One Piece: The Arm of Fate

Cherry blossoms fell like rain, drifting between the two of them.

In just a few seconds—

The dazed looks on Akainu and Shano's faces vanished.

Both narrowed their eyes slightly at the same time.

…

North Island, Pier

Dalmatian, chomping on a cigar, was overseeing the marines boarding the ships when the Den Den Mushi in his pocket suddenly rang out: "Brruru, brruru—"

"Hello?"

As he listened to the voice giving commands on the other end, Dalmatian's expression changed drastically.

"Yes! Sakazuki-san, we will complete the mission without fail!"

Just as he hung up—

Another Vice Admiral from HQ, Bumaya, came rushing over excitedly.

"What happened? What's going on?"

"That swordsman Shano and his crew are on South Island."

Dalmatian turned with a fierce glint in his eyes.

"Admiral Sakazuki is already fighting Shano. He should take him down soon, we won't need to get involved."

"Our mission is to take down the rest of the Fallen Pirates. Move fast—don't let a single one escape!"

"OOOHH!!!"

Bumaya suddenly raised both arms and cheered maniacally. Her beautiful face twisted in excitement as she licked her crimson lips.

"Fantastic! Long live Sakazuki-san! Finally, some action!"

She spun on her heel like a giddy little girl who just got candy, skipping toward the deck.

"…"

Dalmatian glanced at her back and shook his head.

He didn't know this colleague well, but had heard she was a moody lunatic—idolized Akainu, enjoyed torturing pirates for fun, and possessed an eerie Devil Fruit ability.

If they hadn't been assigned to this mission together, he would never willingly go near her.

But now wasn't the time to think about that.

He suppressed those thoughts and barked orders again:

"All hands, listen up! Any marines who haven't boarded—stop now! Leave one warship behind as backup. All others, set sail immediately and reroute!"

"Block off the coastline near South Island's port! The moment you spot a suspicious figure—surround and capture them on sight!"

"Yes, Vice Admiral!"

Marines echoed in unison with thunderous voices.

…

South Island, Cherry Blossom Forest

"Big bro?"

Nami looked puzzled at the Den Den Mushi in her hands.

"Huh? That's weird, why did it suddenly go silent?"

"Move, Nami!"

Shano's voice came through, deep and urgent.

"Marine Admiral Akainu is here on this island—he's facing off with me. His forces are already headed your way to hunt the rest of you down."

"No time to waste—get everyone out of here now!"

Marine Admiral… Akainu?!

Nami froze. The others also turned pale, exchanging glances.

"Hey, everyone can hear this too, right?"

Shano's voice came again, filled with unshakable resolve.

"Make it clear to Nami—don't even think about rushing over to help. That'll only get you all killed!"

"I can only break free if I know you're all safe—got it?!"

Click!

The Den Den Mushi hung up. Silence fell.

"Move!"

Smoker was the first to snap out of it. Looking in a specific direction, he gritted his teeth.

"Several warships are approaching fast. Let's go—now's not the time to hesitate!"

"But my brother's still—!" Nami panicked, trying to speak, but was yanked back by Zeff.

"Don't be stupid, Nami!"

The old chef, rarely so harsh, scolded her loudly.

"Didn't you hear your brother? That level of battle—there's nothing we can do!"

"If the captain says he has a plan, then trust him! The best way to help is to get out of here alive!"

"Exactly!" Nojiko grabbed her sister's arm firmly.

"Nami, believe in him—he's never taken risks without a reason."

"But…" Nami turned toward the stone bridge, eyes full of worry.

Thwack!

A precise karate chop hit her neck. Nami's eyes rolled back as she fainted and collapsed.

Kuina retracted her hand, expressionless as she caught Nami in her arms.

"Sorry, but now's not the time to argue with kids."

"Let's go, everyone!"

Carrying Nami on her shoulder, she gave a deep glance to the north before sprinting toward the island's southern docks.

The rest of the crew quickly followed.

…

Beside the Stone Bridge

Shano and Akainu simultaneously put away their Den Den Mushi and locked eyes once again.

"You alerted your subordinates while I contacted mine, huh?"

Akainu spoke calmly.

"Pretty loyal, brat. But trying to stall me alone so they can escape—"

"—don't you think that's a bit too far-fetched?"

Whoosh!

Before the sentence even finished, Akainu had already launched his attack without warning.

In the blink of an eye, he disappeared from the opposite side.

His voice finished mid-air, now coming from above Shano's head.

His right arm had expanded into a massive magma fist, roaring as it smashed down!

BOOM!!!

The magma fist tore through the air, the searing heat instantly vaporizing the cherry blossoms mid-fall—turning them into a fiery downpour.

Terrifying speed!

Shano's pupils shrank. His back tensed, and he dodged sideways just in time.

The magma barely grazed his cheek as it slammed into the ground, blasting a massive crater.

"Old man."

Steadying himself, Shano looked at Akainu, grinning.

"You started the conversation—at least finish what you were saying before striking. Sneak attacks like this… not very admiral-like, huh?"

"Admiral-like? I've got no such word in my vocabulary."

Akainu's expression was icy as his magma boiled violently from both arms.

"You're fast, but how many more can you dodge?"

"Meteor Blaze!"

In an instant—

Akainu's fists erupted into countless magma projectiles, crashing down like a meteor shower.

The ground beneath Shano's feet cracked. He pushed off with explosive force.

In his Paper Drawing form, his agility was pushed to its limit!

Boom boom boom—!

Magma bombs slammed into the earth, each one creating massive fireballs dozens of meters high.

The cherry blossom forest around them warped and melted in the extreme heat, turning to scorched earth.

Shano's figure danced like a phantom through the molten storm. Explosions rang constantly at his ears.

Akainu's assault only intensified—magma crashing down like tsunamis.

But Shano dodged every single blast.

His mastery of Soru and Geppo had reached perfection.

Hm?

He really dodged all of that?

Akainu raised an eyebrow, surprised.

Purely based on Rokushiki mastery, this black-haired kid was nearly on par with him and Aokiji.

In fact, he even surpassed Kizaru in raw technique.

But—

It ends here.

"Got you."

A red gleam flickered in Akainu's eyes—Kenbunshoku Haki pinpointed Shano's landing.

He flashed forward and launched a devastating right hook.

"Hellhound!"

The punch struck like lightning, unavoidable.

Shano crossed his arms to block, instantly activating Tekkai and Busoshoku Haki at full power!

THOOM!!!

His Haki cracked after a few seconds, and the impact sent him flying for hundreds of meters, smashing through cliff walls like a cannonball before coming to a stop.

"Kuh…"

Clutching his numb wrists, Shano slowly stood from the rubble.

His arms were burned and smoking, but the skin was already regenerating before the naked eye.

"…"

Akainu squinted.

That Hellhound attack might look simple, but it was one of his most lethal close-range techniques.

Its penetrating power could crush the skull of many well-known pirates in the New World.

But this guy—blocked it with his arms, suffering only surface wounds.

No Devil Fruit. No special bloodline.

Yet that body was as tough as one of Kaido's beasts.

Unbelievable…

Just how did he do it?

"Hey."

Shano's voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Is that all you've got?"

Akainu looked up expressionlessly.

Across from him, the black-haired boy casually wiped the blood off the corner of his mouth, cracked his neck with a series of pops, then grinned at him:

"Then my counterattack… is about to begin!"

Boom!

As soon as he spoke, the ground beneath his feet suddenly exploded. His whole body shot out like a black bolt of lightning, instantly closing in on Akainu!

Their fists collided. The Haki wrapped around their arms rippled out in layers, and a terrifying invisible shockwave exploded outward from the center of Shano's punch!

"Rokushiki Secret Technique – Yamabuki Ripple Dash!!!"

Southern Island, far south.

"Quick, move faster!"

Smoker lowered his voice and urged the group on. Under the cover of cherry blossom trees, they quickly moved toward the coast.

Zeff and Smoker were at the front clearing the path, followed by Kuina carrying an unconscious Nami, and Nojiko bringing up the rear.

Gin sprinted on the flank, with Mochi sitting on his head, scanning the surroundings alertly to guard against a surprise Marine ambush.

Their journey across the southern island went smoothly and without incident.

However…

When they burst out of the final grove of cherry trees and saw the coast right ahead—

The sight made everyone halt in place, faces turning grim—

Damn it, still too late!

The dock had already been completely sealed off!

Three Marine warships were arranged in a curved formation, their cannons pointed menacingly at the shore. Over two thousand fully armed Marines stood in tight formation.

And in the center of the dock, two tall figures in white "Justice" cloaks were watching them coldly.

"So they came after all…"

Vice Admiral Dalmatian bit down on his cigar and spoke calmly.

He had just arrived with his unit.

Thankfully, he had made the quick decision to leave behind the Marines who hadn't boarded the ships and immediately pursued—otherwise, these people really might have escaped.

It had been a while since he faced worthy opponents. He hoped these pirates wouldn't disappoint him.

Beside Dalmatian, Vice Admiral Bumaya licked her lips with a smile:

"So it's just this little group? Hey Dalmatian, how about you leave the two male pirates to me? I love hearing men scream…"

As she spoke, her right arm had somehow transformed into a massive metal syringe, the tip gleaming coldly.

A Paramecia-type—Syringe-Syringe Fruit user.

Over the years, countless enemies had screamed in agony under her needle, wishing for death.

And now, it seemed there were a few more good test subjects.

…

"Tch, what a hassle."

Smoker frowned and looked at Kuina. "We'll stay and cover. You take Nami and get her on the ship. Once you're set up, we'll retreat while fighting."

"What kind of stupid plan is that?"

Kuina gave him a look like he was an idiot.

"With how tightly they've surrounded the dock, you think you can just sail out? And Nami's still a fighter—we can't afford to waste her strength."

As she spoke, she shook Nami vigorously.

Her earlier karate chop hadn't been that forceful, so Nami had only fainted lightly. After a few shakes, she slowly woke up.

"Mm?"

Nami blinked groggily, looking around in confusion. Before she could say anything, Kuina patted her on the shoulder and said firmly:

"Same as before. Leave the grunts to you, Nami!"

"O-okay…"

Nami still hadn't figured out what was going on, but nodded instinctively.

"As for the two vice admirals… While their top-end power is more impressive than the squad guarding Kizaru before, their mid-level force might actually be weaker. Or maybe some of them were left back on North Island."

Kuina scanned the surrounding Marines and calmly assigned tasks:

"Gin, these guys are yours. Go all out this time—got it?!"

"Awoo—!"

Gin howled without hesitation.

Mochi was also eager to fight, but Kuina quickly stuffed him into her waist pouch and zipped it shut.

"As for those two HQ vice admirals…"

Kuina turned to Smoker again. "You know them, Smoke Guy? Which one's stronger?"

"…Since when did you start acting like the deputy captain?" Smoker asked, puzzled.

"Is this the time for jokes?!"

"The woman—I don't know her. Probably a newly promoted HQ vice admiral."

Smoker shook his head. "But that spotted dog is strong. He's been around a long time. He's about on par with Kizaru's personal guard."

"Got it."

Kuina pushed her thumb against the hilt and slowly drew Wado Ichimonji.

"In that case, the spotted dog's mine. Nojiko, back me up and help keep him busy. That female vice admiral—Smoker and Mr. Zeff, you take her!"

"No problem."

Zeff grinned.

Last time in Loguetown, the vice admiral he fought was way too weak and got stomped quickly. Not satisfying at all.

This time, he could finally test how strong a freshly promoted HQ vice admiral really was.

"Leave it to me!" Nojiko also put on her mythril gloves, smashing her fists together with a rising fighting spirit in her eyes.

If there was no escaping this…

Then all that was left was to fight with everything they had!

After over a month of hard training…

Compared to Loguetown, everyone here had now grasped Armament Haki, and their overall strength had risen sharply.

And now—wasn't this the perfect time to put all of that to the test?!

"In any case—don't get too caught up in fighting. Breaking through is our top priority."

Kuina took a deep breath and gave the final command in a firm voice:

"We have to break through and get far away from this island. Only then can the captain fight without holding back. Everyone, do you understand?!"

"Understood!"

Everyone answered in unison.

"Go!!"

With a shout, Kuina charged out first. The Marine artillerymen, who had long been in position, fired on Dalmatian's signal.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Dozens of cannons roared to life. In the flash of orange fire, black cannonballs rained down like a storm, instantly engulfing the coastline in smoke and flames.

"Kuwayan!!"

Wado Ichimonji slashed in a brilliant arc, releasing a massive wave of sword energy that cut all the cannonballs in half mid-air!

"Nice one!"

Smoker shouted and turned into a cloud of smoke. Like a white serpent, he darted through the Marine formation and headed straight for the female vice admiral.

"Now it's my turn!"

"Stop him!" A Marine captain roared, drawing his sword. But the next moment—

"Soru!"

Smoker suddenly flashed before him. His smoke-wrapped jitte, now covered in Haki, smashed down!

Crack!

The blade snapped. The captain coughed up blood and flew back, crashing into a row of Marines before falling unconscious.

"Same Marine rank, but it's like we're not even on the same level."

Smoker glanced at the man, biting his cigar, and exhaled a puff of smoke.