Chapter 71: A Sister's Failed Warning
—
Sprawled on the floor with her eyes wide, Nami stared at the distancing Cocoyashi Village. The ship moved at a stunning speed, leaving the village behind, and in a few minutes, it became just another spot in the sea.
Nami got up from her spot and hastily turned around to glare at Hashirama, who was near her.
"Why did you do that?"
"After a loud argument over the call, my sister started hunting for me,"
“….”
Nami wondered why he said that as if he was reciting a book's title, but his tone returned to normal after that.
"All right, I am sorry. But, didn't you already meet everyone when they came to see you earlier? No need to waste any more time saying goodbyes. I don't like goodbyes."
Saying proper goodbyes always left a strange feeling of emptiness within Hashirama, even if the other party wasn't anyone important. For example, Mont Blanc Cricket. So unless necessary, he liked to just dip randomly.
"But still, you are wicked for that. The very least you can do for your new crewmate is to let her say goodbye to her friends and family," said one girl amidst one of the three girls (and one duck) who was right beside Hashirama and Nami.
Robin slipped into the conversation when she saw a chance. With a book in one of her hands, she wore a simple white shirt and long pants; walking to Nami she gently patted her shoulder.
"You'll get used to his weirdness, don't worry. Welcome aboard, I'm Nico Robin."
Nami sighed and shot Hashirama one last glare. Then she turned to get a proper look at all members of the crew. The girls other than Robin.
Wearing a short black shirt showing her midriff, coupled with tight purple shorts, was a blue-haired girl. She gave Nami a broad smile.
"Hi, I'm Nefertari Vivi. But just Vivi is fine,"
Vivi said, waving her hand and smiling like an amicable friend. Nami felt a little awkward because she recognized this girl from the newspaper she read. Unlike an orphan like her, that was a princess right there. A spoiled princess who fled her country with her friend. Still, Nami couldn't help but smile back.
Then, her eyes moved to the blonde woman with short hair in a bob cut. She wore a yellow long-sleeved top and a cute white hat. For a moment, Nami felt something weird as she looked at the woman. She couldn't exactly tell what the problem was, however.
"It's Mikita. No last name. Good to meet you."
"Aha…"
Nami noticed that her introduction was a little colder than the others. But she didn't judge her for that, as it was the first time they were meeting, and cold didn't mean aggressive.
What she did judge was Hashirama. Why were all his crewmates female? Then again, based on his behavior these past few days, it made sense.
In another corner of the deck, there was the large duck to whom Nami had gotten accustomed by now. The duck put a hand on her chest and yelled "Karoo Karoo Karoo!".
Nami happily received that introduction as well and spoke for the first time.
"I'm Nami. From that village, we just left. I guess I will be your ship's navigator starting from now on."
"Yup, yup. Welcome our new mate and be sure to get along."
Hashirama said, crossing his arms and smiling.
"Also make a note – Nami isn't just the Senju Pirates’ navigator, she is one of our fighters too. She is not a weakling who can't protect herself, unlike a certain two of us six present here. She has eaten the Bomb-Bomb Fruit, something we all should be familiar with."
Other than the fact that he jabbed at Mikita and Robin, the fruit’s revelation got a reaction from the others.
Robin and Vivi looked pleasantly surprised, while Mikita blinked in shock.
"The Bomb-Bomb Fruit?!" they exclaimed together.
Other than Vivi, who only knew its name, the other two girls had a very refined idea of what the powers and potential of that fruit were, more so for Mikita. After all, she was partnered with the last user of that fruit for quite some time. The power and destruction she saw were quite thrilling.
Nami knew the fruit she got was quite strong, but given their reaction, she suddenly had an idea just how special it really was.
* * *
Hashirama and crew had things to talk about while also deciding on their next route. While they did that, Tsunade had already been alerted of his location by Hina and later notified by Smoker that he fled from Cocoyashi Village too.
So, she had come to the Reverse Mountain’s entrance to catch him for when he was to inevitably come out.
To her shock, she wasn’t the only one here. When she was close enough to the Reverse Mountain that she could see it from afar, she noticed another marine ship also moving towards the mountain.
"That irritating bastard is really after Shira."
Tsunade couldn't help but clench her jaws in anger. Standing on the deck of her large warship, she used a pair of binoculars to look into the other ship.
That ship wasn't hers.
While Tsunade's ship was a large marine warship, the other ship that was nearby was much smaller. But it did sail the marine flag. There was only one person on that ship, it was that small, and that one person was staring back at her. He wasn't even using binoculars.
The man was built like a brick wall. Vice-Admiral Vergo, the vicious mole within the marines that Tsunade was avoiding until now. That bastard was here.
As per Fleet Admiral Sengoku's order, it was only Tsunade who was to go after Hashirama. Vergo was strictly told not to meddle in this.
Yet,
"Fucking bastard. I see what you’re doing."
Here he was.
"Lady Tsunade, I've connected a call with that ship."
From beside Tsunade, Marianne said as she handed over a snail.
"Good job. Hello?"
As Tsunade took the call, she saw Vergo turning away from the ship and picking up his pocket snail.
– ["A coincidence to meet here. What are you doing here? It can't be that Vice Admiral Tsunade's younger brother is in one of the weak blues?"]
"How about you stop acting like an oblivious little shit and get to the point? You think I'm that stupid? You come here now, on my ship, and we have a talk. Why is Doflamingo after my brother so hard?"
— ["...That's quite the words you just spoke.”]
The voice suddenly went cold on the other side. Vergo realized the sheer meaning behind her words. Tsunade Senju knew who he truly was.
— ["Fine, we should stop the pretentious game. I was here in the name of capturing a pirate anyway, so I can always say our Vice-Admiral Tsunade encountered that pirate and got killed, along with her entire crew."]
Tsunade watched through her binoculars as Vergo cut the call. Then, he was no more on his ship. He disappeared, and the next series of actions all happened in an instant.
Including Marianne, the soldiers that were near Tsunade heard the call full and clear. They were thinking their Vice-Admiral was just overreacting, that she had gone crazy and talking about Doflamingo and Vergo for whatever reason. However, hearing Vergo's last threat, they panicked.
Then, an ominous figure appeared in the sky.
"-Look out!"
Marianne yelled to warn everyone; Tsunade had already readied herself.
Vergo, who had disappeared just now, had appeared right above their ship, coated in Armament Haki from head to toe, looking like a tank ready to go and explode. As if to explode indeed, his legs moved like crashing waves.
[Tempest Kick!]
A tall crescent of a wind slash rushed towards the ship.
One of Tsunade’s legs raised upwards, the large muscular thigh cutting through the air, as it shot a countered slash of wind forward. She just used the same technique.
– Chiiiuccht!
The two slashes clashed, and then they burst into essence, causing the wind to fasten in the area.
Vergo was a professional. He didn't wait before launching the next series of attacks. He maintained his form in the air using [Moon Walk], and he kept shooting Tempest Kick at the ship.
His target wasn't Tsunade or any other soldier in particular. He liked to be quick with his jobs, and he knew the quickest way to defeat this woman was to drown her ship since she was a Devil Fruit user.
Tsunade continued to counter the wind slashes with her own, even using the wind powers of her Devil Fruit. But even so, she was just one person. Marianne helped, and a few others did too, but the higher position of Vergo was too beneficial for him.
In a few mere seconds, the ship was wrecked badly. It started to crash into the water.
"Lady T-Tsunade! Be careful!"
Marianne yelled from afar, while the blonde woman clenched her teeth.
Sky Step wasn't hard. She could do it too. But it wasn't wise to fight in the sky like that. Vergo would have the upper hand, with his goal being to throw her in the water below. It would be a mistake if the fight got aerial.
So,
Tsunade used her Devil Fruit.
"[Stage 4]"
Tsunade's skin turned white. As did her hair, while her nails, her lips, and her brown eyes went icy blue.
– Dddiuggghhh!
The ship crashed to the side.
And the sea froze immediately.
Instead of drowning, the ship was stuck in a side position. It wasn’t the only thing stuck, however. Miles after miles, as Vergo's eyes followed, he noticed the line of white ice that layered over the sea.
Tsunade jumped over the ship and stood up on its side, which was now on top, as she looked at Vergo. She had a swirl of white wind around her, as if a snowstorm, as she raised her hands at him.
Then, Tsunade blasted both her palms to release two beams forward.
[Frostbite of Death]
Vergo was alarmed by the incoming lethality; he focused his Haki further on his body and tried to slap the beams away.
He realized the mistake when he noted the damage he received. Slapping had worked, but it also left his right hand frozen in place.
When the beams ended, Vergo shot a look down at Tsunade. He used his other hand to chop on the ice of his arm, slowly breaking it, as he spoke.
"Elemental-Elemental Fruit, huh? When I heard it the first time, I knew there was something off. A Paramecia fruit that allows transformation? That is quite the fierce thing you have there."
"You don't say?"
Tsunade kicked the ground. She had no desire to explain her true powers to him when even Hashirama didn't know.
Vergo was surprised at the speed she displayed. She appeared before him, hand curled into a fist, coated with white ice that became black, thanks to her concentration on Armament Haki.
Vergo could see the attack coming, but he wasn't in the state to dodge. He was still trying to break his other arm free, but he was too late.
The punch connected to Vergo's face. It connected on the side of his face where a spoon was stuck, thanks to his unusual comical eating habit.
So, his teeth broke from the impact and he was thrown up into the sky.
Tsunade groaned and followed up after Vergo. She appeared above him faster and punched his other cheek.
– Shiuuuung!
The sound barrier broke, and ice spikes on her fist penetrated Vergo's Haki-coated chin.
Vergo propelled downward like a meteorite and hit the ice sea.
Tsunade kicked the sky and rushed downwards. She chanted as she was coming down.
"[Stage 3]"
Her white skin turned red, as did her white hair. But very unlike her ice form, she wasn't even solid this time. She became flames. As if she was a logia, Tsunade became an untouchable fire-human
In her fiery appearance, she stopped in mid-air easily, flying without the help of Sky Walk.
Tsunade brought her hands upwards and then swung them down. A fire was caught in the mere air, and it swirled to form nine serpents, nine coiling pillars that went down in the form of excruciatingly hot fire.
[Fiery Dragon – Nine Heavens]
The dragons swirled towards Vergo, where he had fallen in the frozen sea, and all hit landed right on him.
The fire hit his spot, and the ice melted. The Haki-imbued fire easily turned that part of the ocean back to liquid. It was just hot enough to sweep past Vergo's coat of Haki, as well.
"Grgghh!"
It didn't help that he fell on the water, water that was cold in some parts and too hot in others. Rapidly, even as he realized he couldn't win and tried to swim away, Tsunade shot beams of fire from her hands and overcharged the water to boiling point.
"Arrghh!"
Vergo had no choice but to jump out to the surface, his skin red and his Haki not entirely covering him any longer. Since this was near the shore, the sea wasn't very deep, and Tsunade had turned the water nearby too hot for him to run.
"I warned you!"
Tsunade growled, her voice ghastly in her current fire form. Howling like a monster, she flew toward the spy Vice-Admiral.
Vergo barely managed to use Moon Walk to jump in the air, away from the boiling water, but he didn’t manage to resist Tsunade who was rushing at him.
Tsunade reached him and grabbed him by the throat.
"I fucking warned you!"
"Keugh-!"
Holding him mid-air, her fiery eyes stared deep into his soul. The sunglasses he always wore had burned into his skin, causing his eyes to be damaged but visible as he stared shakily into her eyes.
Tsunade didn't waste time talking; she didn't allow him to say anything either. With her hand tight around his throat, her Haki-imbued fire eating at his coat of Haki, she decided on his fate.
[Hell Fire of Disintegration]
A burst of chakra swept out of her hand, enhancing her Devil Fruit power, as her fire turned blue and vaporized his throat.
In an instant, the neck that connected Vergo's body with his head melted and vanished. His body, neck down, fell to the sea, while his gruesome head rested on Tsunade's grip.
"I fucking warned you... that nobody goes after him," Tsunade growled like a monster. "Not as long as I'm here."
Tsunade Senju dropped the potential killer of her brother’s head and kicked it like a football; it flew up towards the red mountain in the far and vanished into the sky.
**
**
**
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Chapter 71: A Sister's Failed Warning
—
Sprawled on the floor with her eyes wide, Nami stared at the distancing Cocoyashi Village. The ship moved at a stunning speed, leaving the village behind, and in a few minutes, it became just another spot in the sea.
Nami got up from her spot and hastily turned around to glare at Hashirama, who was near her.
"Why did you do that?"
"After a loud argument over the call, my sister started hunting for me,"
“….”
Nami wondered why he said that as if he was reciting a book's title, but his tone returned to normal after that.
"All right, I am sorry. But, didn't you already meet everyone when they came to see you earlier? No need to waste any more time saying goodbyes. I don't like goodbyes."
Saying proper goodbyes always left a strange feeling of emptiness within Hashirama, even if the other party wasn't anyone important. For example, Mont Blanc Cricket. So unless necessary, he liked to just dip randomly.
"But still, you are wicked for that. The very least you can do for your new crewmate is to let her say goodbye to her friends and family," said one girl amidst one of the three girls (and one duck) who was right beside Hashirama and Nami.
Robin slipped into the conversation when she saw a chance. With a book in one of her hands, she wore a simple white shirt and long pants; walking to Nami she gently patted her shoulder.
"You'll get used to his weirdness, don't worry. Welcome aboard, I'm Nico Robin."
Nami sighed and shot Hashirama one last glare. Then she turned to get a proper look at all members of the crew. The girls other than Robin.
Wearing a short black shirt showing her midriff, coupled with tight purple shorts, was a blue-haired girl. She gave Nami a broad smile.
"Hi, I'm Nefertari Vivi. But just Vivi is fine,"
Vivi said, waving her hand and smiling like an amicable friend. Nami felt a little awkward because she recognized this girl from the newspaper she read. Unlike an orphan like her, that was a princess right there. A spoiled princess who fled her country with her friend. Still, Nami couldn't help but smile back.
Then, her eyes moved to the blonde woman with short hair in a bob cut. She wore a yellow long-sleeved top and a cute white hat. For a moment, Nami felt something weird as she looked at the woman. She couldn't exactly tell what the problem was, however.
"It's Mikita. No last name. Good to meet you."
"Aha…"
Nami noticed that her introduction was a little colder than the others. But she didn't judge her for that, as it was the first time they were meeting, and cold didn't mean aggressive.
What she did judge was Hashirama. Why were all his crewmates female? Then again, based on his behavior these past few days, it made sense.
In another corner of the deck, there was the large duck to whom Nami had gotten accustomed by now. The duck put a hand on her chest and yelled "Karoo Karoo Karoo!".
Nami happily received that introduction as well and spoke for the first time.
"I'm Nami. From that village, we just left. I guess I will be your ship's navigator starting from now on."
"Yup, yup. Welcome our new mate and be sure to get along."
Hashirama said, crossing his arms and smiling.
"Also make a note – Nami isn't just the Senju Pirates’ navigator, she is one of our fighters too. She is not a weakling who can't protect herself, unlike a certain two of us six present here. She has eaten the Bomb-Bomb Fruit, something we all should be familiar with."
Other than the fact that he jabbed at Mikita and Robin, the fruit’s revelation got a reaction from the others.
Robin and Vivi looked pleasantly surprised, while Mikita blinked in shock.
"The Bomb-Bomb Fruit?!" they exclaimed together.
Other than Vivi, who only knew its name, the other two girls had a very refined idea of what the powers and potential of that fruit were, more so for Mikita. After all, she was partnered with the last user of that fruit for quite some time. The power and destruction she saw were quite thrilling.
Nami knew the fruit she got was quite strong, but given their reaction, she suddenly had an idea just how special it really was.
* * *
Hashirama and crew had things to talk about while also deciding on their next route. While they did that, Tsunade had already been alerted of his location by Hina and later notified by Smoker that he fled from Cocoyashi Village too.
So, she had come to the Reverse Mountain’s entrance to catch him for when he was to inevitably come out.
To her shock, she wasn’t the only one here. When she was close enough to the Reverse Mountain that she could see it from afar, she noticed another marine ship also moving towards the mountain.
"That irritating bastard is really after Shira."
Tsunade couldn't help but clench her jaws in anger. Standing on the deck of her large warship, she used a pair of binoculars to look into the other ship.
That ship wasn't hers.
While Tsunade's ship was a large marine warship, the other ship that was nearby was much smaller. But it did sail the marine flag. There was only one person on that ship, it was that small, and that one person was staring back at her. He wasn't even using binoculars.
The man was built like a brick wall. Vice-Admiral Vergo, the vicious mole within the marines that Tsunade was avoiding until now. That bastard was here.
As per Fleet Admiral Sengoku's order, it was only Tsunade who was to go after Hashirama. Vergo was strictly told not to meddle in this.
Yet,
"Fucking bastard. I see what you’re doing."
Here he was.
"Lady Tsunade, I've connected a call with that ship."
From beside Tsunade, Marianne said as she handed over a snail.
"Good job. Hello?"
As Tsunade took the call, she saw Vergo turning away from the ship and picking up his pocket snail.
– ["A coincidence to meet here. What are you doing here? It can't be that Vice Admiral Tsunade's younger brother is in one of the weak blues?"]
"How about you stop acting like an oblivious little shit and get to the point? You think I'm that stupid? You come here now, on my ship, and we have a talk. Why is Doflamingo after my brother so hard?"
— ["...That's quite the words you just spoke.”]
The voice suddenly went cold on the other side. Vergo realized the sheer meaning behind her words. Tsunade Senju knew who he truly was.
— ["Fine, we should stop the pretentious game. I was here in the name of capturing a pirate anyway, so I can always say our Vice-Admiral Tsunade encountered that pirate and got killed, along with her entire crew."]
Tsunade watched through her binoculars as Vergo cut the call. Then, he was no more on his ship. He disappeared, and the next series of actions all happened in an instant.
Including Marianne, the soldiers that were near Tsunade heard the call full and clear. They were thinking their Vice-Admiral was just overreacting, that she had gone crazy and talking about Doflamingo and Vergo for whatever reason. However, hearing Vergo's last threat, they panicked.
Then, an ominous figure appeared in the sky.
"-Look out!"
Marianne yelled to warn everyone; Tsunade had already readied herself.
Vergo, who had disappeared just now, had appeared right above their ship, coated in Armament Haki from head to toe, looking like a tank ready to go and explode. As if to explode indeed, his legs moved like crashing waves.
[Tempest Kick!]
A tall crescent of a wind slash rushed towards the ship.
One of Tsunade’s legs raised upwards, the large muscular thigh cutting through the air, as it shot a countered slash of wind forward. She just used the same technique.
– Chiiiuccht!
The two slashes clashed, and then they burst into essence, causing the wind to fasten in the area.
Vergo was a professional. He didn't wait before launching the next series of attacks. He maintained his form in the air using [Moon Walk], and he kept shooting Tempest Kick at the ship.
His target wasn't Tsunade or any other soldier in particular. He liked to be quick with his jobs, and he knew the quickest way to defeat this woman was to drown her ship since she was a Devil Fruit user.
Tsunade continued to counter the wind slashes with her own, even using the wind powers of her Devil Fruit. But even so, she was just one person. Marianne helped, and a few others did too, but the higher position of Vergo was too beneficial for him.
In a few mere seconds, the ship was wrecked badly. It started to crash into the water.
"Lady T-Tsunade! Be careful!"
Marianne yelled from afar, while the blonde woman clenched her teeth.
Sky Step wasn't hard. She could do it too. But it wasn't wise to fight in the sky like that. Vergo would have the upper hand, with his goal being to throw her in the water below. It would be a mistake if the fight got aerial.
So,
Tsunade used her Devil Fruit.
"[Stage 4]"
Tsunade's skin turned white. As did her hair, while her nails, her lips, and her brown eyes went icy blue.
– Dddiuggghhh!
The ship crashed to the side.
And the sea froze immediately.
Instead of drowning, the ship was stuck in a side position. It wasn’t the only thing stuck, however. Miles after miles, as Vergo's eyes followed, he noticed the line of white ice that layered over the sea.
Tsunade jumped over the ship and stood up on its side, which was now on top, as she looked at Vergo. She had a swirl of white wind around her, as if a snowstorm, as she raised her hands at him.
Then, Tsunade blasted both her palms to release two beams forward.
[Frostbite of Death]
Vergo was alarmed by the incoming lethality; he focused his Haki further on his body and tried to slap the beams away.
He realized the mistake when he noted the damage he received. Slapping had worked, but it also left his right hand frozen in place.
When the beams ended, Vergo shot a look down at Tsunade. He used his other hand to chop on the ice of his arm, slowly breaking it, as he spoke.
"Elemental-Elemental Fruit, huh? When I heard it the first time, I knew there was something off. A Paramecia fruit that allows transformation? That is quite the fierce thing you have there."
"You don't say?"
Tsunade kicked the ground. She had no desire to explain her true powers to him when even Hashirama didn't know.
Vergo was surprised at the speed she displayed. She appeared before him, hand curled into a fist, coated with white ice that became black, thanks to her concentration on Armament Haki.
Vergo could see the attack coming, but he wasn't in the state to dodge. He was still trying to break his other arm free, but he was too late.
The punch connected to Vergo's face. It connected on the side of his face where a spoon was stuck, thanks to his unusual comical eating habit.
So, his teeth broke from the impact and he was thrown up into the sky.
Tsunade groaned and followed up after Vergo. She appeared above him faster and punched his other cheek.
– Shiuuuung!
The sound barrier broke, and ice spikes on her fist penetrated Vergo's Haki-coated chin.
Vergo propelled downward like a meteorite and hit the ice sea.
Tsunade kicked the sky and rushed downwards. She chanted as she was coming down.
"[Stage 3]"
Her white skin turned red, as did her white hair. But very unlike her ice form, she wasn't even solid this time. She became flames. As if she was a logia, Tsunade became an untouchable fire-human
In her fiery appearance, she stopped in mid-air easily, flying without the help of Sky Walk.
Tsunade brought her hands upwards and then swung them down. A fire was caught in the mere air, and it swirled to form nine serpents, nine coiling pillars that went down in the form of excruciatingly hot fire.
[Fiery Dragon – Nine Heavens]
The dragons swirled towards Vergo, where he had fallen in the frozen sea, and all hit landed right on him.
The fire hit his spot, and the ice melted. The Haki-imbued fire easily turned that part of the ocean back to liquid. It was just hot enough to sweep past Vergo's coat of Haki, as well.
"Grgghh!"
It didn't help that he fell on the water, water that was cold in some parts and too hot in others. Rapidly, even as he realized he couldn't win and tried to swim away, Tsunade shot beams of fire from her hands and overcharged the water to boiling point.
"Arrghh!"
Vergo had no choice but to jump out to the surface, his skin red and his Haki not entirely covering him any longer. Since this was near the shore, the sea wasn't very deep, and Tsunade had turned the water nearby too hot for him to run.
"I warned you!"
Tsunade growled, her voice ghastly in her current fire form. Howling like a monster, she flew toward the spy Vice-Admiral.
Vergo barely managed to use Moon Walk to jump in the air, away from the boiling water, but he didn’t manage to resist Tsunade who was rushing at him.
Tsunade reached him and grabbed him by the throat.
"I fucking warned you!"
"Keugh-!"
Holding him mid-air, her fiery eyes stared deep into his soul. The sunglasses he always wore had burned into his skin, causing his eyes to be damaged but visible as he stared shakily into her eyes.
Tsunade didn't waste time talking; she didn't allow him to say anything either. With her hand tight around his throat, her Haki-imbued fire eating at his coat of Haki, she decided on his fate.
[Hell Fire of Disintegration]
A burst of chakra swept out of her hand, enhancing her Devil Fruit power, as her fire turned blue and vaporized his throat.
In an instant, the neck that connected Vergo's body with his head melted and vanished. His body, neck down, fell to the sea, while his gruesome head rested on Tsunade's grip.
"I fucking warned you... that nobody goes after him," Tsunade growled like a monster. "Not as long as I'm here."
Tsunade Senju dropped the potential killer of her brother’s head and kicked it like a football; it flew up towards the red mountain in the far and vanished into the sky.
**
**
**
If you wish to read [the next 20] chapters right away, visit my Patreøn.
Link: Patreøn.cøm/Master4thWall
