Temporali seemed to be the very ones that the Cheeky Pirates met back then. Whilst Willy focused on that close combat, Willie gestured for the other, now visible, O.G members to gather more ammunition to be thrown, there was no worry about masking their attacks no more.
Two boats, two sides, two things to focus at, crybaby Willie merely looked on with a steel expression, this time holding up two cannon balls, one in each hand, with an intricate logo over their frames. Were the projectiles to lose their form again, it were only due to speed, not to anything else.
“SWITCH!!” The two newly arrived pirates yelled out in unison, Jackal and Xie turned to face on another; surprised at their timing as both of them must’ve spotted the commotion going on at shore from their position. After a moment of hesitation the two of them started to move from one side of the boat to the other, with the vessel and crew members swaying from side to side vigorously as they were being less timely with their footing and their respective differences in weight class.
“SWITCH AGAIN, LITTLE MAN.” The mink roared as he began stomping his way back to his original position where Jackal now stood.
“NO. DON’T SWITCH YOU FUCKING MUTT!” Jackal screamed as Xie came barging to his side.
Catching himself with one of the ropes that was tied to the top of the mast to the side, Xie halted his path as soon as he heard Jackal’s response. A sour, snarling face growled at Jackal as now Xie stood there clueless, looking back to the battlefield and then to the sea. His ears flicked from time to time with the chaos that was happening in the distance, and it was obvious that the mink was showing a feeling of nervousness for the first time in at least Jackal’s eye. But one final glare back to Jackal forced the mink to voice his thoughts.
“...So what are we doing?”
“YOU’RE FUCKING TELLING ME THAT AFTER SAYING SWITCH TOO!?!” Jackal yelled out as parts of his body began to change, orange fur with black spots began sprawling from his hands and feet, with similar things happening to his hair and his teeth becoming more prominently shaped to that of a feline -- covering his body like an aura. The monk lowered himself to all fours on the edge of the stern as he went on explaining.
“We’re getting closer, hold on to something.” Without further notice, Jackal grabbed hold of the bow with both hands before lifting his legs over the boat and stamped them into the water below. To the naked eye, it would’ve appeared like just a single movement but the monk was in fact kicking the water several times over before he, the boat and the mink was now being sent propelling across the open sea; flying above the waters one moment before slamming into it and have Jackal sending them off repeatedly. Making their journey a bumpy ride to say the very least as they came spiralling towards the beach and the O.G pirates hoarding over it.
In synchronisation, Xie leaped back to his position on the boat at the front and withdrew his whipped blade in its sealed form, holding it right before him as it flashed brightly with a black layer of Haki all over its body. The mink stared right at the beach, taking note of what they had to come, before bringing the blade diagonally across his body and slashing with great force across, the winds splitting in two as his blade travelled from the top to bottom.
“Heaven, shaking, CRESCENT.”
The winds formed a destructive crescent of wind that tore through the waters in front of him in the direction and way he slashed, rocketing towards the beach with all its destructive might. It’s speed was significantly faster than what Jackal was going as he pushed the boat along, ensuring that the monk would not cause Xie’s attack to backfire on them as they tried to reach for shore. The mink used the end of the technique to then enter a battle ready stance with a foot dragged behind him and his sword brought upwards with two hands on its handle, holding it horizontally with the tip facing outwards and the blade following along the mink’s face.
A Self's War[]
Deep within Oji, neither at Roailing nor Gloriain, were several more members of the O.G Pirates, both All-lands and No-lands, their hairs ranging from dark grey to light silver. Airginol was not necessarily the biggest of cities, but its many buildings surrounded a larger one at the center. Apart from it, the other houses possessed the same appearance, much like they were copy pasted over and over.
However, the sole large building did share some characteristics with the rest, just exaggerated to new proportions. Smoke came out of a chimney atop its roof.
The pavement was a light grey, spanning the entire area, lamps accompanied it, though turned off. While spherical, they had some sort of wide smile designed on them.
In and out of the houses, through the streets were these O.G Pirates, carrying whatever manner of objects there were. Weapons such as swords and guns, boxes with both ammunition and cannon balls. The smaller O.G moved together in order to safely lift the items, going off in many directions.
Among those, there was one pair whose box laid on the ground, something that the closest manager was quick to notice, "Man... really, les' just continue..." One of the pair said to the other O.G, who had pale skin and short, spiky hair.
"....Nah, I don't think so." the other replied. Though his traits were akin to the other selves, light grey hair, darkened eyes and relatively fair skin, he seemed bored. Moreso than that, he seemed dead, as if the life had been sucked out of this specific version of Bill. Though saying that would not be an understatement.
"Tell me...why are we doing this?"
"...What?" The other O.G stared dead into this one's eyes, this was Pilly, ranked among the All-lands just like his questioned partner. Pilly walked forward, a feet or two, to be by the other O.G's side, "Killie, ya' better tone yer voice down."
Some O.G continued on with their work, sparing a few looks at the two, but not for long. The supervisor that had been about to intercept and question Killie also went back to his job, seeing Pilly take charge of the situation.
A quick glance to the rest of the crew, their damned mental connection was strong, sure, but it was not like they could always hear and share thoughts, Pilly swallowed his saliva dry. "...Why're ye' havin' doubts huh?" He whispered to Killie, "Ya' know wha' happens if it seems we faulty right..?"
"What? We die? We were never alive in tha' first place." Killie replied abruptly. He wouldn't succumb to it. To work for Bill, to do as he said, and be supervised. Just what kind of life would that be? That's right. None.
"What are ye' scared off?"
Pilly's green eyes almost shot off his skull, his body jumping as he neared Killie more than ever, the others should not focus on them so much, they were starting to look again. Worse yet, if they began to share the sensations Killie had...
"Man, man..." Pilly moved to touch Killie's shoulder, something to further tie their minds, "Ya' a newbie... a first generation...?"
Killie's hand instinctively swatted Pilly's own rapidly, as he stood up from the box of crates he lied in. "What if I am?"
He seemed to look for something, rummaging beneath his coat and his surroundings. "If we're all him, you don't need to touch me to know what I'm thinkin' don't ya?"
The brief second of silence that Pilly showed pretty much settled the words Killie had just said, yet, at the same time, Killie had missed what exactly Pilly aimed for. Thus, he grind his teeth rows together, boy oh boy, this was going to set the day aside from the fight.
"...Pick tha' box," Pilly offered a gesture of his head toward the items, "Les' talk as we go...?"
"Alright. But bring tha' damn alcohol."
"A-Alright," Pilly almost sighed between his stuttering, moving away from Killie and nearing the box.
"Hoy," Another voice sounded to them, resembling both of theirs, but more childish. A few feet from them was a teenage-like boy of spiky hair and pale skin, just like them.
Pilly blinked, "P-Pillie," One of the other All-Lands, and the O.G correspondent to Pilly himself as well, "W-We just had-"
"Ya' guys stopped," Pillie smiled and closed his eyes, sprouting more of his facial traits, "And th' others felt tha'." Though smaller in stature than either, he kept a firm position. "Do I've ta' shift th' tasks y'two doin'?"
Killie stopped where he stood. He slowly settled the crate unto the floor. Filling his visage was a boy, his feature were not unlike Killie’s but more importantly, he was small. Very small. So small that Killie’s head tilted curiously, thoughts flooding him, and likely his other selves.
“I-is this…lost child supposed ta’ be our boss?”
He asked crouching down to Pillie’s level, his fingers caressing his chin curiously.
If before Pilly's eyes bloated out, now they sank back into his skull, quietly staring at the scene before him. He should have diverted his attention and merely carried the box himself, shit, the list of mistakes was long, but he did not need a new one.
However, Pilly's mouth moved before he noticed, "P-Pillie bro, everybody be nervous ya' know?!" He waved downwards with both hands, Pillie responded with a side glance. "Killie here-"
"I feel't from ye', Pilly bro," Pillie crossed his arms. "Killie, right," He looked at Killie, "Wassup' with ya', d'I need to inform tis...?"
"I-I really don't understand what ya' tryin' to say...." Killie neared his smaller self, his walk reminiscent to that of a crab as he squeezed his eyes and lips as tight as he could. His jaw chattered several times once he stood face to face with Pillie.
"Pilly, I think this one's retarded..."
"-Thas' it," Pillie blurted out, jolting Pilly awake from his quietness, he rose an arm and many other O.G looked their way. "Bros, I need aid 'n gettin' Killie to one of tha' battle fronts,"
Pilly hurried to stand in front of Pillie, "H-Hoy, no no, Killie's just not on th' best day-"
"Ya' can feel it too, nah?" Pillie questioned, Pilly blinked in silence. "How he feelin'... tis' better than sending 'im to be re-absorbed."
"Don't worry 'bout i-...Jesus fuck, I'm even talking like you people." Killie mentioned worriedly. His palm covered his face as he turned around beginning to walk away from Pillie.
"Anyways....errr. I thought ya'd never would've asked. I can go to the battle fronts myself, on one condition." Killie raised a single finger, as he stopped, his back facing Pillie before he eyed him. A confident smirk on his face.
"Pilly comes with me, and that's pilly with a y for you. If he doesn't, I'll resist. And ya know I can take more than a few of ya with me."
Killie's words, whether it was of his intention or not, rung through Airginol without further warning, reaching the depths of the town. Many pairs of green eyes found themselves fully drawn toward their direction this time, whereas beforehand they relied on their own ears to even know what was going on.
Some sort of illusion, perhaps best described as a momentary sensation, spanning the length of a whole thought travelling, engulfed the world in darkness. But, not true darkness, for peering through its endless landscape were green lights.
"Biruru!" Pillie's laugh pushed all of it away like it had never been there, his eyes closed and accompanied by a smile. "All good 'em," Two or three steps and he was on their arm's reach, digging something in his pocket, he tossed it at Killie, a Den Den Mushi. "Tis' guidin' y'all, sound good?"
Pilly quickly caught it, staring at it.
...
Fighting For Him, A Fool's Cause?[]
Envy's senses awoke rapidly as the collision of the air pressure and Bryceen's maneuver allowed the new O.G Pirate to appear out of almost thin air, forcing the Cheeky Pirates on-board to undergo defensive maneuvers.
"Everyone evade! Bryceen, deal with this!" Envy commanded with the loudest voice possible as his skin began to turn into an icy blue. He was freezing his own skin to begin the process of tanking the blow, but mere instances before it landed on his braced arms, he had managed to darken them with his Haki, strong enough to cause the slash to directly collide. It was pushing him back significantly, but he forced the slash to hold its shape.
"Make the slash transform into a sphere! I'll make sure he won't get out of here scott-free!" As Envy was holding onto the slash as best as he could, his eyes drifted to the sky, where an enormous shadow loomed.
"W-wait those are...!" Envy began to speak as the shadow landed onto the ocean. It was Jackal and Itim's ship. Out of nowhere those two showed up, but their timing couldn't have been any worse. "Oi you two dumbasses, get back...!" Envy struggled to say, as he continued to tank the slash as best as he could.
Bryceen gazed towards the attack being launched. She mourned the idea that she dealt with the previous slash in a poor manner. But in this case, she'd only look at it as a minor setback, one to easily overcome. She'd make up for where she failed with this new assault.
The outer edges of the slash launched by the O.G would begin to distort, it seemed to smooth out and begin to close in on itself, moving towards its center that had been colliding with Envy's frigid skin. With each second, not only did the slash become smaller and smoother, but it even began to take the form of a sphere.
"All set for ya', Icy-Hot. Give 'em hell!" Bryceen called out. Her gaze shifted to look towards Itim and Jackal. "True Self, be on standby to rescue those two." She ordered. There was no reaction from any of the three, so she'd only assume they were laying low for now.
"BIRURURU, NICE!!" Willy chirped in glee and showed his sharp teeth to the world, the synch of the Cheeky duo had not wavered any bit since the start of the fight, that was how they liked it. "Too bad tho'!!" Whilst singing, Willy beat off against the form of the ship with both his legs, effectively using it to propel himself high.
Thus, giving space and view to Willie, who had been holding two odd cannon balls, each arm got drawn backwards as a long smirk crept its way into his face. Envy had been too focused on intercepting Willy's slash that Willie completely went over his head, Bryceen managed to twart the attack, indeed, however this time there would come two.
Although Willie moved both hands, it could be too hard to discern if the two cannon balls were to be thrown, using the slash prematurely could spell the crumbling of their formation. After all, Willy was still afloat for a few moments, nearby and ready to intercept whatever it was they counter-attacked with, though he appeared to be sweating.
"It's over," Willie smiled, but then, his gaze dropped.
Rrrr... Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr- Zip!
The O.G blinked, "Huh." There came none of the cannon balls, for Willie found himself yanking his arms upwards and screaming, for he was falling into a chasm that suddenly appeared by the docks, one that opened both ground and wood, "UAAAAAAAAAAH!" Xie's flying slash landed upon him right after, just by his shoulder height, brightening everything over Willie's frame and finally exploding in a blast of dust.
"Th' hell?!" Willy's eyes popped out of his skull, finding something by one end of said chasm. A... fastener? "WILLIE!"
"Kaijo!" A voice was all it took for the chasm to close into itself, its two halves screaming in movement and wrapping around Willie's body, just below his chest. The press pushed the dust of Xie's attack away, revealing a Willie full of bruises over his upper body and with grit teeth.
Jumping from the areas of the town behind the O.G Assault Force was someone with black clothes, each step landing her feet upon each O.G's head. Once all of them were stepped over, the person slid against the wood of the docks.
"AH! Yer' tha' bitch!!" Willy landed by the side of the docks, still attempting to keep an eye on the two Cheeky ships, "We fuck' 'p, they corner'd us!" He grind his teeth, the arrival of this woman only contributed to how much these Cheeky Pirates were pressing them here, "Rena Alexis, the Sewing Dancer!!"
"Envy-dono, Bryceen-san!!" In fact, it was Rena Alexis that called out to her companions, attention still on the O.G, "I came to aid!" The same Rena Alexis that some of the Cheeky witnessed dying.
"Tch, I was too slow. These guys are way too strong when they work togeth-" Before Envy could even complete his thoughts as he saw Willie's cannonballs. They were a strange shape, but even more pressing than that was the figure that appeared to rescue them.
"Alexis! What the fuck are you doing here?!" Envy called out, he was relieved to find that she was in good health, but what did her being here imply for the Captain and the others? Were they okay?
"Tch, I don't have time for this!" The ships had finally reached the docks. This was a turning point in their strategy. The O.G were finally cornered in their own game, but something seemed off. Now that Envy had a moment to process through everything, things weren't lining up.
"Wait...Willie made a slash and Willy appeared within that slash? That...no!" Envy clenched his fist, as he froze the sphere of air pressure and smashed it into pieces. "Willie has been smiling and confident all this time, but according to Alexis and Fang he's a complete coward. This is completely unlike him..."
"This whole time...Willie had enough power to throw not only cannonballs, but if I'm right...whole O.G at us and we were kept completely in the dark..." Envy looked towards his crewmates, and the frozen O.G behind him. "That slash...it must have been to free the one inside there too..."
Envy cracked his knuckles. "Bryceen, you're coming down with me. The rest of you, fortify the ship's defense, guard the ice sculpture and keep an eye on us."
Envy leaped from the ship and stood up next to Alexis. Before he could open the ploy of the O.G, he had to tell Alexis, "If you're here...I can only hope the Captain and the others are alright." Envy looked towards his opponents. For the first time in this battle, sweat was dripping down his forehead.
"I don't know why or how you got here so early...but the game's up, Willahelm Bill!" Envy exclaimed boldly, even though fear was gripping him. As his eyes turned red and his breathing went steady, he could feel incredible power coming from the direction in front of him. Willy and whoever his other opponent's real identity was weren't joking around. He kept his Tannin Rei, otherwise known as Kenbunshoku Haki, active, breathing in and out to see through reinforcements.
"Alexis...your skills are far more valuable than mine here. Bryceen and I will take these two on, you support us when you find an opening. You can watch our backs, and I'll have the others on the ship watch yours."
"Envy-dono!" Alexis cried out, though struggling not to take her eyes off the O.G that stood nearby, one slip was enough. "I'm not sure what to say about the Captain," She made minor movements, trying to stand in some sort of fighting position, truth was told, a part of her urged her to stay behind and aid them more.
But, some feeling... some sort of sensation, like Alexis observed a puzzle and its missing pieces, none of which she managed to put in. A small bite on the inside of her mouth, she should not lose focus, not right now.
"After you!" Alexis reminded at Envy and Bryceen.
Bryceen gazed upon Alexis; why was she her? How did she get here? Bryceen wasn’t as much panicked and worried as she was curious on how the Amateur had managed to traverse through the O.G’s territory unharmed. She swiftly followed behind Envy. "I wouldn’t worry about the Captain too much, if Alexis got out of Gloriain then that has to be some good sign. Besides, if you’re right Icy-Hot, we’ve got a bigger fish to fry." Bryceen flared her teeth, seemingly acting as if she had fangs. She’d follow through with Envy’s plan, he was the Aces, the first front line of the Cheeky Pirates’ offensive front. And Deuces was an encore, equally effective, and always watching the back of the crew at large.
The True Self entered combative stances upon hearing Envy’s orders. Howzen covered the front, Kenzie behind him as Grendelle seemed somewhat idle to the side, her attention more on Xie and Jackal.
"Hey, glad you two made it in time to join the brawl!" Grendelle called.
"I’m not too pleased, out of everyone to choose from and we get the drunk." Kenzie exclaimed, remembering her small encounter with Jackal earlier.
Howzen raised a brow at Kenzie’s statement, almost as if confused. "By drunk do you mean one of those two or Magnus Envy?" He inquired.
Kenzie seemed to ignore the question, reverting her attention to the enemy before her.
"You two need a lift up?" Grendelle called out, jiggling her fishing rod in her hands.
The mink’s ears perked up at the sounds of his crew mates calling to both him and Jackal, even with the rushing waters splashing around the sides of their small rowboat. The severity of the situation had caught up with the mink, whose eyes widened at everything going on around them, and forcing the mink to retract his blade before lifting it up over his head once more. Looking back to Jackal and then back to the ship they were heading towards, Itim ignored everything that his crew mates were saying to him as none of their words processed through the mink’s mind. At the great speed that they were going at, Itim took a deep, nervous breath in and out, like a bull who was ready to charge, before swinging his arm and thus the sword forward, directly to the side of the large vessel of which the other members of the crew were standing on. Itim’s sword unhinged from its locks, each section of the blade unfastening from the one below to reveal the chain held within all in mid air, a loud sharp schwing sound echoing around the area only to be followed by the loud sound of a thud in the side of the ship. Itim’s fanged mouth smirked upon seeing him hit his mark, and prompted the large mink to ultimately tug and pull at the handle of the sword to pull off what he needed it to do.
Jackal, whose ears had not picked up anything up until this point as the sound of splashing waves had become the only thing echoing inside them, had his eyes turned wide by the actions of his fellow crew mate. The monk kept kicking his feet against the ocean beneath him, even as his eyes followed the chain that was now lodged into the starboard side of the much larger boat. Nothing of the mad hound’s actions made sense.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?! WE CAN’T STOP NOW!" The scarred man called out to the mink in the midst of all the commotion surrounding them at this point.
Letting a loud gruff at Jackal, Itim looked back for only a moment at his monk friend before returning it to the ship in front of them. "WHO SAID WE’RE STOPPING, LITTLE MAN?"
The tip of the sword had impaled the side of the ship at a diagonal manner, a feat just precise and strong enough to allow Itim the ability to begin lifting the rowboat currently manned by both the mink and Jackal. The small vessel would soon quiet of loud, rushing and splashing waves, where only creaking and loud winds could be heard replacing the sounds of water as Itim lifted the rowboat into the air. The chain within his blade would snap straight with loud clinks of metal, and Itim could be heard grunting as his arms flexed to propel the boat upwards and sideways with the momentum that had been built by the boat’s increased speed by the two of the earlier.
Without having much to say on the matter, Jackal gritted his teeth to point that a crackle sound escaped in between those ivories. The aura that had up until this point been coating him in the animalistic features dissipated, fading away as if they’d never been there in the first place while the man himself frantically made his back towards the boat, grabbing onto whatever support his hands could manage to latch onto. The monk was finding himself lying with half his body onto the tiller as the other was left dangling on the side of the small boat as they took off.
It was thus that the two members of the Cheeky Pirates found themselves being propelled across the air, one hanging on by a thread while the other steered the boat with all his might. Like being tied by the end of a rope, the chain kept the two boats connected as it lifted them into the skies and began moving in a crescent pathway, ever upwards as it did. With the combined momentum and strength to keep the boat in check, the boat moved from one side of the much larger vessel, towards the front, passed the stern and was quickly approaching the other side. "HUAAAAAAAGGGHHHHH!!!!!!" As if their approach wasn’t eye-catching enough, the sound of two grown men screaming out from the top of their lungs in unison, filling the atmosphere as Itim stared back at the monk for a moment, finding that Jackal was still being able to hold on. Almost as if on queue, the two pirates gaze switched to that of the crew that they were so gracefully circling, both of them realizing that they had to act if they didn’t want to find themselves as two blood red specks at the side of the Cheeky Pirates’ ship.
Timing with the rowboat’s path around the ship, Itim flicked the chain back and unlocked its grip from the side of the boat, only to flick it once more in similar fashion to before in order to fling and grapple the deck of the boat with his blade. The blade extended and hit in swift timing, the same thud noise landing just near the crew mates on board which perked Itim’s ears up once more. With the sound of success, Itim yanked himself forward towards the point that his blade had met the ship, and pulled himself off of the flying rowboat destined to break into millions of splinters elsewhere. While he could have had the chance to signal to Jackal to grab onto him so that both of them would arrive in the same fashion, the thought had obviously slipped Itim’s mind, as the mink paid no attention to the monk just on the other end of the small, flying vessel.
Suddenly finding himself being left alone on the doomed vessel that had brought them here, Jackal’s eye couldn’t possibly turn any wider, mouth gaping in unison but obviously being too shocked to even usher anything, as he witnessed the mink making his way on towards the larger boat. They were on bad terms, sure, but this was a whole other level of cruel. Gritting his teeth as the monk kept flying off further and further away from the others, Jackal opened his hands to let go of the boat before stomping his legs into the open air surrounding him… then another… and another. Somehow, the monk was maneuvering across the skies with one step at the time, the world around him spinning as he wasn’t even sure if he "walking" upright or from another direction entirely. Using the momentum at hand, Jackal found himself being lounged across the air and towards the boat before he was no longer able to hold his balance. Head spinning, the world around him shaking even more so, the monk’s arms reached out to grab onto anything at this point. He was in luck. Jackal’s hands found themselves latching onto what felt a sturdy but furry framework, not realizing until moments later that he was grabbing onto the back of the same mink that had left him moments earlier.
"Y-oOU FHHYWHACCKKING LEFT MEEEH!!" Jackal screamed out and into the sensitive ears of the mink, being all too delirious from the wild ride.
"EH. GET OFF ME." Itim screamed as he momentarily let go of the handle of his blade.
Twisting and turning mid air, Itim tried to reach for the monk that grabbed onto his back, causing the two to rocket through the air and towards the deck. His furry arms tried ever so hard to reach over his shoulders, but the monk’s size seemed just small enough to evade the gauntlets that tried to grab him so. All that the Cheeky Pirate crew members could see was the two spinning through the air as a blur of orange and black passed over their heads to wherever fate decided to be their landing spot.
"BIRURURUUUUUUUU!!!" The one that had initially fallen in the chasm, which even got tighter as the remainder of the Cheeky Pirates landed, "Y'ALL PRETTY ROWDY, EH?!" Tremors, dust began to erupt steadily from the town's ground, Willy and Alexis grit their teeth as their figures shuddered, rumbling reached everyone's ears.
More and more Cheeky had come, therefore, this was but a reminder that things had to get serious.
Willie, previously caged by what essentially was a portion of the island, breathed in heavily through his nostrils... then, the chasm burst even more apart, sending large chunks of earth behind him and forward. Alexis jumped backwards while using her arms to shield herself, Willy doing something similar but in the opposite direction. Accompanying this was a much bigger tremor than before, making the waters of the port rise slightly just like the dust around the town did.
"Ya'," Willie, Bill? Whoever, he pointed one finger past everybody in the Cheeky Pirates, "Ya' got tha' sharp eye t'call me that, BIRURURU!" At Frostbite Envy, his hands held the cannon balls tightly, eyes closed as he laughed like there was no end. "BIIIIIIIIRURURURURURURU!!!"
Willy spat to the side, a good distance behind the supposed Willie. "Willie, we fuckin' surrounded, drop tha' humor 'f yers!!" Of all times for them to get into play-mood, these Cheeky Pirates... Willy blinked at the four cannon balls still by Willie's hands, "Huh..." Something coursed through his body and mind, prompting his eyes to fall over Willie himself.
Any wind fluttering against the leaves, any waves raging back and forth to the port, any quaking of the earth... Paused.
"Ya said Bill..." Willie's smile stretched so much all his teeth appeared, eyes closed, and held his arms up. "Yer right... In a sense." Those hands, the cannon balls were no longer there, even though there had been no visible motion, no explosion or flickering to signal the might exerted. Instead, they were not anywhere in field of vision... to the standard eye.
Unlike their original forms, the cannon balls flickered in and out of existence, their shapes thinned out due to the sheer violence with which they travelled. Not so different than earlier, when the Cheeky were being attacked at the sea. Only then had the air imploded in a spherical manner, giving way to the cannon attacks.
Alexis' eyes almost shot off her skull, perhaps the chasm being broken did help her, if she were any closer, she would have been hit instantly. Though, this gave just a single moment of reaction, "If I zip it!!!"
But then...
Alexis' vision was swallowed by brightness, "...Eh?"
The cannon balls were no more.
When the air was ripped apart, it instead revealed far many colors than their original black. Red, orange, yellow, the moment that the cannon balls lost their forms was apparently skipped, the friction of the air demolishing them, making the subsequent explosions roar out moments after they attacked, sound failing to catch up. In fact, the explosions appeared like four torpedoes sought on engulfing all the present Cheeky with a precise and direct hit, forming some kind of offensive wall.
"That's...!" Even Envy's breathing could barely catch it. The Tannin Rei was significantly more regulated compared to average Kenbunshoku Haki technique. By incorporation of regulated breathing into the mechanism, Envy's ability to predict attacks was a lot greater than the average Haki user. However, this move that Willie, or Bill, performed was even beyond his breathing abilities.
Envy couldn't step back, however. He was the only one here who could handle an attack on this scale. Though even he couldn't stop it completely. He stood in front of Alexis and Bryceen, forcing all the torpedoes to converge into his location, while sending out an incredibly potent breath. The air in front of Envy chilled, and the ground beneath him began to freeze. "Tiger Claw Form: Crushing Frost Vice Grip!"
The wall of wind, debris and sheer pressure overwhelmed the Cheeky Pirates, but Envy stood directly in its path, unshaken. Both of his frost-created hands followed the motions of his real hands. His right palm was above his left, in the form of a claw-like grip. At the instant that the torpedoes would converge to Envy's location, his eyes widened and he made his move. "AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!!" He exclaimed at the top of his breath, releasing a surge of ice so strong that it actively slowed down the torpedoes because of the matter in the air briefly freezing.
In that brief window of time Envy had created for himself, he crushed both of his hands together tightly, with the larger frost palms doing the same towards the torpedoes that sought to break the Cheeky Pirates. The torpedo continued its briefly halted path, and one of them squarely made an impact towards Envy's abdomen, but the others were crushed under the weight of Envy's frost. The cold air traveled through all of the torpedos and the offensive wall created behind them, crushing Willie and Willy's plan, but leaving Envy significantly injured int he process.
The torpedo that struck Envy pushed him back significantly, forcing Envy to freeze the air behind himself and create a wall of ice to land on. At the point of impact, Envy coughed up blood from the direct attack to his abdomen. There wasn't just force behind this strike, there was momentum, and a metric ton of it. Another hit like that and Envy would be done for. He looked around to his comrades, who he managed to save this time.
"I can't...let them...get hit..." Envy thought, staggering, as he stood back up. He was panting, barely able to stand on both legs, as he continued to regulate his breathing once more.
"Then what are you..." Envy asked Willie, looking at him directly in the eye. "Some kinda mish-mash..." Envy had to breathe, "Bill put himself into..." Another breath, "Cause we looked like entertainment?!"
Willie's lips arched to the top of his cheeks, he only burst into laughter upon seeing through the smoke, dispersed by Envy's ice. "Looked?! Nah, nah, nah- BIRURURURURURU!!!" Claps, his palms clashed several times, not different from Envy's struggle at stopping the attacks.
Though the first thought was to jump in, "Env-" Alexis shielded her body once the blast of hot and cold air, each fighting one another for dominance, collided against her. The scenery was no different, though it did not resist like she had.
"NAHHHHH," Willie looked upon all of the Cheeky Pirates with a final roar, eyes widening as much as his mouth, their veins visible, "Y'all don' look it."
Alexis slid against the dock's wood, quickly standing by Envy's side, she only gave a side glance, rather an attempt at one, towards the Cheeky Pirates behind them.
Teeth grit, Willy eyed past his own similar, the docks, and even the Cheeky Pirates. What only remained was the ocean, where the ice spread to, he slanted his eyes. "The others will..." That ice, that very ice sent sensations through his body, through their bodies, despite not being that close anymore.
A shiver from Willie, which Willy felt and saw, a bead of sweat rolled down the latter's face. Images flashed while he mustered a smile, "That ice." A woman clad in blue and white, bringing forth a most silent death, much fitting for a Yurei...
"Y'all..." Willie licked his lips and showcased all of his teeth, hot, cold, either blasts of air appeared to quiet down to give him space, "ARE entahtaiment!!!" Laughter all around, even from the places that looked abandoned, erupted and filled everybody's ears.
BIRURURURURURURURURURURURURURURURURURURU.
Were it the ice or the laughter, Alexis did not bother why she shuddered, her eyes slowly widening. She bit the inside of her lips, her head itching to turn and yell at the other Cheeky.
Crushing through the sound of laughter was Willie's hand, only one finger pointing onward, not at the True Selves, not at Bryceen, not at the newcomers.
Onward at Envy himself. "YER! BIRURU-" Willie's lips hunched in a pout, his head arched backwards as he tried to contain his laughing, "BIRURU- I'as 'ere like, BIRURU- where tha' hell've I seen this ice?! BIRURURU!!" The images invading Willy's mind leaked into Willie's. "Could'ja help meh remember?! BIRURURURU!"
"My...ice...?" Envy was breathing heavily. There was only one person in this world whose ice was remotely similar to his own. Memories triggered in his mind. A woman clad in blue and white, her sword freezing everything in its path. Her hand was outstretched towards Envy in her last moments, and as she took her last breath, her body completely froze.
The ultimate fate of the Yurei who extended their power beyond their limits.
"...YOU...!!!!!!" Envy's rage exploded. The air around him turned colder rather than warmer! It was the signature characteristic of the Yurei and why they had to mediate their emotions so carefully. Processes that heated up a natural human's body, made a Yurei's body even colder. Envy's temperature was rapidly decreasing, but his rage was rapidly increasing.
"WHAT DID YOU DO WITH HER?!" Envy's shouts encompassed the entire half of the island. Perhaps even those on the other side would feel the cold air blasting from his being and radiating outwards. From Envy, it felt like a blizzard had formed from the sheer rage he felt. "VANITY...!!!" Envy couldn't help but continue shouting. To Envy, his world had come crashing down. His entire life as a Pirate was dedicated towards this single moment.
"I DON'T CARE ANYMORE!!!!" Envy screamed, his rage pointed right at the man who looked like Willahelm Bill. "IT DOESN'T MATTER WHO YOU ARE! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU! EVEN IF I DIE! I'LL FREEZE AND BREAK HERE, BUT I'M NOT LETTING YOU AWAY, WILLAHELM BILL!!!!!"
The blizzard he summoned forth with his rage began to draw inwardly. Envy's breaths were rapid, but deep. With every breath he inhaled, he drew the blizzard inwards. With every exhale, he rotated it around his body. This process was rapidly continued until the enormous influx of cold air had completely surrounded Envy's hands and his neck. These were vortexes of extremely cold air that was freezing even Envy's own skin as they continued to spiral faster, and faster.
Envy ignored his pain, his injuries, in this brief moment of rage, and leaped as powerfully as he could towards Willie's position. In his dash, he had been holding his breath. At the very last moment, when he needed to breathe, he had finally reached close enough to Willie's position.
He exhaled at a tremendous volume, releasing the enormous quantity of compressed air rotating in a sphere around his throat. The air moved forward like a dragon's roar, intending to smother both Willie and Willy completely while freezing them in place. It only needed to last a moment. That's all Envy wanted.
"ULTIMATE TECHNIQUE!" Envy screamed, as the hyper-rotating claws of cold air around his were raised into the air, pointed both towards Willie, "HEART DEVOURER!!!!!!" His screams echoed as the claws converged together. At every inch that they moved, the air around the targets continued to freeze. It felt like time was slowing down as the claws inched closer, and closer...
Envy had hoped to freeze both sides of Willie's body, crush through his skin, bones, blood and organs, and crush his heart with both of his hands.
He was ready to get himself killed, as long as he could accomplish this.
"Vanity..." Envy thought one last time, "I'm...sorry..."
Alexis rushed onwards at Envy, expression wholly wide, but, she quickly flinched once the overwhelming cold brushed her body. Instead, she shielded herself and almost instictively urging her to jump the opposite way, away from her crew mate.
Willie's eyes widened at the brusque reaction and determination appearing through Envy. Those words felt incomplete to describe him... This whole thick sensation and boiling emotions that completely contradicted the cold of Envy's body. "UAHHHHHH!" For the first time then, Willie cried out akin to his previous behavior.
For the first time then, Willie did not try to block or evade or even counter the attack on the spot. Gigantic hands ready to squeeze the life out of him, better, to freeze and shatter it.
Almost like a part of nature claiming him back as its own, Envy did not have any Devil Fruit, as far as the O.G knew. However, more than anyone... This guy... Everything was clearer now, the similarities between him and that woman, at first, they talked for the sake of it, seeing those pirates get riled up. Just like when they made them think their crew mate was killed before their eyes.
But then...
They had to take care of this guy then and there. Before Envy would be able to harness as much power as she could.
This same instinct, urging for it, acted in accordance to Willie crying like a baby. Green lights flashed from the sides of his body, which was moments from being grappled by the chill of the underworld.
Alone, the gigantic hands sent shivers and chills through the O.G and the very land they all walked on. If Willie spoke, he would certainly stutter. "WAAAAAAAAAAAH!" Perhaps for the first time, Willie let out cries from his mouth. Still, more than the misty sensation crept into their bodies. But that was why Willie, rather, the O.G could not let that be.
Green flushed from the sides of Willie's body, quickly clashing with the frosty blue of the Frostbite, of Envy himself. Said color surrounded... several body parts of varying size, budging muscles, thin arms, hands, feet, pressed against the claws from each side. Blizzard sapped into them without an inch of hesitation, flesh that trembled in reaction could only halt in Envy's presence, steadily acquiring cracks. Frost exploded forth to the street and colored much of the scenery, white and its variations, reaching Willie's very body, though not completely.
"GAAAAAAAAAH!" Several, even if the same, shouts reverberated around Roailing, coming off from the flashing green. After all, each and every single one of them were separate Selves, previously contained into one, Willie. Willie, who, before the claws smashed him, jumped backwards and on Willy, pushing him as well.
One of the selves continued to scream, "W-Willie-san..." Crack, the claws instantly crushed the rest of them, making white limbs fall and break into even more pieces once colliding with the ground.
"Brrrr," Willy stammered while avoiding Willie, who was now holding his palms against his face. Willy narrowed his eyes at the cold layer over part of his front side, "W-Wha' th'fuck was..." His gaze, too, trembled upon fully observing the results of Envy's attack... it would have shattered him completely...
Rather than attack, two of the strongest O.G Pirates remained frozen in face of a gelid roar.
"E-Envy!!" Without caring for honorifics, Alexis gave another attempt at reaching him, "This may be our chance!"
Envy looked at his opponents. Even though Alexis' voice tried to pierce through, Envy's body was freezing to such a degree that he could barely hear anything around him. His body's functions were retreating to protect his vital functions. As he looked at his own body cracking into pieces, he was suddenly reminded of Vanity on her deathbed.
Her body was shirking, cracking away. Slowly, and slowly. Every breath she took was getting more perilous. But without fail, she continued, till her last breath, expressing her pride...for her life as a Pirate.
Envy looked towards the O.G Pirates, and stumbled as he tried walking. He breathed calmly. He mustered as much Rei as he could muster to keep his body in a stable temperature, though it was wilting quickly.
"Oi." Envy spoke crassly. He grabbed the attention of the entirety of Roailing just by speaking.
"I...get it..." Envy began to speak, shivering. "M-my sister...she would have done...even more than that..." Envy's teeth were jittering, but he kept going, "R-right?? T-that's...why...you targeted...me..."
Envy stood upwards, even if he was barely able to. He had to be proud and confident as he said this. "I...can't use...any more ice...." Envy began to speak, "T-take me...b-but please...l-leave them alone..."
Envy kneeled onto the ground. His bone could be heard cracking. "Tch...see...y-you...can watch me freeze...as revenge..."
Envy couldn't believe the words he spoke. Envy had run away from the life of being a hostage. A life caged by the inability to express one's true emotions. It was why he took up alcoholism in the first place.
The Frostbite Family were nobility among Yurei. They held prestige for their ability to masterfully control their own emotions. It was said that this skill granted them an even colder ice than most Yurei. Vanity and Envy were the scions of the current generation. They were to preside over the sins of pride and jealousy. They would reprimand other Yurei for their emotions and bring them to the current course of action.
But...they couldn't do it. The first glimpse at a Pirate's freedom captivated them. They left, never to look back.
To think, after all those years...they would both go the same way that the Yurei feared most: freezing to death.
Wind blew, water moved, an entire moment was completely filled with silence. Regardless, Envy's declarations went into everybody's ears.
And the first thing to follow it was...
"BIRURURURURURURURURURURURU!!!"
Holding in any grunt from having the skin of her palms starting to freeze, Alexis summoned her Busoshoku Haki onto her hands.
No tremors, no ear bleeds, but the O.G laughter echoed far over the island and the ocean. However, neither Willie's or Willy's mouths were wide in accordance to it, while the other crew members were frozen to death. Green blinked another time, possibly the brightest by then, more than when several Selves left Willie.
"Revenge?" A tanned hand, "Ya' got it wron'," Feet, legs, arms appeared from Willie's chest, then, a grin. "But I ain't blame ya'," The figure jumped off and landed a few feet ahead of the Temporali, though still distant from Envy and Alexis.
Alexis bit her lips and focused haki more on her hands, trying to check over Envy whilst still leaving her guard open against the O.G Pirates. "W-What are you saying...?" The cold crept through even so, but she continued, eyes shuddering at the visage before her.
Willy blinked several times, a bead of sweat rolled down his face. "Y-Yer are- Still with us, th'fuck?!"
"Ya' bet I'm," the figure took a step towards Envy and Alexis. A tall man, he worn a grey suit, sunglasses, and had grey hair reaching his shoulders. Another step, he walked without steadiness.
Behind them, Willie stammered, face still covered, "S-S-S- Segundo... W-Willie."
Willie, second of his name, a pirate and self thought to be dead. Once valued at 612,000,000, once the leader of the Quattro Temporali, and once Bill's right hand man.
"Biruru..." Willy facepalmed, smiling, "Billie's gon' have ey seizure..."
"...." Alexis clung to Envy, thinking of myriads of whispers and words to tell him, without any coming out. Any but her shivers.
Walking straight ahead, Willie only said, "Now, offspring," He eyed Alexis with green eyes behind dark glasses, his grin widened, "Hand 'im over, th' tough one."
"Oi oi oi oi OI MAN WHAT THE FHWACK?!" Calling out from the edge of the bannister on top of the ship, with one his hands pointing out towards the island whilst the other was holding onto his gourd, Jackal's eye darting back and forth between that of Envy, the rest of their crew and on towards Willie as everything was going down.
"Keep it down little man."
Turning around to spot the towering figure that had been standing behind the monk, with his arms folded across his chest stood that of Itim, his mane being somewhat ruffled when compared to his normal appearance. Understandable though given their arrival mere moments ago.
"What? NO!?" Raising his gourd up to his mouth as he replied back before taking one good, hefty swig at it — only to slam it onto the bannister next to them and taking a light jab at the mink: "That's the Big Boss Man yeah!? Then what the fuck are we standing around here for? LET'S JUST END IT RIGHT HERE AND NOW ALREADY!!" Finishing his words by turning the other and suddenly jogging off to the other side of the ship.
"Touch me again and I'll cut that hand off." Having taken the hit without budging, instead having reached for the hilt of his blade as Itim snarled back from underneath his breath. The fur on the mink's body would gradually be turning jet black, his crimson eyes following the monk as he continued. "This a waste of time."
"Yeah well if that's the case..-" Jackal called back to him as he leaned down to pick up one of the remaining canon balls still on deck, the skin across his arms emitting an aura resembling that of scales before spreading across the rest of his body,- "..then make yourself useful pup!" Speeding up his steps as Jackal was making his way back towards Itim, looking straight at the mink whilst arching his right arm back with the canon ball in hand.
"Don't tell me what to do." Itim snapped back at him as he drew his whipped blade, having returned into its sealed form much like when he had arrived. Every second spent here had been of no benefit to him, no loot or anything to scavenge whatsoever, and the blame was all on Jackal for having convinced him to come here in the first place. A sour, growling tone escaped his canine teeth as he suddenly motioned to swing his sword.
On the same mark the two fighters lashed out. Whilst at first it would very well appear like the two pirates were about to start a fight amongst one another, that couldn't have been further from the truth as evident by their frighteningly, synchronized actions.
As Jackal lashed out with his right arm with his entire body following along its entire swing, Itim would be stepping aside and turn his body just in time to not get hit by the incoming shell whilst bringing the blade diagonally upwards and across his body as it slashed out towards the island. Be out of impatience, raw confidence or a lust for battle, the pirate duo now had their own two projectiles out into the open and aimed right towards their target.
Unluckily for Jackal & Itim, yet luckily for everyone else present, Grendelle's eyes had been on the duo ever since they arrived on the scene. After all they hadn't responded to her offer, and more so, they started spiraling out of control right before her eyes. And naturally, she wanted to see how their trip would end. "Aye!" She shouted, wielding her fishing rod like a weapon. The sound of her shout alerted both Howzen and Kenzie which was a blessing to be counted, for even Grendelle couldn't handle this dual attack by her lonesome.
Grendelle swung her fishing rod out with a horizontal slash, however it was ever so slightly angled downwards. The hook of the fishing rod swiped forward to meet Jackal's launched cannon ball. The hook would come in from the left as Grendelle swung to the right. As the fishing hook was expected to lightly tap the ball, it instead phased through. Grabbing the cannon ball in the middle, it continued it's path and tugged the ball with it's movements. The reinforced string and hook alongside Grendelle's immense strength made this an incredible feat to bare witness to. As the fishing rod continued to flight out to the side, it would once again phase through the cannon ball. However the momentum of the ball continued, and through it's guidance from Grendelle's fishing rod, flew out into the ocean's embrace.
Howzen seemed to be the second to react, despite being the last to actually take note of the situation. Like Grendelle, and most definitely Kenzie, he realized the threat this attack could pose to Envy's plan. And despite how reckless of an attack it seemed, it was the group's best chance at escaping. Howzen ran towards Itim's sword slash, his hand seemed to drench itself in a black energy. As the attack came, Howzen wrapped his hands around the sharp edges of the attack. It's force continued to carry him back, fragments of floor boards being scattered about. The slash grew stiff and more tangible as Howzen's 'Kyodo' flowed into it. Holding the attack with a firmer grip, he firmly planted his left foot in the wood. The force carried his body into a spin, the slash coming along with him. As he faced the open waters that traced the shores of the island, he released the attack. Itim's slash soared out into the ocean.
"As your superior, I'm ordering both of you to stand down! Do not intervene in Magus Envy's battle!" Howzen ordered. His voice carried over the entirety of the ship, his 'Kyodo' still flowing outwards. He quickly ran up to stand side by side with Grendelle, asserting himself as a wall between the duo and Envy.
Kenzie walked up slowly, yet still keeping a distance between herself and her two partners. After all, compared to them she wasn't much of a fighter to be reckoned with. Especially against people like Itim & Jackal. "Envy's making a sacrifice. I understand you may feel compelled to assist, but all you'll do is interrupt his focus. And besides, ice that frigid, none of us would be able to survive standing in it for too long. The most reasonable option is to wait it out. If, and only if Envy goes down, Bryceen will surely retrieve him."
Fighting For Me[]
Trying not to jump in place or even lose bits of her balance, Alexis glared back into the true Willie's eyes. Contrastingly, her mind focused on Envy, "Envy-dono used too much ice." Her frown deepened and she moved slightly to block Envy's view from Willie. "If we get away we need a distraction..." Utilizing Kenbunshoku to survey the area could be no good, all of Alexis' attention was to remain on her enemies- On their enemies.
Should the other Cheeky back her up, the situation might not change, Envy was just too wounded and restricted by that time. Even getting him and running away could give unwarranted effects.
What could Alexis do? How would she save Envy?
"Hoy," Willie chipped, halting a fair distance from the two, "I ain't ask it."
"I told you...Alexis..." Envy breathed slowly. "L-let...go..." It was all Envy could muster. He couldn't bear seeing one of his friends frozen because of his own weakness.
"Y-you're...dragging...me down..."
Whether it was the cold or not, Alexis felt her nostrils fail to pull in a breath. The inwards of her eyebrows curved up to match the gaze directed at Envy, while she bit the insides of her mouth.
No oxygen in, no words out.
Dragging down.
Alexis' body tried its best to not shiver either, but it did take a small distance away from Envy. Slowly, small, yet still there.
Willy held a laughter and hissed, "Sheeesh!" He looked straight at their opponents. "Ya' really fine 'ith helpin', girly?!" No way, it came out any way. "I'd be leavin' after tha', BIRURURURU!"
Alexis bit her lips harder, failing to direct her gaze at them. Willie grinned and finally stood in reaching distance for Envy, "Willy said't best." With his taller and larger frame, he moved in to yank Envy off the ground with a single hand.
"...Shut up..." Envy told the two O.G Pirates, staring them down. "Whatever...I say...to her...doesn't matter...to you..." Envy couldn't even clench his fist, but he tried to control his anger.
"Alexis...tell everyone...they're too weak..." Envy stopped to breathe. "The only one...who dealt any damage...was me..." Tears dropped down Envy's eyes, freezing as they cracked on the ground. "They...caught me...trying to rescue me...will kill everyone else..."
More and more tears of ice cracked onto the ground. "Leave...get stronger...and maybe you'll be worth...rescuing me...!"
"...Envy-dono." Alexis stuttered, face now full of sweat, and only observed the way Envy talked. The way he expressed, such that his own body could not fully control itself, it made her jaw clench, it made her fists tight, her legs urged her to jump forward.
However...
"BIRURURURURURURURURURURURURU-" The O.G's laughter echoed farther than Roailing, some seemingly coming from all sides.
Once again, Alexis froze. But the O.G walked away from her, from the Cheeky, almost casually.
Willy's and Willie's mouths showed all their teeth, basking in the glory of their laugh. No waves, no battles, no screams, it was their sound that ruled everything else. Heads moved in accordance, chests puffed in and out. Their gazes bore down onto the rest of the Cheeky, accompanied by frowns.
And laughter.
"BIRURURURURURURURURURURURURURURURU!!!"
Part of Envy's chill reached into Willie, though it did not go far, given how much Envy overdid beforehand. Yet, laughter.
Shivers, chills, Alexis took a step back, her breathing going out of control. She dragged him down, she dragged them down, but it was her at the bottom. "Mom..." Random thoughts.
The Envy that told the Cheeky to get stronger, to buckle up, to get their shit together. Quick words that froze others like ice.
It did not take long for a good distance to be made between the groups, the only thing to remain being the laughter.
"BIRURURURURURURURU!"
Willie spoke in between, "I sense sum' of us comin'," He looked behind Roailing for a second. "Th' deal's on!!"
"BIRURURURURURURURURURU!"
"Man you all laugh fuckin' ugly, ya know that? Then again, apparently I laugh like that too...gross." From one of the trees that extended towards the dock, Killie, a no-land, stood. Until moments ago, a complete nobody, perhaps he still was, but it was his rebellious attitude that made others wary.
"I-, no, no, NO! What the FUCK happened here?! These pirates d-did they lose?! Ah for fuck's sake I was too late..." a single tear escaped Killie's eyes before he wiped it away dramatically.
"I missed...the whole thing...man that's depressing, isn't it Pilly?! What the FUCK are we here for then..."
Pilly jerked from his spot amidst the leaves, quickly latching back on the branches to keep himself from falling. "Erm... didn't ya' just want ta' leave?"
Here were them like some kind of third party in relation to the Cheeky Pirates and... their actual family?
Maybe because they were all Bill, they were all crazy. Maybe Pilly was just being crazy in thinking they were crazy...
Yeah.
"I ain't know wha' th'fuck they doin' either," Pilly motioned for Willie and Willy violently, "I think-"
Snap,"UAHHH!" Pilly was no more high and fell face flat on the streets.
For a second, Willy turned in their direction, while Willie tried to push Alexis away with a mere glance.
Willy blinked, "So much fa' reinforcements..."
"I can't leave...not without him knowing...and I surely can't do it alone." Killie jumped down from the branch he was in to stand next to Pilly. "Come on." he said, extending his hand out to his "brother".
Pilly rose his head in Killie's direction, showing the many bruises on his face. He threw his hand to grasp Killie's, their green eyes met and it felt, at least for Pilly, that thousands of thoughts went into his head. Was it the sparks between Selves? Regardless, it made him skip a breath and not even respond what Killie said.
Patience gone, "HMPH!" Willie's right leg shot upwards, grazing Alexis' face almost barely and prompting her to skid backwards. However, a flip and Alexis regained her footing, allowing Willie to properly lift Envy off the ground, his own height helping.
Ah, so that was it, Pilly smiled. The share between Selves, the sensations coursing through all of them, if there was even a name for that. Pilly was Killie, Killie was Pilly, Pilly was Willy, Willy was Willie, but Killie did not want to be them.
Not anymore.
Yet, something surged within Pilly's body, widening his smile if even possible. Something that the nearby O.G could not resist, for they did not even notice it.
Faced with Willy and the other Willie, Willie smiled and rose Envy's body, "Y'all lookin' good! Let's get 'im ta' Boss quick." A glance to the newcomer O.G, Pilly and Killie. "Hoy, ye' two as well please!!" The words sending many into blinks.
KIllie nodded, walking towards the group that grasped Envy quite liesurely. Despite the words of someone that was likely a higher-rank than a no-land, he still felt no pressure, if a bond existed within them, he chose to ignore it. Ignore every bond except the one with Pilly, at least for now. As they reached the group Killie's head tilted curiously, his body moving over several spots as he inspected Envy from several angles.
“This one….this one is admirable….” He noted, despite the fact that he had gotten late to the battlefield, Envy’s words, and his emotions had not gone unheard. They were raw, powerful, they weren’t something that anyone else could dictate, not even Bill, and that peaked Killie’s curiosity to its absolute maximum. Envy was an example, of what the O.G Pirate wanted to be, the life he wanted to lead and so…he had an idea.
“Are you lot okay with this?”
Pilly accompanied Killie almost step by step, though he kept himself silent, unlike Killie. Even if far away, Alexis took backward steps unnoticed by her, gaze more than fixed over the newly arrived "reinforcements". They always came by without any hint of presence, or rather, it was like they were everywhere.
Willy buffed, "Heh, ya' really ain't need ta' ask tha' question." His sharp teeth flashed into a smile, which Willie copied. "We all tied ya' know..."
Swallowing dry, Pilly nodded in reflex to the explanation given by Willy, thus, everything he thought of seconds ago was true.
"Willy's correct, nothin' unexpected, birururu!" Willie complemented, yet again motioning for Envy, whom he gave a light shake in search of any response, "Our feelin's yers, yer feelin's ours."
"You..." Envy could barely breathe, but managed a whisper. "Want to...keep me alive...?"
Envy tried to avoid unnecessary movements, but he couldn't help but chuckle. "Envious...of me..." Envy looked up to the sky. "How...ironic...right...Vanity?"
"BIRURURURURU!" Willy's and Willie's mouths went wide again, voices louder than before. "-RURURURURURURURU!!!"
Willie cried, "EY, HE STILL KICKIN'!!"
"Man I can't get past that ugly ass laugh..." Killie ran a hand through his hair. "If you all know what I'm thinking, then surely I don't need to speak about this, do I? About how utterly...lame this is?"
All laughter ceased as if the audio got completely muted, Willie's and Willy's eyes dropped to meet their smaller self. Oxygen and colors escaping, Pilly felt like his body would bend backwards while he stood by Killie's side. A part of him urged to tug at Killie's clothes and run away before any punishment was issued.
"Do yer really share our thoughts?" Willy asked almost in a whisper, lips and teeth flowing slowly, his tone went unchanged. "Why would'ja fin' this lame...?"
Drier than a desert, Pilly ate at the insides of his mouth, saying no word still, looking nowhere still.
Willie turned around in a blink, stepping off to the island and dragging Envy along, "Tis' pointless, I'mma' be just movin'."
Killie smirked. "Isn't that obvious?!" His hands outstretched at his sides, clenching in a manner akin to claws. His eyes widened almost maniacally, as if he had lost all sort of reason, all sorts of connections with his other selves.
"How many of y-, of us did it take to bring down that one single soldier? Can you tell me that's not lame? You laugh at these pirates when they have done more than any other crew in these recent years. Even now, when he's defeated, you require help to move his body. What are these things that we're all feeling?"
Killie's grin widened as he tapped his temple. "Is it...fear? Excitement? Surely, he's watchin' and he feels the same as we do. These Cheeky Pirates...some of them are a threat aren't they?"
"N-nah..." Envy coughed, "N-not yet...they don't understand...just what you...what he can do..." Envy had to do anything, everything to make sure the O.G let the Cheeky go.
"Y-you have me...without me...they can't keep you down...they can't cripple your forces...they'll be ruined."
Envy breathed again, coughing, before speaking. "K-keep me...let them come back...and have fun...as they die while desperate...to save me...I-isn't that...what you want?"
"BIRURURURURURURU!!" More collective laughter, despite such an action seemingly lowering the O.G's guards. Of course even Killie was tied to them, surely they would be feeling the exact thing that he had been... Envy's words, though, brought another light upon it.
"Yer' really legit ey?!" Willie mused and shifted his gaze from Killie to Envy, from Envy to Killie, and so on. "Then 'ere tis' dude, cheeky, not ours, tis' dude throwin' their clout through ey' toilet, BIRURURURURURURU!"
Even the O.G in the far back of the area and town resisted not the urge to laugh and laugh and laugh. Pilly felt the curve of his lips threaten to rise, while he still sweated. Laughter, laughter, laughter.
Alexis bit the insides of her mouth at the sight, her mind still urging for the possibilities and paths she could take to get Envy back to them.
Sharp grin, Willy waved at Killie, "We understan' it tho', like," He moved to slap Envy, hand stopping short of him due to the cold, "I ain't know wha' game yer trynna' play-"
"Game..." Willie whispered, a silent act that quieted down most of the close O.G, "...Thas' it!!" Then, all of them looked at him, tilting their heads despite the shared mentality. Such plan, Bill himself would roar in laughter at its prospect, perhaps not even believe it. But that only made Willie more willing in doing it, "We got 'im!!" He shook Envy up and down, then pointed at Killie, "An' they get i'm!"
Willy, too, tilted his head. "Wha-"
"Look at't!" All of Willie's teeth flashed, "We know he amazed, ight?!" Some nods, "How 'bout we let 'em keep him for themselves, BIRURURURURURU!"
"HUH? Y-you're joking right?! T-that's not what I mean-, Bill fucking damn it...." Killie facepalmed intensely, a smacking sound reaching even the seas. "God, I really hate you guys...well I guess I really hate me. So fuckin' annoying." Killie's lips quivered, as if he wanted to laugh with them, but he refused. He loathed it, more than anything in the world. His own laughter.
"Fine then! I feel what you all feel, for better or for worse, and you all feel what I feel. Sometimes there's no privacy between us, like sometimes, I really gotta take a shit. And I know one of you fuckers know if I took a mean dump, because in terms of levels, my shame reaches the roofs afterwards! But I'll prove it to you all, that I'm different than you. Because I know that this way of living...is not for us! You all hide behind him, and I don't. I-I'll be my own man, even if I die in the process. If it's a game we're playing, then I'll definitely be the victor." Killie finished, gulping loudly.
Even he, the most defecting of the selves held at least some of the courage Bill had, his voice quivered slightly as he tried speaking after a speech he already regretted. "Though, I do the most defective selves to come with me...I know I'm not the only no-land that has issues."
"I mean-" Not Willie nor Willy brought their voice out, despite their open mouths. Everything and everyone waited for Killie's rant to finalize, unable to even dare interrupt him, no laughter, no snarls, the cheeky also seemed too quiet.
Pilly walked forward, now standing much clear to the rest of the O.G. He shuddered, "O-Oh, shit, me bad," Sweat glistened his face, damn if only words could be swallowed...
Shaking his head sideways, Willie grunted. "Go n'say."
No, Killie did it, the Temporali stood still, Pilly had to. He would. "I-I'm an All-Land an' feel tha' same way..." Of course that may have not spoken much, but considering the number of No and All Lands in the crew, Pilly hoped it was enough. A feeling that the others caught on to without a hunch.
"What..." Another voice boomed, Alexis braced herself a fair distance from Killie and Pilly, "What're you guys saying?!" One hand behind, one hanging by her side. The hidden one waved simply at the cheeky by the sea.
Pilly blinked, "Oh, yer-"
"Punishment?! Like crap... accepting an en-" Alexis bit her lip suddenly, her shoulders moving up and down when she felt each breath in and out, "-we have no way to believe you...!" She glared at Pilly and Killie.
Willy and Willie looked on, laughter still off.
"I'm serious." Killie blinked several times. Whatever smile that had come from Pilly joining him, his expression became neutral. He knew the Cheeky had no reason to believe him, after all, the O.G had toyed with them, made them realize that they were nothing but just another weakling New World crew. And it was true, the Cheeky weren't shit. But that intrigued Killie, and even if he was using them for his own selfish gains, surely they could benefit from him too.
Words and words, actions coming in-between each part of Killie's speech, actions which were valued over any words. Then, here stood something to surpass actions as well...
Accompanying Killie, Willie and Willy adopted frowns for expressions, their gazes stern but still present. Selves shared more than mental connections, also, the very potential wielded by their creator, their father. No wonder was it that many troops facing off against the crew wielded so many styles even when they were not together. Some learned more than others, seeking to become as much of Bill as it was possible.
In part, the Temporali were no different from the rest, still did they put that massive potential to grow further and further. Appearance, marksmanship, swordsmanship, strength contests... Everything was there, deep down in their genetic make-up, whether they approached the matter one way or another... in the long run it was not so important.
In the long run, they converged into one place.
Yet, why was it that he did not stand behind Killie? Willie and Willy did not explode, did not laugh, did not swear. Instead, their faces were finally open in the form of a smirk present on each mouth.
"Fuck yeah!!" Willy bellowed, stretching his arms wildly, "Tis' wha' I'm talkin' about!!!" Head turning to Willie, he rushed a tap against Envy's body, "YA' HEAR?! How d'ya feel 'bout this?!!"
"...!" Envy felt a surge of energy come into his body. His body heated up and returned to a much more stable temperature. "You...!" Envy was about to say, before he realized the gravity of what the O.G were saying. To replace Envy in the Cheeky Pirates, they were going to send one of their own. The possibility of betrayal, the possibility of a massacre, they all existed.
"...I'll only agree if you break contact with him from the moment he steps on our ship." Envy stood up, proud, looking up to face Willy. "Bill is interested in me. He's interested in my strength. That means..."
Envy froze his own hand, forging a knife-like shape from his fingers, and placed it towards his neck. "If I kill myself here...there'll be a problem, won't there?"
Said words quickly had Willie raising his free hand well over his head, Pilly swallowed dry, ready to jump away, while the slap could come any minute. Even faced with defeat and possible death, the burning cold that was Frostbite Envy lingered. Then, the hand moved again.
"Ah," Willie scratched the back of his neck and tilted his head. "Tha's that then." Step and step, he turned around and cringed the skin of his neck.
Pilly, Alexis, even Willy looked at Willie's dismissal. "Oh," Willy beat his fist against his palm, "AYY! Great shit!" More beats, he almost clapped instead, to the point his fist's form blurred.
Something within Alexis urged her to jump, but, she never did. Pilly only intended to walk backwards, his hand quietly reaching out for Killie's clothing in an attempt to tug at it.
Willie looked back at everyone, shrugging, "When a dyin' man's more threatenin' than y'all, I'mma' just dip."
Jackal would be stepping up towards the veteran crew members that had just stopped him and Itim's attempts at joining the fight for real.
The monk's arms were still coated in its green aura emulating that of scales as his clenched fists would be shaking, gritting his teeth together as he'd come face to face with Howzen. The fuming inside his eyes would have in his scarred and lifeless right eye seemingly tremble as his gaze shifted between that of Howzen's own. For a moment, his body appeared to faze... Flicker even. As what could only be described as two extra limbs with claws reaching out as if about to strike the man in front of him, only to vanish as quickly as they'd appear with no effects being dealt to Howzen.
"Superior my ass! Your 'orders' carries as much value as penguin dung to me right now!" Jackal retorted to the pirate's earlier comments, almost going so far as to close the distance between him and Howzen even further but broke it off mid-action as his good eye peered over that of the man's shoulders to spot the actions of what one of their Big Fours were doing with small, glistening object that was just conjured in his hands. For a moment, anger turned to shock... Only for it surge back up again as Jackal pushed himself forward, intending to push through 'The Body' of the Cheeky Pirates. Yet the title was not given to Howzen for nothing, being barely able to budge him as the scarred pirate went for it. Even so, with his head poked over the man's shoulder and his body still tried to shove against the human-roadblock in front of him, Jackal raised his voice.
"WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING FROSTBITE!?! Y-YOU THINK THIS IS GOI--NG TO CHANGE ANYTHING, HUUUHHH!!?" His shouting came off as jagged as it pierced into the ear of the man next to him, the words sounded like he'd been there before. But nevertheless, it was getting clear to the people surrounding him that frustration was taking the helm rather than anything else. Yet they weren't doing anything.
"...We left without any loot," Itim gruffed as he looked towards Envy's direction, "I can't believe we're going to walk away with NOTHING."
Itim eyes quickly switched towards Jackal like a predator catching sight of its prey, however, Itim's seemed to be done more out of anger rather than for the hunt. His pupils narrowed and his fangs bared out in the light, the mink stepping over so that he would tower over the monk with the grand height difference between them. The sound of his armour clanking and his heavy footsteps had become one of Itim's most identifying sounds, easy for the monk to catch onto, though possibly not as easy as to find an answer to quench the mink's visible anger. The blade rested ontop of his shoulder as he looked down, the shadow eerily casted over his face so that his deep red eyes stared at Jackal from the abyss. Even some volts of electro could be seen moving from up hairs to other hairs, making his fur stand in an intimidating and supernatural way.
"You promised me that we would walk away with more stuff for me to sell, little man. If I don't get anything I can sell on the market for a good handful of gold, I'll be handing over your head to the marines to claim that bounty of yours," Itim said to Jackal as he blew through his nostrils, the frustrated breath blowing through the monk's hair.
"Shit." Bryceen muttered under her breath. She stood as the residual ice from Envy's breathing clattered against her skin. She could've mitigated it. Lowering his temperature and allowing him to hold out longer. But did he want that? His demeanor, his resolve. He was willing to risk it all here. And as stupid as his actions seemed. As rash as they came off. It was disrespectful to defy a dying man's final desire. No matter how little she agreed.
Kenzie watched as Envy seemed to succumb to his own power. Her eyes grew ever so slightly, both in fascination but in fear as well. "No way...he's really-" The roars of Jackal and Itim cutting off her train of thought.
"If ya' even think to set foot on that island looking for gold, the ice will freeze ya' from the inside out. If those freaky clones don't tear ya' apart first!" Grendelle contested with Itim as Howzen seemed to have Jackal mostly covered for the time being.
Howzen retained his composure as Jackal pushed against him and shouted. Cries that probably wouldn't even permeate the thick sheet of ice rapidly overwhelming the shore before the Pirates.
"Alexis!" Bryceen shouted, turning to face the young pirate after having a quick gaze to the ocean.
"Hey!" Kenzie seemed to call at the same time to those aboard. She'd been observing the surrounding for some time. So it was only natural this observation would come clear to her.
"Envy's making an opening, if we're going to leave we need to do it now!" The two women called in unison, completely unaware of each other's thoughts.
Alexis almost choked with her own words, Bryceen's call keeping them at bay as well. It seemed that was all she could do recently, stop and gape at a situation that she did not even come close to controlling or influencing. She almost bit her lips bloody without a second thought, gripping something within her clothes, a small object with a blue symbol.
Leave. Powerless. Yes, they were the ones who had to leave. Yet again, powerless to save people, not dissimilar to her life at a certain country.
Turning around, Alexis went with Bryceen's and Kenzie's lead, leaving behind not just a few droplets of water, but also a crew mate. Her feet took no long to land on the ship's deck, surrounded by other crew mates, all of whom apparently sweated at such situation. Alexis palmed her face, mind flooded with memories and thoughts, her free hand threatening to grip her chest.
"You're right," Alexis muttered to those nearby, both her body and gaze falling, she leaned against the side of the deck. Still, the atmosphere dawned upon her more and more.
The explosions shone upon everyone immediately, burning wood and those unfortunate to be too close, which also included members of the O.G Pirates. Their protections barely slowed the fire down, before they were consumed by a battle of flames and water.
Billie grit his teeth at the sight of his attack getting intercepted, though both row were shown with a smile. The more the O.G pressed the Cheeky, the more they brought out, and for what? Each group surely had diverging answers, pitting them in front of one another would only lead to further conflict, which could bring even bigger smiles to the O.G's faces.
The hand brought forth by Kerrim did not necessarily fail to catch its target, he would feel the sensation of Billie being squeezed, something that, at that point, was likely the goal of most of the Cheeky. In fact, Billie had and had been not caught.
What the humongous shadow got were several other O.G Pirates, thus, Billie still, only not in his usual form. Not dissimilar to how many members of the All-Lands blocked the furious plant from further devouring the others.
However, Kerrim and the Cheeky did not even have to breathe before the scene unveiled its short lived mysteries... "Tell Bill?!" Via a declaration echoing throughout the entire beach.
Humans usually damaged their own throat, beasts did not reason to roar louder, yet, this shout's passage shook each grain, each plant, each building.
Yanking Billie off the harsh ground with a single hand was the shout's owner, Billie only shuddered at being saved during the last second. Then, he looked at him, a man wearing glasses and formal clothes, while his other hand sustained... somebody not part of the O.G.
At least not yet.
Frostbite Envy.
"WHAT?!" Some O.G, Billie included, felt their eyes widen at the sight of another Temporali. Though, one that few of them had not seen in years, the rest looking at the immense aura emanating instead.
For then, the battle halted...
Billie spared no glance for the selves crushed by Kerrim, though their lack of screams was apparent. "W-Willie?!!" Whence he looked ahead, he only saw more of Kerrim's mercilessness, however, his mind did not choose the topic to focus on. "HOW TH'F-"
Some turned their attention to Billie, whereas the rest continued to brace themselves against the Cheeky, holding weapons, steading their positions. Regardless, they found the words leaving their lips on their own.
"Willie?! Nah, he different..."
"If he cry, he Willie!!"
"I've seen 'im before!"
"Thas' 'nother Cheeky...!"
"Shut tha' fuck up y'all!!"
"O-ORGANIZE!"
Several silver heads made themselves visually present in the background, some appearing by windows, some atop trees. But, unlike earlier, their auras were more blatant, their gazes more fixed, and each held different kinds of weapons. No, instead, these were the Selves that arrived alongside Willie, and even then they did not seem to be the only ones.
Guns, cannons, rifles, those with melee weapons stuck together, ready for any movement by Kerrim's shadow or the monstrous plants, things that would rid them of life easily.
With the Selves sharing more than information, those that stood defensively frowned further, allowing Willie's feelings to be their own.
Willie, just like when he surfaced from the other Willie, smiled and yelled at the enemies, "Killin' tha girl ain't enough?!" While true that he did not participate in this battle from the start, he was but one of the Selves. Veins bloomed across his face, but his smile never went away.
Raising his other arm, Willie shook Envy up and down, "Tis' guy here fought 'ith teeth 'n nails, taking out one of ours, BIRURURU!! Doin' wayyy more than y'all," Firming his wrist, he held Envy's frame for everybody to see, "BUT LOOK AT 'IM!!!"
Kerrim’s brows remained narrowed as Willie appeared, Envy in tow. His breathing paced itself on a calm and tamed rhythm. He could tell, not just from the sounds of some of the crew gasping, but from his Kenbunshoku soaking up the emotion of those around him. Had their moral been sinking? Was it not enough?
“I didn’t think the old man’s aging sight could pass onto his desolate children. Open your eyes, if all Envy’s got is one kill on his counter, then he isn’t worthy.” Kerrim words etched a message among the crew that no one had heard spoken so brutally before. “So, Envy-“ Kerrim’s hand rose to his hat, clutching onto the apparel that made him who he was in the Pirate world. A rookie known by Red Feather. But for some, he’d shed this layer.
As Kerrim’s hand fell to his side, hat in tow, he tilted his head upwards. The sun bounced off his face, illuminating it in a glamorous light that gave his youthful appearance a golden glow. The black ink that stained his cheeks. Kerrim’s red eyes, now appearing a bit more heavenly than before. “-how are you planning to make this up to me?” Kerrim’s free hand reached outwards, as if welcoming him home.
Envy looked upon his crew and tried his best to hold back his emotions. His body was already on the verge of collapsing. It took all of his strength to stay conscious and listen to this whole debacle. He wanted this nightmare to end. He wanted to return to his crew. But it was too late.
Kerrim's words struck Envy. But he couldn't lose his composure. He could only grin. "What more do you want? I've already given you all a chance to scram. Why haven't ya' left yet?" Envy turned his back. He couldn't bear to look his Captain, and the Cheeky Pirates in the eyes as he said these words.
"These fuckers are the ones that killed Vanity, Captain. I'm not moving one inch until I can kill each and every one of them. And..."
Envy clenched his fist, while the sound of raindrops could be heard near him. "If I could only kill one of them...you all will just get in my way. Maybe try to stop relying on us, and get stronger for once!"
"YE HEARD 'IM!" Willie's saliva had been more numerous than his words, only followed by the O.G's laughter, "BIRURURURURURURURU!"
Shoulders rose, chests puffed, heads arched. One joined after the other.
"BIRURURURURURURURURURU!"
Billie, despite the entire situation minutes ago, yelled just like his fellow Temporali. "Tha' gal was stronger than y'all if I remember right!" Sensations and memories threatened to wash his current ones so much that his expression twisted often. Even then, Billie did not bat an eye at it, merely swimming in remembrances of...
Frostbite Vanity.
Usually, one would retain their default expression when on guard and pointing weapons at their enemies.
"BIRURURURURURURURU!"
But it simply did not cease for the O.G. Whether far away, whether close, whether missing a limb, whether having just been born... Their gazes bore down upon the entirety of the Cheeky Pirates. Comments began, one after the other without pause.
"We even thoughta' rilin' y'all!"
"...Tha' girl 'as perfect."
"But tha' shit spread y'all more!!"
"Ain't matter if Red Feather fucks many a' of us."
"Strong alone, weak togetah!"
Dots of green, much like a priest set candles alit in the middle of the church, continued to litter the mental view of anybody before the O.G. Many that surrounded Willie, Billie, and Envy, sitting down on a high place, unveiling themselves for their hiding spots.
"Red Feather great too!!"
"Maybe..."
"Knowin' that... leave!!"
"A great man..."
This time, Willie continued from his countless siblings, his shades reflecting the visage of the main members of the Cheeky, of Kerrim. "Y'all don't disagree, ey great man, but y'all forgot this ain't just ey man's war!!"
"How about you freak shows keep your opinions to yourself!" Kerrim shouted, warning the O.G to remain quiet. This was a conversation between himself and Envy. It had been awhile since he was met with a comment like Envy's. That he was relying on others too much. "You're telling me to get stronger? I'd plow through every body here if you weren't laying in my face like dead weight!" Veins protruded on Kerrim's face. It wasn't often his calm and collected demeanor was compromised. But being called weak by one of his most trusted. It was a certain pain he hadn't felt in awhile.
"This is your last chance, Frostbite! I'll let you take the spoils, but the last thing I am is weak!" Kerrim's mind flashed back to Vanity. He remembered her strength. She was one of Ishana's finest. To believe that it was the O.G, that it was Bill that was her undoing? Kerrim couldn't help but want to reject Envy's words. But it was his sister, if Envy came to that realization, then surely it would be easier for Kerrim to as well. Right?
Kerrim's eyes showed not anger, but a guilt masked in rage. "Envy, don't make me lose you too."
Envy clenched his fist. It was so tight that his skin began to crack, and blood dropped onto the ground beneath him. He had to maintain himself. There was no benefit in getting emotional. There was no chance of victory, even if the Cheeky miraculously united in this very instant. There was only one thing Envy could do. It was to wait, wait until the Cheeky grew strong enough to help him. If they didn't...at least it would have been a death that honoured his sister.
"You can't prove anything to me right now, Captain." Envy rolled his eyes as he said that last word, if only to emphasize the disdain he had to emit for Kerrim. "Leave with your red feathers and maybe you'll live to see this treasure another day." Envy grinned, "Or maybe I'll dangle it in front of you once I kill all of these losers."
Envy gulped, holding back tears. "You've already lost, Kerrim. Maybe try and get some control over your crew before you try again."
Kerrim clutched his hat, looking towards Envy as his cheek markings flickered ever so slightly. He pulled the hat across his lungs, up his chest and past his heart. His face loomed in shadow as the crimson headdress passed over it. And finally, it's journey attended atop his head, the brim sticking out to once more cast a shadow across his face. The final flicker of his cheeks from mauve to black.
"So...this is how you chose to end things, Envy?" Kerrim spoke, not allowing his expressions to show. The umbral veil cast by his headdress serving it's purpose.
"Hey, Kerrim. Let me tell you my father's words of wisdom before I left him." Envy's tears flowed freely, despite the smile on his face. His voice was soft, but it was projected enough to reach just Kerrim's ears.
"Bonds are like ice...they may melt into water, but they never fade. They simply change forms." Envy smiled. "Our glacier may have melted, Kerrim. But maybe our rivers will meet again." Envy turned around and began to walk away, merely waving goodbye to Kerrim and the Cheeky Pirates. "Grow stronger. I know we can do it. And next time you come back, we'll beat these bastards with a cheeky grin plastered on our faces!"
As Envy exclaimed, he didn't seem to care about the surrounding O.G. He held a confidence in himself. Things would work out. He simply had to keep patient. It would all work out...one day.
In contrast, some of the O.G whipped their heads around in accordance to whom had been speaking, nodding at each once they finished talking, while the vast majority kept their guards up.
Kerrim listened to Envy's words. Words that conveyed an idea that many seemed to forget. Perhaps there was something more to take from this, more than the defeat at the hands of the O.G, more than the betrayal of one of his closest confidants. He watched as Envy walked away. So this is where their rivers split?
Deep within the ground, shadows that spread beneath the city receded. "Fang! We're leaving!" Kerrim ordered, turning his back to the O.G. Before Hilda, a wall of shadows lurched forward from the ground below. It was like a beacon of despair, a well of darkness that divided the land of Glorian. forming a semi-circle that encompassed all the Cheeky and whatever buildings also encompassed the radius. Hands emerged from some of the shadows, pushing against the rest of Oji to propel the chunk of land away from it's motherland.
Hilda's discontent and anger consumed her each time, the more the giant struggled and snarled ferociously like an animal, having to disentangle herself at all costs from Ashd who covered her like a thick, flexible bandage and tied her to the ground with an adamantine chain persistently restraining her, Even Hilda's Herculean strength, added to the frenzy generated by the loss of her friend before her eyes, proved useless before the restricting power of the Kerrim children.
Forcing the young giant to witness, helpless, the speech of Envy who persistently tried to convince Kerim to retreat, although she remained silent in the hope that her captain would not agree with the suggestion of the Big Four member and continue fighting, her anger did not diminish at all, which was evident by the way Hilda huffed and stared at the Four Tenporalli.
But all this fury was converted into frustration when she heard Kerrim order the retreat and began to act on those orders, this frustration and feeling of impotence swallowed up and overflowed into an inconsolable cry, followed by a yell that carried all the indignation and anger of Hilda:
"NOOOOOOO!!!!, WE CAN'T LEAVE THINGS LIKE THIS, THESE SCOUNDRELS KILLED ALE-CHAN, AND YOU'RE JUST GOING TO RUN AWAY AND LEAVE ONE OF US IN THEIR HANDS, I DON'T ACCEPT THIS, CAPTAIN, I DON'T ACCEPT IT!"
Fang erupted from the ground, landing beside Kerrim. He began brushing the dirt from his clothes as his body shifted from his hybrid form back to his human form. "So, is that all?" he said.
"You think I wanted to leave!" Kerrim shouted, the cool he'd fought so hard to maintain finally broken. Visions flashed in his mind, shining gold and blinding darkness. The sounds of death and destruction. Pain and sorrow. Dreams being burned and buried beneath the sand of a island long since forgotten. Another memory lost. "I haven't felt this weak, this embarrassed in a long time. I'd rather die than retreat." Kerrim held his head down low, he tried to cry. But tears, he ran out ages ago.
"But I'm not going to drag you all down with me. We lost Alexis, and they've taken Envy. I'm not a fool. You all could barely get past the port before I had to step in. So, how many more of us had to die before we reached Bill?! We weren't ready...and that's ok. We may have lost Alexis, but I won't trade in ten more lives just so I could say we got revenge for her. But we can still save Envy. One day." Kerrim's face moved to face Hilda. He knew her grief, he'd felt it before. And sometimes, all you could do was accept what happened. And use it for drive.
"I know your pain, Hilda. But understand that we'll lose more than we'd gain if we continued the fight. Choose to find meaning in your suffering, let it be what drives you. And someday, you'll get revenge." Kerrim looked towards the giantess. He glanced up to her, allowing the sun to shine on his face. That's where Hilda, and only Hilda, would see the limbo of pain on Kerrim's face. He wanted to cry, but he couldn't. He wanted to scream, but he couldn't. He wanted to tear someone limb from limb, but he couldn't. Kerrim wished he knew if it hurt this bad the first time.
"I see," said Fang, he didn't even flinch at Kerrim's sudden outburst. He was a Gerongian after all, and they were superb at reading emotions. He fidgeted with his mask, making sure it was securely covered his face. "Kerrim, there's something that I need to talk to you about. Alone."
"...Ker-Chan, you are ... "Hilda murmured, choking on her own tears, while her purple eyes, glowing from being watery, reflected the figure of Kerrim, she looked at her captain's face that illustrated a vacant expression that reflected all the despair and impotence, the same feelings that invaded Hilda's heart the moment Alexis was beheaded in front of her, if Hilda hadn't seen the reflection of her despair on the face of the one she respected the most, she probably would have remained seared by her anger and taken by frustration. But Kerrim's words, and the way he looked at her, were able to reach Hilda's heart and console her, though not completely, for the tears did not stop flowing from her eyes, but she stopped struggling, and with a heavy sigh he went on to say:
"I don't know if I can do it Captain,...but for Ale-chan, I promise I will try !"
"Thank you, Hilda." Kerrim replied, his voice falling alongside his head. His hat once more casting a shadow. Yet, it didn't take much to tell now he'd face Fang. "Can it wait until we return to base?"
"Of course, captain," said Fang, "we'd have more privacy there anyway."
A War for Her[]
Gelid air coursed the whole central town of Oji, Airginol, until the doors to the main mansion shut, blocking its flow outside. Its source went on dragged across the building's halls, very much quiet ever since the end of the conflict, not that any of the O.G Pirates truly minded...
Actually, some did grit their teeth, trying to make faces and say things in order to have Frostbite Envy react. But, everything had been to no avail, thus, the highest ranked scolded the others throughout it all.
Envy and the O.G were now in front of a large door, about six meters in height.
The Willy that was present since the fight at Roailing spoke, "...Why we 'n front of tha' bathroom?" His eyelids almost shut, a sweat ran down his face.
Willie, then unveiled to have been alive, spared a second-long glance at his other self and looked at the door. "HOY-"
Just then, something pierced through the lock of the immense door with a burst of pressure, travelling above them and hitting the wall behind, which also failed to resist it. Willie and Willy jumped to the left, narrowly dodging the falling pierce of wood, dust exploded from the impact.
"I'M TAKIN' A FREAKIN' DUMP GODDAMN IT!!!"
They walked over it and looked into the bathroom, wherein a large figure, way more larger than both, sat... on the toilet, only his left side really visible as a profile view. Willie greeted, preparing to raise Envy in an attempt to shake him awake, and waved with his free hand. "Hoy, cap'n."
Willahelm Bill held a newspaper correspondent to his own size, dressed in flower-pattern pajamas, though the shorts were pushed down given his situation. His messy hair was brightened by the lamp of the bathroom. "EHHHH?! WILLIE?!!" Bill's teeth and eyes bloated out of his skull, hands almost tearing the newspaper in two.
"Ye, I-"
"WILLY!!!"
Willy waved too, "Thas' me-"
"AND A RANDOM BITCH?!!"
"No, th' hell?" Willie frowned, "Tis' guy a member of them Cheeky Pirates!! Hoy," He began to shake and tug at Envy once again.
"...Eh?"
Envy couldn't help but be startled. Despite this man being the cause of his crew's loss, his sister's loss, all he could do was stand agape at how ridiculous this situation was.
"Uh..." Envy blinked. He didn't know what to say. "Frostbite Envy." He said his name and gulped. Maybe it was Bill's enormous Haki, but he couldn't make sense of what to do in this situation.
"F-" Bill blinked while staring at the side of the room, lips formed into a pout, flashbacks popped into his mind, further widening his eyes, "WEREN'T YA' AY' GIRL?! TH' HELL?!! WHA' WERE 'EM CHEEKY DOIN' HERE?!"
Willy's sharp teeth glowed as he scratched the back of his head, "They were' finna' invade us 'n all tha' jazz..."
"...Y'all were fightin'?"
"...." Envy couldn't help but clench his fist. They were fighting for their lives and the Captain hardly noticed? But more importantly...
"No...that was my sister." Envy said, barely able to maintain his hold over himself.
"So...was it you?"
"Sis?"
Another void gaze, Bill cackled the side of his teeth with his tongue, tasting nothing, neither Willy nor Willie blinked while waiting whatever it was to be said next. They did not bother to observe Envy's expressions and mannerisms as well. "Damn, tha' spit," His eyes glared at the broken door and the hole in the hall outside, "makin' me mouth dry."
Willie and Willy looked behind themselves, a large drop of sweat falling off the back of their heads.
"Sheesh," Bill moved to get himself up, Willy's hand shot up to cover Envy's eyes, whistling coming out of Bill's mouth. Willie rolled his shaded eyes. "Yeee," When the hand lowered, Bill was standing in the hallway with them, pants where they had to be, and a wide smile on his face, "I almost mistook ya' fa' one of us, but ye' too handsome-"
Willy pouted, "Oi-"
"-Fa' that!" Bill snapped his fingers to form a finger gun gesture. "Tha' hair an' the cold makin' me skin wrinkle... BIRURURURURURURURURURURURU!!" That same laughter that sounded throughout the entirety of the battle, "Ya' really the gal's bro!"
"...So." Envy said, his voice almost freezing up.
"When she fought you...was she smiling?"
Envy asked, a cold breeze passed.
Silence froze the sound of the birds, and only their breaths were heard.
"Was she...proud?"
Willie almost let go of Envy's body, lips sealing an oncoming hiss. His shades reflected the faint frigidness threatening to crawl up his hand.
Bill held out his own hand, wherein green energy exploded without releasing any sort of shock wave. "BIRURURURURU!!" Before it could expand, the green took shape and separated from his body, landing softly on the floor, "Tha' gal was fuckin' cabomgers!!"
Willy's mouth opened for him to speak as the energy formed and formed, the process all too known to all of the O.G Pirates.
Birth of Self.
Characteristics, emotions, sensations, things considered part of Bill, part of his life.
Yet, Bill gave no breaks. "Ey can't bring th' past, can't ask dead peeps the fuck they be thinkin' too! No gon' lie, I don't be rememberin' when she kicked th' bucket..." Humanoid in shape, the green sprouted silver hair, pale skin. "Lemme' gift ye tho!!"
Standing between all of them was a figure without proper features, body trying to curve on to feminine traits. Still, like a doll, they remained blank.
"Ask 'er yerself goddamn it, BIRURURU!!"
Except for the head, clearly feminine and with long hair. The self smiled in Envy's direction.
"...!" Envy couldn't believe his eyes. Before the doll's eyes even opened, he lost his balance, his knees buckling. He took quick breaths in panic. "You...!"
Envy's eyes almost froze in rage before he stopped. He looked into the open eyes of the new creation, and only a tear fell.
"You're...not...her..." Envy's heart sank. He knew it was true. He saw it. She froze before his eyes! Why did he believe that delusion? He wasn't a fool.
Envy wiped his eyes clean, and looked directly to Bill's eyes despite the immense height difference.
"I get it know. Your stupid trick. Why we couldn't beat you. I get everything." Envy said proudly.
"How many of yours did I kill? 4? 5? Whatever. I'm sure you're going to add her to your ranks and make her my enemy too." Envy took a deep breath outwardly, and pointed directly at Bill. "I promise you. In front of everyone here. When I become strong enough to defeat you, I'll be taking her with me."
Envy looked at the newly created being. "Name her well. My sister will freeze you from hell if you don't."
Envy turned around, and looked to the shore where both ships of the Cheeky Pirates had finally left from view.
"Don't leave me alone for too long now..."