(Longer chapter because of my absence hope you all enjoy)
BANG!
A wooden cane slammed hard onto the marble floor, the impact reverberating through the room. Cracks spider-webbed across the floor beneath the force, and the walls quivered in response as a thick, oppressive aura filled the air.
"USELESS! WHY CAN'T THE MARINES FIND THOSE TWO BRATS?" Saturn roared, his Conqueror's Haki flaring wildly. The sheer pressure of it caused deep fissures to form in the walls, the atmosphere around him suffocating with fury.
Topman Mercury, seated calmly across the room, observed with a raised brow. His gaze remained cool and calculating, unshaken by Saturn's outburst. "Hmm, this is indeed a problem," he surmised, his voice devoid of any emotion, contrasting Saturn's seething anger.
In the grand chambers of Mariejois, the Five Elders sat in council, discussing the growing issue—the utter failure of both the World Government and the Marines in locating the Hunter brothers, the two rookie pirates who had not only destroyed Sorbet Kingdom but had forced Saturn to reveal his Zoan form.
"This is more than just a failure on the Marines," Ethanbaron Nusjuro said coldly, his eyes narrowing as he turned his gaze toward Saturn. "This is your failure, Saturn. Letting those pirates escape, exposing your form, and destroying half of an allied kingdom."
Saturn's fists clenched, his knuckles turning white under the strain. "You better watch your tone, Nusjuro. This failure is not on me," he snarled, his voice low, dangerous.
Mercury, unfazed, shook his head slowly. "No, Saturn. This is indeed your failure. Not only did you fail to kill two rookie pirates, but you allowed yourself to be injured to the point of being barely recognizable. And worse, part of Sorbet Kingdom is now uninhabitable, leaving countless World Government agents ill from the aftermath. The repercussions of your mistake have rippled through our ranks."
Saturn's expression tightened, but he held his tongue as Mercury continued.
"Not only did you expose us, but now Imu is displeased. Fail again, and the consequences will be far worse than this council. He already has little patience with you after God Valley," Nusjuro added, his voice sharp, like a blade.
"Damn it!" Saturn spat, the venom in his tone palpable. His hand gripped his cane so tightly it seemed it might snap in two. "How was I supposed to know those insects had a weapon capable of destroying half an island?"
Saint Peter leaned forward, his expression as cold as ice. "We must get our hands on this technology and find the one responsible for creating it."
"Indeed," Saturn muttered, his rage barely contained. "That weapon is far too dangerous for any pirate to wield. But it's clear they haven't unleashed it again, and they've been hiding in the South Blue ever since. They must lack the resources to use it again."
Saint Mercury, who had been silently nodding in agreement, suddenly stilled, his mind racing with an unsettling thought. He looked at Saturn, his gaze now sharper. "Saturn… go over the events of how this weapon was used once more."
Saturn's brow furrowed, but he obliged, recounting the harrowing moments leading up to the destruction of Sorbet Kingdom, describing in detail the strange combination of powers the brothers had displayed.
As Mercury listened, a deep frown formed on his face, his suspicions growing with every word. When Saturn finished, Mercury sat back, his eyes gleaming with a chilling realization.
"I think there's a chance," Mercury began slowly, "that this wasn't a weapon at all… but a devil fruit power."
"Impossible," Saturn growled, immediately dismissing the idea. "One of them had the ability to manipulate the earth, creating constructs. The other could conjure elements. Their devil fruits couldn't cause such widespread destruction. Maybe the elemental one, but it was the other who unleashed that attack. It had to be a weapon."
Mercury nodded, though a trace of doubt lingered in his expression. "Perhaps… but we shouldn't rule out the possibility just yet. Judging by what you described, these two brothers possess great combat abilities and even greater potential. We should approach them with far more caution. If we send our strongest forces and they unleash that power again, it could be catastrophic. The consequences would be dire for us."
Saint Peter folded his hands in front of him, his gaze dark and calculating. "He's right. We can't afford another failure like Sorbet. If we lose more forces, especially our best, it would deal a tremendous blow to the World Government's reputation."
"So," Saturn said, his voice quieter but filled with deadly intent. "How should we approach this?"
The room fell silent as the elders exchanged looks, the weight of the situation pressing down on them all.
" Send Admiral Kizaru to apprehend them, with his speed and strength it shouldn't be a problem if they unleash the weapon again," Mercury said.
Saturn nodded, agreeing with Saint Mercury. "Sending an admiral to deal with this might be too much, but only they have the power to subdue that pirate crew quickly enough before anything can happen."
----------------
Back on an Unknown Island in the South Blue
The streets of the island were eerily quiet, with only the soft breeze rustling through the trees and the occasional creak of an old wooden sign hanging from a building.
The Hunter Pirates strolled leisurely through the cobblestone paths, their boots echoing faintly in the calm air. Despite the tranquility, there was a certain tension that clung to the town—like the lingering remnants of fear.
The once lively marketplace was now deserted, as townsfolk had long retreated into their homes, wary of any pirate presence.
Though they didn't condone the Eustass Kidd Pirates' brutal methods of terrorizing towns and taking what they pleased, the crew had to admit that having free reign over an empty town did come with certain perks.
Storefronts were abandoned, giving them easy access to anything they desired without resistance. The quiet gave them peace, even if they knew it was born out of fear.
Te, casually walking ahead, appeared lost in thought, his eyes scanning the quiet streets with a mischievous glint. His posture was relaxed, but there was a subtle intensity to the way he moved. His mind, however, was elsewhere.
'Hmmm, let's see what the Kidd Pirates are up to,' Te thought, his grin widening. Without warning, Te activated his En, the invisible energy aura expanding rapidly from his body like a ripple spreading across a still pond.
His Nen covered every inch of the island, sweeping over the houses, shops, and docks. His senses were sharp, pinpointing each living being with precision.
A slow, almost wicked smile crept across his face as he sensed something interesting. 'Ohhh, that's intriguing. Looks like we'll be getting some guests pretty soon.' The anticipation hummed through his veins.
Koby, walking a step behind, noticed the shift in his brother's energy and turned his head toward Te.
He didn't need to ask to know that his brother was up to something. That smile—Te's devilish grin, the one he only wore when he had a plan brewing, usually one that involved chaos—was enough of a sign.
"Te, what are you planning?" Koby asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and resignation. He knew better than to expect a straight answer.
Te chuckled, the sound light but carrying an edge of mischief. "Just wait and find out. You don't wanna ruin the surprise."
Koby sighed loudly, rubbing the back of his neck as they walked. "Whatever. If it were serious, I trust you wouldn't keep me in the dark… right?" His eyes narrowed slightly, though there was a hint of amusement beneath his stern expression.
Ronin, who had been walking a few paces behind, caught the tail end of the conversation. Hearing the exchange piqued his curiosity, and he quickened his pace to catch up. "Dark about what?" he asked, his brow furrowed in confusion as he glanced between the brothers.
"Nothing too serious," Te replied with a shrug, though the playful spark in his eyes remained. "But you might wanna start stretching and warming up."
Ronin blinked, his expression blank for a moment before realization hit. "I know if I keep asking, I'm not gonna get any more information, huh?" He sighed, resigned to his fate. "Fine, I'll take your advice at face value."
He began stretching, rolling his shoulders and loosening his muscles as they continued their stroll through the town, the eerie silence pressing in around them. As Te's devilish grin widened with whatever plan he had in mind.
As the crew continued their casual stroll through the empty streets, the tension in the air seemed to thicken. Te's mischievous grin never wavered, and Koby's keen senses began to pick up on a shift in the atmosphere. They weren't alone anymore.
"Te… tell me this is the surprise you've been grinning about," Koby muttered, already sensing a large group of people moving toward them.
Te's grin widened. "Oh, yeah. You could say that."
Just as Te finished speaking, a group of heavily armed pirates appeared from around the corner, their footsteps heavy and confident.
The unmistakable insignia of the Kidd Pirates was visible on their clothing, and leading them was none other than Eustass Kid himself. The air around him seemed to buzz with raw power and ferocity.
Kidd was as imposing as ever, standing tall with his spiky red hair and goggles perched on his forehead..
His black leather jacket fluttered slightly in the breeze, the spikes on his shoulders adding to his intimidating presence. His piercing eyes zeroed in on the Hunter Pirates, narrowing as if sizing them up.
Next to him was his ever-loyal right-hand man, Killer. Killer, as always, wore his trademark helmet, the emotionless visor hiding his expression, but the tension in his body language was apparent.
His twin scythes were strapped to his back, and he moved with the same grace and precision that marked him as a lethal fighter.
The sound of his weapons faintly clinked as he stepped forward, his gaze fixated on Lila. Even with his face covered, his lingering admiration for her was obvious.
Behind them, the rest of the Kidd Pirates were just as formidable. Heat, the towering pirate with fire-based attacks, stood out immediately. His hulking figure, adorned in leather and metal, was impossible to miss.
His red hair was spiked, matching his fiery nature, and he carried a massive flamethrower on his back. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous, almost sadistic spark as he assessed the Hunter Pirates.
Then there was Wire, a lanky and intimidating pirate who had cybernetic enhancements running down his arms. His hair, short and jagged, stood on end, and he wore a sleeveless jacket that showcased his wiry muscles and mechanical parts.
Wire was known for his agility and unpredictability in battle, and his metallic arms clicked softly as he flexed his fingers, eager for a fight.
Boogie, a massive man with a body full of tattoos and piercings, was grinning menacingly from behind Heat and Wire.
His bald head gleamed in the sunlight, and his muscular arms were crossed over his chest, each hand adorned with sharp brass knuckles. He cracked his knuckles loudly, clearly ready to throw down if the need arose.
Finally, there was Giro, one of the newer members of the Kidd Pirates, but no less dangerous. Giro's shaggy brown hair fell over his eyes, and he wore a tattered cloak that gave him a menacing, wild appearance.
He carried a long spear, its tip gleaming with a deadly sharpness as he twirled it idly, his gaze darting between the members of the Hunter Pirates.
The two pirate crews stood face-to-face in the middle of the deserted street, the air thick with anticipation. The silence was deafening, each side waiting for the other to make a move.
Te's grin was still plastered across his face, while Koby's expression had darkened into a focused calm, his eyes flicking between each member of the Kidd Pirates.
"Well, well," Eustass Kid growled, his deep voice cutting through the silence. "Look what we have here… You must be the ones causing a stir on this island."
Te chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, Kidd, it's been a while. I didn't think we'd run into you here of all places."
Kidd's scowl deepened. "You know me?"
"Oh, I know plenty about you," Te said, his tone mocking. "But I'm not here to chat. I'm just curious… what's got the Kidd Pirates so worked up that they've taken over an entire town?"
Kidd grinned wickedly, his sharp teeth gleaming. "You really wanna know? How about you come closer, and I'll show you."
Koby sighed, the tension clearly getting on his nerves. "Te, let's just get this over with before things get unnecessarily complicated. We've got better things to do than waste time with them."
Te glanced at his brother, the amusement never leaving his eyes. "Relax, Koby. This is just a little warm-up."
From the corner of their eyes, the brothers noticed Killer taking a step forward, his attention locked on Lila, who was standing a few paces behind them. His usually stoic demeanor seemed shaken as he nervously rubbed the back of his neck, his helmet reflecting the sunlight as he stood taller.
"Hey," Killer began, his voice quieter than usual. "I… uh… I've been meaning to ask you something, Lila." His voice softened, almost hesitant. "How about reconsidering my offer? We could be quite the pair, you know. I mean, you're strong, I'm strong… it'd make sense."
Lila rolled her eyes, not even bothering to fully turn to face him. "Oh, you again? I thought I made it clear—maybe next time. Besides, didn't I say I don't date guys who wear masks? And you've gotta be stronger than me. That's non-negotiable."
Killer's shoulders slumped, clearly taken aback but not entirely defeated. He tried to play it off, but it was evident to everyone that he was disappointed. "I'm not giving up. I'll ask every day if I have to."
The entire interaction left both crews stunned, especially the Kidd Pirates. Killer, one of the deadliest and most feared members of their crew, was suddenly reduced to a lovesick puppy, and it was not lost on anyone.
Kidd, visibly frustrated, ran a hand through his wild hair. "Killer, I swear to all that's holy, I will punch you into the next island if you don't stop."
Koby and Te exchanged glances, trying to suppress their laughter at the bizarre situation unfolding in front of them. "Is… is he serious?" Koby muttered, rubbing his forehead as if he couldn't believe what he was witnessing.
"Looks like it," Te said, snickering under his breath. "I gotta hand it to him, though. Takes guts to keep trying."
Killer, undeterred by his captain's threats, turned to Lila with renewed determination. "I'll keep asking every day, Lila. One of these days, you'll say yes."
Te's grin widened, the amusement clear on his face as he clapped Koby on the back. "This is getting weirder by the second."
Kidd's frustration bubbled over as he clenched his fist. His crimson eyes locked onto Te and Koby, who were barely containing their laughter at Killer's expense. The atmosphere grew heavier, a palpable tension settling over the two groups as the air buzzed with anticipation of the inevitable clash.
"Enough!" Kidd roared, the sound like a crack of thunder. His face twisted in rage, his voice brimming with barely controlled fury. "I've had enough of this! You think you can just waltz onto my island and mock us?" His gaze sharpened, his tone dropping dangerously low. "I'll kill you both… then take Lila for my crew."
Te, still grinning, casually raised an eyebrow at Kidd's outburst. "Is that so? Sounds like a solid plan, but there's just one problem…"
"What's that?" Kidd growled, leaning forward, his arm flexing as if ready to strike.
"You're not even in our league," Te replied nonchalantly, flicking his wrist. "I don't really feel like wasting my energy today, so Ronin can handle you."
Ronin's eyes lit up, and he immediately sprang into action, delighted to finally have something to do. He dashed forward with impressive speed, closing the distance between him and Kidd in the blink of an eye. However, just as he was about to strike, Killer leaped in front of his captain, drawing his twin scythes and blocking Ronin's advance with a loud metallic clang.
Killer's helmet tilted slightly, his body rigid with tension as he parried Ronin's initial blow. "I won't let you hurt him," Killer said, his voice steady, though there was still a hint of reluctance—perhaps because of Lila.
Ronin smirked, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Oh, don't worry. I'm just getting warmed up."
The two clashed, steel ringing out as Ronin's katana met Killer's scythes again and again. For a few moments, they seemed evenly matched, trading blows in a flurry of quick movements. But Ronin's smile never faded—it was clear he was holding back.
In an instant, Ronin's demeanor changed. His killing intent leaked out in waves, causing a chill to run down Killer's spine. The shift in the air was palpable, and Killer, despite his skill, took a hesitant step back, unsure of what had just happened.
Taking advantage of the opening, Ronin shot forward with blinding speed, his katana flashing as he delivered a precise slash across Killer's chest. Blood sprayed as Killer staggered back, his body slumping to the ground, incapacitated. His twin scythes clattered to the floor, and his breathing became labored as he clutched his wound.
"Too easy," Ronin muttered, already turning to face his next opponent.
"Heat!" Kidd barked, his voice filled with rage as he watched Killer fall.
Heat stepped forward, his hulking frame towering over Ronin as he aimed his flamethrower. Without hesitation, he unleashed a torrent of fire in Ronin's direction, the intense flames roaring toward him. But Ronin was already gone, disappearing in a blur of speed.
The flames hit nothing but empty air.
In a flash, Ronin appeared beside Heat, his katana glinting in the light as he struck the bottom of the flamethrower's fuel tank with the hilt of his sword. The impact sent Heat crashing into a nearby building, the force of the blow crumbling the wall as debris rained down on him.
"Pathetic," Ronin said, sheathing his katana as he stepped over Heat's unconscious body.
Kidd's eyes narrowed in anger. Realizing the threat Ronin posed, he clenched his l arm, the magnets inside his body activating with a low hum. In a matter of seconds, Ronin's sword was yanked from his hands, flying into Kidd's grasp.
Ronin raised an eyebrow, unperturbed. "You can keep that if it makes you feel better. I don't need it to beat you."
Kidd's lips curled into a snarl as he pointed the stolen katana at Ronin. "You really think you can take me on without a weapon?"
Ronin merely smiled, his confidence unwavering. "I don't think—I know."
The tension between Ronin and Eustass Kid reached its peak as they squared off, the air around them thick with anticipation. The eerie quiet of the town had disappeared, replaced by the buzzing energy of two pirates ready to showcase their strength.
Kidd's smirk widened as he let out a low chuckle. "You really think you can beat me without your sword?" he sneered, gripping Ronin's katana in his hand. The weight of the blade was nothing to him, a mere toy in the hands of a pirate with one of the most dangerous devil fruit abilities.
Ronin, unfazed by the loss of his weapon, cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders as if warming up. "Don't need it. I've got plenty of other tricks up my sleeve." His cocky grin was enough to fuel Kidd's irritation.
"You're gonna regret that attitude," Kidd growled, before slamming his real fist into his metal arm. The sound echoed through the streets, metal on metal, as he activated his devil fruit powers. Immediately, metal scraps from nearby buildings and debris started flying toward him, attracted to his body like a magnet.
Kidd's Devil Fruit ability, the Jiki Jiki no Mi, allowed him to manipulate metal at will, and he wasn't going to hold back. In a matter of seconds, metal pieces had fused together to form two gigantic mechanical arms that hovered ominously over his shoulders, ready to crush anything in their path.
Ronin looked up at the massive contraptions, his eyes gleaming with excitement rather than fear. "Oh, finally! This is more like it!" he shouted, his voice brimming with energy.
Kidd grinned wickedly, his teeth glinting in the light. "You asked for it!"
With a roar, Kidd hurled one of the enormous metal arms toward Ronin, the ground beneath them shaking from the sheer force of the attack. But Ronin was already moving, his body a blur of speed as he dodged to the side. The metal fist crashed into the ground where Ronin had been standing just moments before, leaving a crater in its wake.
"Too slow!" Ronin taunted, darting forward with blinding speed. He was already in front of Kidd before the larger man had time to react. With a quick strike, Ronin aimed a punch at Kidd's ribs, but Kidd had anticipated the move. His mechanical arm swung around like a wrecking ball, blocking the attack and sending Ronin skidding back across the dirt.
"Let's see how you like this!" Kidd snarled, as the second massive metal arm swung down from above, aiming to crush Ronin flat. Ronin's eyes narrowed as he jumped into the air, flipping over the arm with an impressive display of acrobatics.
Kidd's frustration grew, and he pulled even more metal toward him, fusing it with the existing structure until he had created a pair of massive mechanical fists that towered over him like giants. The sheer size of the constructs would have been enough to intimidate any normal pirate, but Ronin's grin only widened.
"This is more like it!" he shouted, charging forward once again.
Kidd, eager to wipe the grin off Ronin's face, slammed both of the massive metal fists down, one after the other. The ground exploded in a shower of dust and debris, but when the dust cleared, Ronin was nowhere to be seen.
"Where are you hiding?" Kidd growled, his eyes scanning the rubble.
Suddenly, Ronin reappeared, using Soru to dart behind Kidd in the blink of an eye. "Right here!" he shouted, landing a powerful kick to Kidd's back. Kidd stumbled forward, gritting his teeth, but quickly recovered, turning to swing one of his giant metal arms at Ronin. This time, Ronin didn't dodge. Instead, he met the attack head-on, catching the massive arm with both hands.
For a moment, it looked like the weight of the arm would crush Ronin, but he held it back, his muscles straining as he dug his heels into the ground. "You're not the only one with strength, Kidd," Ronin said, gritting his teeth.
Kidd's eyes widened in surprise. "You're stronger than you look, I'll give you that," he muttered, before using his devil fruit powers to disassemble the metal arm in Ronin's grasp, causing it to dissolve into countless metal shards.
Ronin barely had time to react as the shards reformed into dozens of smaller projectiles, all hurtling toward him at breakneck speed. He twisted and spun, dodging most of the metal spikes with ease, but a few grazed his skin, drawing thin lines of blood.
"Is that all you've got?" Ronin taunted, wiping the blood off his cheek with the back of his hand.
Kidd growled, his eyes glowing with fury. "Not even close!"
With a roar, Kidd pulled every piece of metal within range toward him, forming an even larger mechanical arm, nearly three times the size of the previous ones. The sheer weight of it caused the ground beneath Kidd's feet to crack and buckle. "Let's see you dodge this!" Kidd bellowed, launching the colossal arm forward with terrifying speed.
But Ronin didn't move to dodge. Instead, he planted his feet firmly on the ground and raised his fists. The colossal metal fist came crashing down, but Ronin caught it with both hands, the impact sending shockwaves rippling through the street.
The ground beneath Ronin cracked and splintered, but he held his ground, his muscles bulging as he pushed back against the weight of the enormous arm. "Nice try," Ronin grunted, before letting out a roar of his own and shoving the arm upward with all his strength.
Kidd's eyes widened in shock as his massive metal arm was thrown off balance, leaving him wide open.
Taking his chance, Ronin used Soru to appear right in front of Kidd and delivered a powerful punch to his gut. Kidd staggered back, gasping for breath, but before he could recover, Ronin followed up with a spinning kick to the side of his head, sending him crashing into a nearby building.
As Kidd struggled to get to his feet, Ronin cracked his knuckles, grinning from ear to ear. "This is fun. Let's keep going!"
But Kidd wasn't done yet. With a snarl, he summoned every last piece of metal he could find, forming a massive mechanical structure around him like a suit of armor. His eyes glinted with savage fury as he stared down Ronin. "I'm not losing to you!"
Ronin's eyes gleamed with excitement as he took a fighting stance. "Good. I'd be disappointed if you did."
And with that, the two pirates charged at each other once more, the sound of metal clashing against flesh echoing through the streets as they continued their fierce, back-and-forth battle.