"Before we start, I want to ask a question. Why did you massacre indefinite amounts of people? What drove you towards it?" Tim Tim asked.
"Because it was fun. All the despair slowly infecting their weak, frail minds and executing their hope right in front of their eyes was a joy to watch. Every life taken was purely for my entertainment." Kozo smiled.
"That's not what I meant! What set you on this path of destruction and chaos!?"
"Oh that. A couple of traitorous bastards, such as this man at the tip of my dagger, decided to abandon my crew for trivial pursuits such as creating a family or treasure hunting. They insulted and spat on my dreams to follow their own self-centred desires. They ripped a hole in my omnibenevolent heart, so I returned the favour. After succeeding in this, I only wanted to see more and more despair, this resulting in the glorious God you see before you!"
"You say they wanted to follow selfish desires but surely forcing your dreams upon them is even more so. The people you have killed, the people that were left behind broken, we will avenge them and one more thing. You are no God!" Tim Tim shouted, and, as if on cue, Jimmy and Nargo, who had flanked Kozo unnoticed, attacked simultaneously.
However, Kozo disappeared as the attacks were about to hit and reappeared, his dagger at Tim Tim's throat. A freezing chill ran down Tim Tim's spine. The blade dug deeper into his neck, blood starting to trickle. Before Kozo could cut any deeper, Tim Tim hit Kozo in the stomach with the hilt of a sheathed Zendu, temporarily winding Kozo. Tim Tim backed off and regrouped with Jimmy and Nargo.
"What the fuck did he just do?" Nargo asked.
"I'm not sure, I think he teleported." Tim Tim replied.
"Great! Another fucking devil fruit user." Nargo complained.
"You figured it out then mongrels. I'll enlighten you. I have the transport-transport fruit." Kozo said, standing back up.
"What did you do with Sam?" Tim Tim asked angrily.
"Don't worry the scum isn't dead yet. In fact, he's already run off to where the rest of your party is. How I'll enjoy showing them your severed heads when I greet them."
Nargo threw his chains but when they neared Kozo, they disappeared and then reappeared behind him.
"When will you learn? That won't work."
"That's what you think." Nargo smirked.
"Wha-"
The chains went to wrap round Kozo's legs, but he narrowly teleported a few feet away. The chains followed him no matter what he did. Both devil fruit users were consuming their stamina rapidly, Nargo using his other chain to catch Kozo off guard. Kozo smirked. He used his power on the chains again, but this time they didn't reappear.
"Where did you put my fucking chains?" Nargo stammered, exhausted.
"Somewhere that won't bother me. Underground." Kozo replied, also exhausted.
"Tim Tim, our turn." Jimmy whispered.
Jimmy and Tim Tim sprinted towards Kozo. Jimmy attacked first, thrusting his harpoon. Kozo evaded the attack but was knocked off balance by the ground shaking. Suddenly, chains broke from the ground, entrapping Kozo's arms and legs.
"It seems my range is bigger than your range, Kozo." Nargo shouted, falling to his knees.
"I can't keep him held for long, finish this."
Jimmy jumped back as Tim Tim gripped Zendu's hilt. Darkness shrouded the entire blade, more than any other time before. The story of Genuichiro Zendu told by his grandson, the blacksmith that sold the katana to Tim Tim, flashed into Tim Tim's mind.
"It all began with my grandfather. He was loved by everyone in the village. However, he was a pirate. No-one really took an interest though as he was considered a peaceful one. He was one of the greatest blacksmiths in the region, and he was also one of the best fighters. He was respected as a first mate and a decent man. It all went downhill when my grandfather met his future wife.
After several years of being together, he decided to retire from the sea which many of his crewmates were not happy about. Especially the captain, Kozo. After settling down in Lvneel and opening up a blacksmith's, he had 3 sons: Gen, Ichi, and Ro. Gen was my father.
A few years after Genuichiro's retirement, his old crew, "The Black Daggers", came to pay him a visit. They were disgusted by the life he chose. There was no adventure. There was no glory. Only weakness. It became apparent that once my grandfather left, they became dark oppressors of the sea. The opposite of the ideals they had once upheld.
They slaughtered Genuichiro's wife, Cassandria, and his sons Ichi and Ro. My father, Gen, hid in a barrel which thankfully kept him alive. Genuichiro was left devastated and broken. Despite what had happened, he tried to bring Gen up as best he could. However, a deep burning hatred grew each day for his old crewmates. He plotted at night when Gen slept and to prepare Gen he would teach him blacksmithing during the day.
One night, Gen was woken by the clanging of metal and sizzling of the forge. He went to look and was mortified by what he saw. Genuichiro's eyes were filled with rage. His teeth were bared like a rabid animal. Genuichiro had broken completely. My father's life was changed by the final thing that happened that night. A final clang.
Silence ensued for what my father described as hours but was realistically only a few seconds. Then torturous, rage-filled screams pierced the silence. My father never described the rest but the aftermath was that of this sword.
I believe it is a cursed sword. I called it Zendu after my family name."
"Kozo! For the killings of Genuichiro's family and many other unfortunate souls, I hereby sentence you to death." Tim Tim shouted.
"W-wait! Did you say Genuichiro?" Kozo stuttered.
Tim Tim unleashed Zendu, a massive explosion occurred, dousing the surroundings in dark energy.
"Cursed sword style: Mugen no Zõo!"
Tim Tim raised Zendu above his head, darkness consuming the blade uncontrollably. Tim Tim slashed down diagonally, the blade not touching Kozo. Nothing happened.
"You little punk. Actually got me scared for a second there!" Kozo laughed.
Tim Tim turned away from him and walked towards Nargo and Jimmy. Kozo's eyes widened. He watched mortified as his body slowly became detached from his head. The death was excruciatingly brutal to watch. It was similar to watching a laceration of a limb, except it was happening in super slow motion, allowing Kozo to feel each centimetre tear.
"JUST FINISH ME!" Kozo pleaded, clawing at his neck and trying to wriggle free of the chains. He screeched and begged for mercy.
"I'm inflicting the same pain you caused to so many innocent people. This may just make me as bad as you but I'll carry the burden of everyone's hatred, so they may live in peace." Tim Tim trembled.
"FOOL! YOU FOO-"
Finally Kozo's punishment was fulfilled.
"Why so serious, bucket boy?" Nargo smiled at Tim Tim.
"I was trying to be intimidating, Mister Nargo."
"You? Intimidating? Don't make me laugh!" Nargo laughed.
"Now, now children. Stop arguing!" Jimmy intervened.
"We're not children!" Nargo and Tim Tim shouted.
"Whatever you say. Anyway what was that thing you did to him?" Jimmy asked Tim Tim.
"It wasn't really me. It was mainly Zendu and I don't think it'll do that again. Does anyone know why he didn't teleport away?" Tim Tim asked.
"I think he had a short range on his ability and for some reason, binding him seemed to prevent his ability." Jimmy answered.
"Who's ready for some fucking bevvies?!" Nargo shouted.
"I'd like to, but we have to find Leroy first." Jimmy said.
"Also I'm probably about to pass out." Tim Tim sheathed Zendu, tiny cuts opening across his arm but not as severe as previously. Tim Tim collapsed, leaving Jimmy and Nargo to locate and find Leroy whilst carrying Tim Tim and Barbosa, who was still unconscious.
"Nargo, if you take them to the tavern, I'll look for Leroy. Also grab Kozo's head." Jimmy suggested.
"No fucking complaints from me."
Nargo quickly bagged the head and used his powers to make a wheelbarrow of weapons and squished Barbosa and Tim Tim into it. He then walked to Gary's tavern. Meanwhile, Jimmy investigated Leroy's whereabouts. Luckily, Leroy had fallen asleep next to the crater which resided an unconscious giant marine.
"Leroy! It's over, you can wake up now!" Jimmy shouted.
There was no response from Leroy, happily asleep.
"Ok then. Oh, no! Leroy will miss his gym session and his fishing lesson if he doesn't wake up!"
"WHAT!? I'M LATE! WAIT A MINUTE! THE SUN'S NOT EVEN UP! SURELY YOU'RE MISTAKEN!" Leroy awoke.
"I was joking Leroy but we won. Everyone's at the tavern at the moment if you'd like to join us."
"DID YOU SEE MY MAGNIFICENT SPECIAL MOVE, MASTER FISHERMAN JIMMY!?" Leroy bounced up and down excitedly.
"Indeed I did. And I must say that I, your fishing instructor, am extremely impressed and glad you're in the crew."
"THAT MEANS SO MUCH TO ME! I WILL REMEMBER THIS FOREVER MASTER FISHERMAN JIMMY!" Leroy teared up.
"Shall we get going then?"
"LET US GO TO GARY'S MIGHTY TAVERN!"