One Piece : Brotherhood

The chaos of the beach erupted like a tempest as the battle escalated. Robin's eyes were wide with anxiety as she gripped the sides of her cloak, watching the cloaked figures engage with her family. Her hands trembled as she began morphing into her newfound mythical Zoan form.

"We have to help them!" she said urgently, her voice sharp with concern.

But Diamante's hand shot out, grabbing her by the shoulder. "Calm yourself, Robin!" he barked. His usual flamboyant demeanor was gone, replaced by the seriousness of an experienced warrior. "This isn't your fight—not yet. Stay with Buffalo and the others. If you charge in, you'll only put them at greater risk!"

Robin bit her lip, her nails digging into her palms as she held herself back, her heart pounding in frustration.

"Raging Tiger!"

Issho's voice boomed over the battlefield as he swung his shikomizue with devastating precision. A gravitational wave roared forward, the sheer pressure of it distorting the air. The purple-tinged domain expanded outward, slamming down on the cloaked figures like an unrelenting tidal wave of force.

But the lead figure—the strongest of the trio—moved like lightning. With a feral roar, they surged through the gravity field, muscles straining against the crushing force. The ground beneath them buckled under the pressure, but the figure tore through it, a blackened fist of armament haki glowing ominously as they closed the distance.

Issho's blade swung in a blur to meet the incoming strike, but the figure pivoted at the last moment, twisting their body to avoid the blade. Their fist crashed forward, slamming directly toward Issho's chest.

With a sharp intake of breath, Issho's free hand shot up, his palm coated in gleaming black haki as he caught the attack mid-swing. The impact reverberated across the beach, sending tremors through the sand.

But then it hit him—a sudden, debilitating weakness that gripped his body like a vice. His muscles tensed, and his haki flickered for a fraction of a second. His keen observation haki processed the situation instantly.

"Kairoseki…!" he muttered under his breath, his tone tinged with realization. The figure's arm—no, their prosthetic—was crafted from seastone. The deadly material sapped his strength the moment it made contact, and though Issho had trained rigorously to resist its effects, even he wasn't immune to its crippling influence.

The cloaked figure didn't let up. Their other fist, wreathed in dense armament haki, swung upward in a brutal arc, aiming for Issho's ribs.

Issho reacted instantly, disengaging with a surge of gravity that propelled him backward. He landed a safe distance away as the enemy's strike hit the ground where he had stood. The force of the punch rippled through the sandy beach, creating a crater so massive that the surrounding shoreline trembled, sand cascading like water into the pit.

The cloaked figure straightened, the faint glow of the setting sun glinting off their seastone arm. "A true swordsman, I see," they growled, their voice low and gravelly. "But I still keep wondering how someone like you ended up becoming a pirate."

Issho's lips pressed into a firm line, his grip tightening on his shikomizue. The figure darted forward again, their movements like a predatory blur.

"Dark Meteor!"

A flurry of punches exploded from the cloaked figure, each one a deadly combination of raw power and precise haki control. Each strike carried the weight of a mountain, the sound of the air splitting around them echoing like thunderclaps.

But Issho was ready. His blade danced in the air, each swing precise and deliberate. Sword slashes met the incoming punches, creating shockwaves that rippled outward, shaking the beach and tearing through the surrounding beach. The two combatants seemed like titans locked in a deadly rhythm, neither giving an inch.

On the other side of the battlefield, Smoker squared off against another cloaked figure. Blood streaked down his temple, but his fierce determination burned through the pain. Smoke curled around his body, coiling and surging with each move.

"White Out!"

Smoker roared as he unleashed a torrent of smoke, the tendrils twisting and weaving like predatory snakes. The smoke surged forward, attempting to suffocate and disorient his opponent.

But his enemy was no novice. With a swift, fluid motion, the cloaked figure leaped high into the air, flipping gracefully to avoid the smoke's grasp. They landed behind Smoker, their feet barely touching the ground before they launched a series of devastating kicks. Each strike was precise, aiming for Smoker's vital points.

Smoker spun on his heel, his armament-coated jitte swinging to parry the incoming attack. Sparks flew as metal clashed against haki, the sound piercing through the chaotic battlefield.

"You're fast," Smoker growled, his voice low and dangerous. "But I'm faster than you think."

His smoke surged upward, forming into massive tendrils that encircled the enemy. With a swift motion, he tightened the smoke, trapping them in a suffocating grip. The figure struggled for a moment, but then, with a surge of strength, they broke free, scattering the smoke with a powerful haki-infused strike.

"Reiju!" Robin called out from the sidelines, her voice trembling with worry. "Snap out of it! What's wrong?"

Reiju, momentarily dazed by the emotional weight of Livia's words, felt her mind clear in a surge of clarity. No. No matter who they are or what they want, I'll decide what comes next. But first, I'll free myself. Her resolve sharpened like a blade.

With a powerful surge, she morphed into her hybrid form—a towering figure that melded her human grace with the monstrous strength of her Gorgon powers. Her scales shimmered with an iridescent sheen, her eyes glowing with an ethereal gold. Her tail, rippling with muscle and energy, lashed out like a whip, striking Livia square in the chest.

The force was devastating. Livia's body was launched like a cannonball, hurtling across the sandy beach before crashing into a dilapidated wooden cabin. The structure splintered upon impact, debris flying in all directions as the shockwave rippled outward.

The cloaked figure battling Smoker froze at the sight, his calm and calculated demeanor replaced by shock. "Livia!" he shouted, panic bleeding into his voice.

He had been fighting defensively, his blows measured and his intent restrained. The mission was clear: extract Reiju without escalating the situation. But now it was painfully obvious how mistaken they'd been. Reiju wasn't a captive—they'd misjudged everything.

"Damn it!" he roared, his fists trembling as they clenched. His body was suddenly enveloped in a dark sheen as he infused his entire form with armament haki. With a guttural yell, he lunged at Smoker, his speed breaking through the air in a burst of force.

The collision was thunderous. His haki-coated fist tore through Smoker's logia form, hitting with such force that Smoker was sent careening backward, skidding across the sand before steadying himself.

Smoker gritted his teeth, his favorite candy clenched tightly in his jaw as smoke billowed furiously around him. His hands rose, his eyes blazing with anger.

"Mist Gatling!" Smoker bellowed, the air above him darkening as countless smoke fists materialized and rained down like a relentless storm. Each smoky fist descended with the weight and speed of cannon fire.

The cloaked figure's eyes widened, realizing too late that there was no escaping the barrage. With no other choice, he roared, planting his feet into the sand. His voice was raw as he shouted, "Tekkai!" His entire body stiffened, becoming an immovable wall as the fists pummeled him mercilessly.

Reiju, meanwhile, retreated to Robin and Diamante, her tail flicking behind her with residual energy as she reverted back to her normal form. Her small stature stood tall, her breath steady, her golden eyes scanning the battlefield. She didn't pursue Livia immediately.

That blow wasn't enough to bring her down. Reiju's combat instincts told her as much. And sure enough, from the ruins of the shattered cabin, a shadow emerged, massive and foreboding.

The figure that stepped forward was no longer cloaked. Livia had fully embraced her ancient zoan form, a transformation that exuded primal power and raw ferocity.

A werewolf stood before them, towering at nearly six meters tall, its body an awe-inspiring mixture of nightmare and majesty. Its fur, a cascade of black streaked with crimson and silver, shimmered like steel under the fading sunlight. Muscles rippled beneath the fur, each movement precise and deadly.

Along its limbs, glowing runes were etched into its flesh, pulsating with an otherworldly energy, as though they carried the secrets of an ancient, forgotten power.

The werewolf's glowing red eyes burned with intelligence and fury, locking onto Reiju with an almost predatory focus. Its claws gleamed like blades, each one capable of rending steel with ease. Its chest expanded as it exhaled a low growl, the sound vibrating through the battlefield.

Livia's voice emerged from the towering beast, distorted and guttural but unmistakably hers.

"You'll need to come with us, Reiju," she snarled, her tone a mix of confusion and something almost… mournful. "I didn't want it to come to this, but you've left me no choice. If I have to take you back to your mother by force then so be it."

The tension on the beach was palpable as Robin and Reiju stood ready to act. Even Buffalo, who typically cared more about his next snack than combat, stepped forward, determination etched into his usually carefree face. But before they could take a step, tendrils of soot curled around them, anchoring them in place.

"Not your place to fight yet, kids," Diamante chuckled, his tone light despite the rising intensity of the moment. The children turned to him with accusatory glares, their frustration clear. Smoker, after all, was already fighting tooth and nail against a clearly superior opponent, so why not them?

Diamante only smirked in response. "Smoker's different," he said nonchalantly, his sharp gaze never leaving the battlefield. "He's earned the right to step up—he's got the strength to back it. Besides," he added with a casual shrug, "this is bigger than just a fight. Do you think I'd let any of you charge in blind? No, your time will come, but not today."

Despite his calm demeanor, Diamante was acutely aware of the situation. Smoker was beginning to gain the upper hand against his opponent, his relentless assault pushing his adversary onto the defensive.

However, the real concern was Issho, who was steadily losing ground. Though to the untrained eye it appeared to be a stalemate, Diamante's seasoned instincts told him otherwise—the enemy wasn't even fighting at their full strength.

Reiju clenched her fists, her little form trembling with barely restrained power. "Diamante, we can't just stand here!" she urged, her golden eyes flashing with urgency. "If you step in, the balance of this fight will shift. They're pushing Issho back—and you know he's holding the line."

Robin added, her voice equally anxious, "We need to help. If you join the fight, this could be over before reinforcements even get here!"

Buffalo nodded fervently, his childish excitement now replaced by genuine resolve. Even he could sense the weight of the battle.

But Diamante remained unfazed, his relaxed posture a stark contrast to the storm unfolding before them. "Have you forgotten something?" he asked, his voice steady and teasing. His smirk widened as he glanced toward the horizon. "The Young Master is here. Do you really think he doesn't know exactly what's happening?"

His words hung in the air like a lifeline, cutting through the tension that gripped the children. Robin, Reiju, and Buffalo exchanged surprised glances, momentarily caught between their desire to act and the weight of Diamante's statement.

How could they have forgotten? Young Master Rosinante was here. The overwhelming presence that represented their unshakable pillar of strength and strategy was always with them, even if not immediately visible.

Robin's brows furrowed in realization, her anxiety momentarily giving way to reassurance. Yes, of course. How could she have forgotten it? Reiju's golden eyes gleamed with renewed clarity, the urgency in her expression softening as her faith in Rosinante reasserted itself. Even Buffalo, whose youthful eagerness to fight had momentarily overtaken his better judgment, let out a small exhale, the tension easing from his shoulders.

Though young master Ross had set out earlier with Lucci for training, it didn't mean he wasn't fully aware of what was happening here, right now. His mastery of observation haki was near mythical, vast enough to encompass the entire island and beyond. They all knew this—not just as a matter of skill, but as a core truth of who he was. Nothing escaped the Young Master's gaze.

The children stood there, their emotions a mix of awe and guilt. How could they have doubted his awareness? He wasn't just their leader; he was their protector, their guiding light in a world fraught with chaos. The mere thought of him not knowing what was happening here seemed foolish now.

Diamante, ever perceptive, smirked at their shifting expressions. "See?" he said, his tone both amused and reassuring. "He's got this. He's always had this. The Young Master didn't build his name on luck or bluster. If he's here, everything that happens is already under control." His confidence was infectious, settling into the hearts of the children like a calming wave.

It wasn't blind faith—it was earned. They had all witnessed Rosinante's strength, his unyielding will, and his ability to stay five steps ahead of any adversary.

Diamante chuckled, as if amused by their doubt. "With how vast the Young Master's observation haki is, I'd wager he's already got this entire scene under control. Just trust him."

As if on cue, a sudden sonic boom ripped through the battlefield, causing everyone to freeze. A blur of crimson scales tore through the air, its trajectory aimed directly at Livia, who was preparing her charge to rush at the group to nab Reiju once more.

Suddenly Livia's glowing eyes widened in shock as her observation haki flared as the figure slammed into her with the force of a meteor, cutting her charge short. The ground beneath her feet groaned and cracked, unable to withstand the sheer weight of the blow. It was Lucci.

The young warrior stood before her, his crimson scales gleaming under the sunlight like molten steel. His hybrid form was monstrous and imposing—feline grace merged with reptilian power.

His aura radiated sheer dominance, an unspoken promise of destruction to anyone who dared stand against him. His golden eyes, slitted like a predator's, burned with unrelenting intensity.

"Draco Meteor…!" Lucci roared, his voice carrying like thunder. His haki-coated fist collided with Livia's chest, the impact so ferocious it sent shockwaves rippling outward. The very air seemed to shatter.

Livia, even in her towering werewolf form—a being strong enough to fight seasoned vice admirals on equal footing—was completely overwhelmed by the sudden assault despite her bringing her arms up in defense.

The runes etched into her fur dimmed under the crushing force of the attack. Her knees buckled, her towering figure trembling as the ground beneath her splintered into a spiderweb of cracks.

"Impossible…" Livia growled, her distorted voice tinged with disbelief as she was forced to her knees. The sheer weight of Lucci's punch drove her further into the cracked sands.

The battlefield roared with chaos as Livia, driven to the limits of her primal instincts, let out a guttural howl that shook the very air. Her massive werewolf form, towering and fearsome, radiated unbridled fury.

Sand and debris exploded outward as she clawed her way free of the sandy crater where Lucci had driven her. Her eyes burned with an animalistic intensity as she snarled, her armament haki flaring to life.

"Busoshoku Koka!" Livia roared, her obsidian claws gleaming with a metallic sheen as they absorbed her haki. With one fluid motion, she swung her arm with ferocious speed and force, aiming for Lucci's head with enough power to split boulders in half.

The crimson-scaled prodigy didn't flinch. With a calm precision that belied his youth, Lucci raised his arm to block the attack. The collision rang out like a thunderclap, the shockwave tearing through the beach and sending sand flying in every direction.

But to Livia's disbelief, her claws—reinforced by both haki and her primal strength—only grazed his shimmering scales. The scratch was superficial, a mere blemish on his otherwise impenetrable armor.

"How…?" Livia hissed under her breath, her confidence momentarily shaken. Her ancient Zoan form was renowned for its strength and durability, but this… this was beyond anything she had encountered. She had no time to dwell on her surprise. Her observation haki screamed a warning.

Lucci's kick struck like a meteor, his foot colliding with her ribs with an impact that shattered the sound barrier. The force sent Livia hurtling across the battlefield, her massive frame tearing through sand and rock like a battering ram. She skidded to a halt, coughing as pain radiated through her body.

Before she could recover, the sky above her darkened. Lucci was already on her, his form a crimson streak of destruction. With a deafening roar, he drove his fist into her midsection. The shockwave from the strike rippled outward, splitting the ground beneath her and sending tremors through the battlefield. A sickening crack echoed as ribs snapped under the force of his blow.

Livia gasped, her breath stolen by the devastating punch, but her Zoan form's legendary regeneration kicked in almost immediately. Even compared to most ancient Zoans, her werewolf form granted her superior healing capabilities. Bones that had shattered moments ago began to knit back together, her body defying what should have been incapacitating damage.

But Lucci gave her no reprieve.

"Don't get up." His voice was calm, a sharp contrast to the chaos around them, as he moved with blistering speed. He launched a barrage of strikes, each punch and kick enhanced by his armament haki.

Livia, despite her strength, found herself forced onto the defensive. Her claws flashed as she parried and countered, the battlefield ringing with the clash of their attacks.

For a moment, she saw an opening. She ducked low, using her immense strength to drive both of her haki-infused claws upward in a devastating double slash aimed for Lucci's chest.

But Lucci's instincts were razor-sharp. He twisted mid-air, his scaled tail whipping around to intercept the attack. The tail slammed into her claws with such force that her arms were knocked aside, leaving her open. Lucci capitalized immediately, his foot driving into her side with a roundhouse kick that sent her sprawling.

Livia landed on all fours, her claws digging into the sand as she snarled. Her runes glowed brighter, the crimson and silver patterns etched into her fur pulsing as if responding to her rage. With a deafening howl, she leaped forward, her claws extended, aiming to tear Lucci apart. This time, her movements were erratic and wild, a desperate attempt to catch him off guard.

Lucci sidestepped effortlessly, his movements almost lazy in their precision. He caught one of her claws mid-swing, his armament-coated hand gripping it tightly.

"You rely too much on instincts," Lucci said coldly, his golden eyes narrowing. "But instincts alone won't save you."

With a sharp twist, he spun her around, using her own momentum against her. Before she could react, he slammed her into the ground with such force that the entire beach seemed to buckle. Sand erupted into the air in a massive plume as a crater formed beneath her massive frame.

Livia roared, her pride refusing to let her stay down. She lunged upward, her claws slashing wildly, but Lucci was relentless. He ducked under her strikes, his movements fluid and calculated, and retaliated with a flurry of his own. Each punch and kick landed with crushing power, her body absorbing the brunt of the damage thanks to her Zoan form, but the strain was beginning to show.

In desperation, Livia lashed out with her teeth, snapping at Lucci's neck with the full force of her werewolf jaws. For the first time, Lucci seemed to give her effort some credit, as he leaned back just enough to evade the lethal bite.

"Better," he admitted, his voice calm and infuriatingly composed.

But as Livia tried to press her advantage, Lucci's counterattack was already underway. His claws, coated in armament haki, raked across her chest, the force sending her stumbling back. His tail whipped around again, catching her squarely in the side and sending her crashing into a jagged rock formation.

The edge of the battlefield was steeped in chaos, the clash of titans echoing across the sands of Bellaterra. At the periphery, away from the immediate violence, a tall, cloaked figure stood amidst a handful of stunned onlookers. His presence, though unassuming to the untrained eye, radiated an unmistakable gravity—this was a man accustomed to command, a man with secrets as heavy as the mantle he bore.

Dragon exhaled slowly, his words meant for no one but himself. "Sigh… I knew they were up to something, but I never thought they'd have the gall to stir up trouble in Donquixote territory. This is going to be a pain to explain to that kid…" His voice was low, carrying the weight of exasperation and urgency. His sharp eyes scanned the battlefield as he tried to piece together a solution.

But then, a chill ran down his spine.

A presence—not just powerful, but suffocatingly so—descended like a storm upon him. His finely-honed observation haki flared, warning him of imminent danger, but it was already too late. The source of that overwhelming pressure had arrived.

"Long time no see, Dragon-san," came a calm, almost disarmingly soft voice, cutting through the din of battle with razor-like precision. "I wonder... did you have anything to do with this little commotion your men have caused in my territory?"

I emerged from the shadows with an unhurried gait, my very steps seeming to command the space around me. Though Dragon was shrouded in his cloak, there was no hiding from me. My haki had already pierced through his façade the moment I stepped onto the battlefield.

"Your ability to slip past my observation haki is... impressive," Dragon admitted, his voice steady, though his eyes flickered with a mix of wariness and respect.

Dragon's posture stiffened. Beneath his hood, his eyes narrowed, his mind racing to assess the situation. "So, you found me. Impressive... though I expected no less." His voice was steady, but there was no mistaking the underlying tension.

"Found you?" I chuckled, my tone laced with amusement. "Don't flatter yourself Dragon san. Did you really think you could enter Donquixote territory unnoticed? Especially with that rabble of yours stirring up trouble?" My gaze shifted briefly to the battlefield where Issho was locked in a brutal clash, my golden eyes narrowing.

"It's just a misunderstanding…!" Dragon added he knew further conflict was only going to put them at more of a disadvantage, especially with how that monster of a kid was pummeling Livia.

I chuckled softly, the sound almost drowned out by the distant sound of Issho's blade clashing with the mysterious fighter. "Perhaps, but what truly caught my attention wasn't you nor the commotion your men are causing, Dragon-san, but him."

I gestured with a subtle tilt of my head toward the battlefield, where Issho and his opponent were locked in a fierce struggle.

Dragon followed my gaze, and though he tried to maintain his composure, the flicker of recognition in his eyes betrayed him. His jaw tightened as my words struck home.

"Who would've thought? After all these years, he's alive... and now fighting under your banner. What a curious twist of fate."

The tension in the air grew heavier, the unspoken implications of my words hanging between us. Dragon knew exactly who I was referring to—and the complications that revelation would bring.