Nick swung his shovel in an upward arc, catching another pirate on the chin. He went flying ass over backwards before landing on his neck. It was safe to say he was no longer a threat, and added one more point to Nick's total, bringing him up to 23.

"Phew, that takes care of that," Nick said, wiping his brow clean of sweat, soot, dirt, blood and who knows what else. Best not to think about it. "Wonder how the others are doing?"

Taking a look around, he saw Zoro finishing up the last of the enemies near him. He swung his swords to remove the excess blood on them, but considering how much there was, Nick doubted that removed even half of it.

Sure looked cool though.

The brown haired man didn't even want to think about how many points Zoro had accumulated since the battle started. If the rate he was cutting them down earlier was any indication, Nick was pretty sure he lost the bet. But he had until the whole battle was over, so he still had some time.

"And then there's this guy," Nick thought, staring at Luffy, who just Gum-Gum Whipped about twelve people into a burning building. Shitty way to die, but Nick's pity well was pretty much empty. He needed what was left for himself.

After all, the rubber man had almost certainly scored higher than himself after arriving half way through, he felt he deserved some pity. Just not from the two assholes in the lead. Not that Luffy knew there was a competition in the first place, or what the stakes were.

But still…

Seeing that the coast was clear, Nick took a seat on a nice, comfy barrel, one that hasn't caught on fire yet. He watched the other two look around for more enemies, saw that there was none, and made their way towards him.

"Well, that takes care of that," Zoro muttered, unknowingly mimicking Nick, wiping his blade clean using the torn shirt of one of his victims. Once he was done, he sheathed it next to the other two.

"They weren't so tough," Luffy laughed, hands behind his head.

"No, but there sure were a lot of them. What a pain in the ass," Zoro muttered, angry at not being given a real challenge. Even with the wounds he suffered from Sham, it didn't add to the difficulty of the fight.

"Tell me about it. I'm exhausted," Nick said with a sigh. Unfortunately, this was likely just the opening salvo, meaning he couldn't afford to give in to the desire to sleep.

"Probably because you were swinging around that damn shovel," said Zoro, crossing his arms over his chest.

"What!? How dare you! Shovels are the pinnacle of human society. They're cheap, make excellent tools, and can even be used as a weapon. Besides, I don't want to hear that from a guy who fights with a damn sword in his mouth," Nick argued, pointing a finger at Zoro, who gained a tick mark.

"What was that?"

"You heard me green bean!"

Their arguing was cut short by a building collapsing to the side. They turned their attention to it, remembering where they were.

"Right. We should probably get back to the others," Nick mumbled, suddenly worried about them. In the heat of battle, he sort of just… forgot, focusing on staying alive. But now that the battle was over, or at least, this one was, his worry returned tenfold.

"Yeah. Who knows what could be going on at the mansion," Zoro said, looking in the direction of said mansion. Or at least, that's where Nick assumed he wanted to look. Because he was currently looking in the opposite direction.

"Wrong way big guy," Nick told him. A blush appeared on his face but of course he didn't own up to his mistake.

"Tsk, whatever, let's go!" he said, taking off in the right direction. Who knows if it'll stay that way, but at least he was off to a good start.

"Right! We won't let them hurt our friends!" Luffy shouted. He thrust his fist into his hand, his eyes hard, before he took off after Zoro. Nick stood up and made to follow when a gunshot rang out.

"Ah!" he yelled in pain, falling to the ground. The other two, hearing the gunshot and Nick's shout, turned to look at him, seeing him clutching his bleeding leg.

"Nick!" Luffy shouted, stopping to run back. Looking at his friend, grabbing his leg in agony, made him absolutely furious. And he wasn't the only one, as Zoro glared in the direction the shot came from.

"Looks like we missed one," he growled, drawing his swords. Luffy made it to Nick just as another gunshot rang out. He stopped with his arms raised up, the bullet hitting his chest before being bounced away.

Zoro charged forward, heading directly towards the soon to be dead man. The other pirate saw him coming, and to his eyes, it looked like a demon was charging at him. He panicked and began firing wildly at him. But any bullet that even came close was deflected by one of his swords.

There was no preamble when Zoro cut him down. One second he was in front of the guy, and the next he was past him, swords raised with a drop of blood falling from each one. The gunmen then fall to the ground, very much not alive anymore.

Zoro turned around and saw Luffy fretting over Nick.

"Hey Nick, are you alright!" he yelled, shaking him like a dog.

"Luffy, stop that, I'm fine!" he yelled, swatting the rubber man's hands away from him. Luffy sighed in relief, his gaze lowering to the profusely bleeding wound. "But your leg…"

"It's fine. I just need a few minutes," he said, as Zoro reached them, staring down at the wound himself. He knew that was a lie, he would need more than a few minutes for that to get in fighting shape.

"Are you sure?" Luffy asked.

Nick gave him a smirk, "Of course, I'll be good as new before you know it. But you guys should go on ahead of me. The others might be in trouble."

While that was true, Luffy didn't look eager to leave an injured friend behind. Nick saw his indecision, and decided to give him a little push. "Luffy, I'll be fine, trust me."

That seemed to do it, as Luffy's face broke out into another big smile, "Gotcha. We'll see you there. But don't take too long."

"Aye, aye, Captain!" Nick said with a salute. His (temporary) Captain nodded at him before taking off.

"Looks like I'll be winning our bet," Zoro mentioned, staring down at Nick with a smirk. But he wasn't cowed, returning it with one of his own.

"The battle's not over yet. I have plenty of time to kick your ass."

"Heh, in your dreams," Zoro responded. The two continued to stare at the other, gazes full of mutual respect. Zoro had Nick's from the start, and these couple of battles earned him Zoro's.

Nick's face turned serious. "Take care of the others," he said.

"Tsk, what a pain," Zoro muttered, letting out his tsundere side. But Nick knew he was a big old softy at heart.

"You better go, or Luffy might have them all beat before you get there," Nick said, getting another smirk from Zoro, who began to run after Luffy, but was stopped from getting too far by Nick.

"Hey Zoro!"

"What?"

"You're going the wrong way!"

Nick watched as Zoro did a 180, actually going the right way this time. Fingers crossed he made it to the mansion. Maybe Nick should have told Luffy to hold his hand so he wouldn't get lost. Like a kid in a mall, you know?

Oh well, too late now.

Looking around the decimated town, Nick frowned at counting several bodies belonging to the townsfolk. The worst was a mother clutching onto her child, both of them riddled with holes.

His fists and jaw clenched at the sight. "Damn them!" he said aloud. "How did this happen?"

He knew they belonged to Kuro's crew by the goofy masks some of them wore, all black and all cat. That was definitely the mark of a Black Cat Pirate.

Or a pervert.

But more importantly, Nick wondered where they came from. When he and Zoro were heading to the shipyard earlier, there weren't any ships he could see out at sea. And not just by the shipyards either. Since Zoro somehow made it to their own moored ships, twice, he knew they weren't anywhere near there either.

So how?

That's when he remembered. There were two slopes leading into town. In the original show, they made a big deal about which shore they were attacking from. That means, they had to have come from the other one. Both were about an equal distance from town, so it's not like it would have mattered which one they chose.

And who knows how many more may still be on the ship? Or if they had more ships. This could have been the first wave for all he knew. In that case…

"I'd better go check," Nick said, forcing himself to his feet. "But first, let's take care of this wound."

*Line Break*

Honey Queen watched as they shot harpoons into the side of the cliff, each one holding a length of rope. In between each length were planks of wood, forming a bridge, making it so she and the rest of the crew could disembark wherever they pleased without having to rely on one of the entrances to the island.

Seeing the path was secure, she made her way across the bridge with a confident swagger. Her wide hips swayed side to side provocatively, hoping to entice her darling Kuro. But his eyes remained cold as ever.

Boo Jack was enjoying the show, however, as were a multitude of her men behind her. But she had eyes for only one man. Once she reached the end of the bridge, she gave him a huge grin, sprinting towards him with arms wide open.

"Kuro, baby! How've you been!?" she cheered, leaping at him and encompassing him in a hug. One that he didn't return, having an exasperated look on his face as he expected her to do something like this.

"Honey, a pleasure. But would you mind releasing me?" he asked, but anyone who heard his tone would know it wasn't a question. There was a hard glint in his eyes as he stared her down, but all it did was make her pout.

"Oh, boo. Why must you treat me so coldly, Kuro?" she asked, fake tears in her eyes. The pretend butler merely sighed with annoyance, grabbing her arms and pulling them off.

"We do not have time for your silly games, woman. We have a schedule to keep, and we're already behind," he told her, watching as more and more of her crew disembarked from the ship, forming a disorderly mob around the area.

Not that he expected them to form nice neat lines. They were pirates after all, not Marines.

Honey Queen sighed, "Honestly, must you treat me so coldly. But then again, that's one of the things I love about you…" she swooned, giving him a lovey dovey look that sickened him and infuriated Boo Jack.

But Kuro did not care for her affections. There was no way he could have a dalliance with a pirate once his plans had come to fruition. It simply wouldn't be possible. But it seemed the simple minded woman had yet to reach the same conclusion.

A noise coming from above him prevented him from responding to her claims of love and other such foolish emotions. All of them looked up, seeing some kind of flying object heading for them.

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

"Ah, it seems Skunk One is here. What perfect timing," Honey Queen said, snapping out of her Kuro induced trance. The leader of the Black Cat Pirates frowned as the man came in for a landing. He really did not like the uncouth man, no matter how much he pretended to be a gentleman.

His suit was propelled through the air by what amounted to the power of farts. No amount of posh acting could overcome that.

"Honey Queen, my dear, it's so good to see you," Skunk One said as he landed in front of her. He then grabbed one of her hands and placed a kiss on the back of it.

"My, my, what a gentleman you are. You could learn a thing or two from him, Kuro," Honey Queen said, giving the man a teasing look. Kuro merely fixed his glasses, leveling a glare at them.

"My IQ would have to take a significant hit to be able to learn anything from him. Now, if you're quite done, shall we begin?" he questioned. Skunk One gave him the evil eye, as did Boo Jack, but Honey Queen had hearts in hers.

He was just so cool!

"Of course my darling Kuro. Whatever you say. Men, are you ready!?" she shouted to the throng of miscreants behind her. They all thrust their arms up, releasing loud cheers as they did so.

"Well, looks like they're quite eager to get started. After you," Honey Queen said to Kuro, who had a small smirk on his face.

"Indeed. Follow me," he said. Honey Queen latched onto his arm, much to his frustration, as they began their trek towards the mansion.

Soon, they came upon the gates, which were wide open. The guards were all standing around, blank eyed and drooling. Honey Queen made an impressed hum.

"My, my, Jango is just as impressive as always," she commented, seeing the glassy eyed stare of the guards. It was kind of creepy how he could do something like this, all without a Devil Fruit. Good thing he was an idiot.

"Perhaps. However, it doesn't appear as if he was able to complete his job," Kuro said, anger seeping into his tone. Honey followed his gaze and saw what had her pudding pop so frustrated. The doors to the mansion were shut tight.

"Oh dear. Well that just won't do. Boo Jack, be a dear and open those doors for me, would you?" she asked, fluttering her eyes at him.

"Right away my Queen," he simped. But before he could take a step, a figure appeared from around the corner. He was battered and bruised, not to mention burnt, missing an ear and part of his lower lip, making his way toward them with a limp.

"Oh my, is that Jango?" Honey Queen asked in shock. "What happened to him?"

Kuro frowned as his second mate hobbled over to them. He stopped in front of them, swaying on his feet, barely able to stand. "Well, don't keep me in suspense. Regale us with our tale of failure," Kuro demanded.

"Sorry, Captain. They were better defended than we thought," he slurred, his eyes unfocused. Kuro's own gained a twitch as he stared at the bumbling oaf in front of them.

"Are you telling me a couple of children did this to you? Is your incompetence really so great? Perhaps I misplaced my faith in you."

"You don't understand Captain! They summoned swarms of demons and booby trapped the entire house! They even had a monster in the basement!" Jango shouted, but his excuses fell on deaf ears.

"I don't want to hear it. For now, just stand there and wait for us to grab the girl. Afterwards, I'll have you do the one thing you're good at and hypnotize her. Understood?"

"...Yes Captain," Jango ground out. Kuro nodded in satisfaction, turning to look at the mansion with a critical eye.

"You, Skunk One. I have a plan for you," Kuro said after a moment. This caught the other man's attention, giving him a curious look.

"Once the fat one breaks down the door, I want you to fly to the third story and kidnap Kaya from her room, understood?" he asked, staring at him from the corner of his eye. But his description of a certain someone made that certain someone rather angry.

"Hey, who the hell are you calling fat!? Who do you think you are!?" shouted Boo Jack. Kuro didn't answer right away, his head slumped down, casting his eyes in shadows.

"Who am I, you ask? Well, let me tell you…" he started, only to everyone's shock, he disappeared, leaving only a small cloud of dust in his wake. But that didn't last long, as they saw him appear behind Boo Jack, a knife held to his throat.

"I'm the man who will kill you if you ever speak to me like that again. Do you understand?" Kuro asked in a deceptively calm voice. Boo Jack felt the knife dig into his flesh, and nodded as quickly as he could, sweat dripping down his brow in fear.

"Good," Kuro said, removing the knife from the portly man's throat and walking some ways away. Boo Jack fell to his knees, gasping for air, his whole body shaking like a leaf. The rest of their crew had similar looks of fear on their faces, fully realizing just how dangerous of a man he was.

The only one not afraid was Honey Queen, who was squirming in place, rubbing her thighs together at the show of dominance she just witnessed.

"The rest of you, surround the estate. Do not let a single person escape. Do I make myself clear?" he asked, getting frightened confirmations from the terrified group.

"Excellent. Then let us begin."

Nami and Akisu stood in front of the window looking out at the front yard. Their eyes were wide as they watched the butler, Klahadore, walk up with dozens of other men. And from her experience, she was certain they were pirates.

"W-what's going on?" Akisu asked with fear, sweat dripping down his brow. They just dealt with one pirate, and now there were a bunch more of them. How was that fair!?

"I'll tell you what. That skeevy butler is a traitor. I'll bet he's been working for the pirates this whole time," Nami growled out. Akisu looked at her in disbelief, but it was hard to argue with her hypothesis when the proof was staring them in the face.

"So what do we do?" he asked, voice tinged with fear. Nami looked down at him, and seeing his fearful face, softened her own as she responded. "We need to get Kaya and get out of here. There's no way we can take them all on without Luffy and the others. It's our only option."

Akisu looked down at that, and she could see the frustration in his eyes. Not that she could blame him. She didn't particularly like the thought of running away either. But if they could escape and find the others, they still had a chance to turn this around.

"I know it sucks, but protecting Kaya is our top priority," she told him. He looked back up at her, his eyes shifting from aggravated to determined. He gave her a firm nod, "Right. Kaya comes first."

She smiled at him and ruffled his hat, making him try and swat her hand away. She looked back out of the window, noticing a familiar figure limping towards the assembled group.

"What did Usopp do to him?" she asked in disbelief, seeing his injured and burnt form. Akisu looked out as well, eyes wide at the sight of the half dead man.

"Looks like he was caught in that explosion we heard," he said. Nami hummed in agreement, watching as the maimed man was seemingly chastised by the butler. But then something happened that made her eyes shrink in fear.

Klahadore vanished. Just disappeared from sight. It was made all the more frightening by the fact that she was staring right at him and had no idea where he went. But that question was answered as soon as it was asked, as he reappeared behind the fat one, knife at his throat.

"H-how did he do that?" Aksiu asked. Nami was wondering the same thing. Her best guess was some kind of Devil Fruit. When she saw their attention return to the mansion, she knew it was time to go.

"Come on, we need to get to Kaya," she said. Akisu nodded in agreement, and the pair of them raced towards the stairs as fast as they could. Well, as fast as Akisu could, with Nami matching her speed to his.

But just as they reached the first step, the doorway exploded inwards, showering the front entrance with debris. Nami and Akisu let out panicked yells as the sudden demolition knocked them from their feet.

Looking back, they stared, mouths agape at the destruction. But their attention was drawn to something moving near the wall. Turning their gazes towards it, they saw the fat man from outside, casually standing up, chunks of wood falling from his form.

Once he was standing erect, he started to look around the room, before he spotted the two of them. He gave them a big, wide grin. "Well, look what we have here. It's pretty late, you know. Shouldn't you be in bed?" he asked, staring at Akisu. But when his eyes landed on Nami, he had a completely different reaction.

"Whoa! What a babe! What is someone like you doing here?" he asked, his tongue rolling out of his mouth and drool piling up beneath him.

Nami recoiled, giving the man a look of disgust. As proud as she was of her looks, they attracted the worst of people sometimes. She thought Nick would be the same with how he stared at her chest the first time they met. And every time after that, to be honest. But he turned out alright.

She doubted the same for the pig in front of her. "None of your business you creep! Now buzz off!" she shouted, grabbing Akisu's hand and making a beeline up the stairs. Her actions only made him grin even harder.

"Aw, come on, don't be like that. If you play nice, I might consider making you my pet," he said, leering at her plump backside as she sprinted away. That little black dress she was wearing doing its job and showing off every curve in exquisite detail.

"Ugh, gross," Nami muttered, holding in her vomit. The two of them reached the top, when a massive figure appeared next to them. With a startled yelp, she came to a stop, staring at the pig face man with revulsion as he licked his lips advancing on her.

"Don't worry Nami! I'll protect you!" Akisu shouted, standing in front of her, holding out his slingshot, ready to fire.

"Akisu!" Nami shouted in surprise.

Boo Jack stopped his advance, sneering down at the kid who was ruining his fun. "Beat it you little shit. Us grownups are having a conversation."

"Not a chance! Nami's my friend, and I won't let you touch her!" he shouted, aiming right for the other man's face. Nami was touched by the concern he was showing her, but she was more afraid for his safety. She sincerely doubted anything he could fire at him would do much damage.

"Have it your way, brat. Just don't say I didn't warn you," he said, stepping towards the kid.

"Take this! Usopp Special: Devil's Breath!" Akisu shouted. He let go of the pouch, sending a bright red ball towards the lumbering man. But just as it neared his face, he swung his arm at it, breaking the ball and releasing a crimson powder into the air.

"Nice try brat! But something like that won't-" Boo Jack yelled. But he stopped short when his eyes were met with a burning sensation. Then his nose. Then his throat. Hell, even his ears felt like they were melting off.

"Ah! What did you do to me!?" he screamed in pain. His hands went to his face, trying to wipe the powder off and ease the pain. But it only seemed to make it worse. Akisu had a big grin on his face at seeing how effective the attack was.

"How do you like it? That ball contained several extremely spicy peppers that we dried out and turned into powder. No one can escape the pain it causes," Akisu explained.

Nami was surprised, once again, by just how effective Usopp's seemingly childish antics were. Maybe she should stop underestimating him?

But seeing as he was incapacitated, she decided she should pull her own weight. "Good job, kid. Now it's my turn!" she shouted, pulling out her three piece staff, putting it together in one swift motion, before slamming it into the pig-like man's face. Where she kept that thing in the tiny black dress she wore was a mystery.

"Take that!" Nami yelled as Boo Jack went flying over the railing. Akisu cheered, "Way to go big sis!" She turned to face him, giving him a victory sign with a big grin.

Kuro and Honey Queen entered the house, watching as Boo Jack slammed into the floor and bounced like a rubber ball, until coming to a stop right in front of them. They peered down at him, frowning in disappointment.

"Don't tell me these children got the best of you as well?" Kuro asked condescendingly. Boo Jack opened his bloodshot eyes to glare at the other man. "Just you wait. I'll teach them a lesson," he proclaimed.

"Don't bother. This situation requires a more delicate touch. You just sit there and watch," Honey Queen said, sauntering towards the pair with a smirk on her face. This was her chance to show off in front of Kuro, and all she needed to do was take care of a couple of brats.

Easy.

Nami and Akisu, who were watching the scantily clad woman make her way towards them, decided it was time to go. "Come on," Nami said, grabbing the young boy's hand and attempting to run.

"Oh, you think you can escape? How adorable," Honey Queen cooed, her body changing shape. Her entire form seemed to melt, turning into a dark yellow, viscous liquid, which shot out towards the two of them.

Nami skidded to a halt seeing a strange liquid substance appear in front of her. She and Akisu watched with fear as the blob of whatever it was rose up, transforming into the woman from down below.

"W-what the hell are you?" Nami asked, taking a step back. Honey Queen, who had fully reformed herself at this point, licked her lips while giving the other woman a smirk.

"Me? I ate the Honey-Honey fruit, making me a honey human," she said, holding out an arm and letting a drop of what was apparently honey fall to the floor.

"Seriously? You ate a Devil Fruit?" Nami asked, looking for a way to escape. Seeing this, the aptly named Honey Queen swung her hand towards the hallways, a massive wave of viscous liquid shooting out, coating the whole hallway and forming a wall of honey.

"Honey Trap!" she yelled, as the walls of honey hardened, preventing any hope of Nami and Akisu escaping.

"Damn it!" yelled Nami, staring at their only means of escape being blocked off. "What's your problem you bitch!? Just let us go!"

A vein in Honey Queens temple pulsed angrily at that. "A bitch am I? Perhaps I should teach you some manners?" she said, launched a new wave of sticky honey at the ginger haired woman.

Four sticky globs hit her, one on each of her arms and legs, lining her to the honey wall behind her.

"Ah!" she screamed in pain and fear.

"Big sis!" yelled Akisu as he ran up to her. He tried to remove the offending substance, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get it to budge.

"Isn't that cute? Is this your knight in shining armor?" Honey Queen mocked. Nami glared at the woman, trying her best not to show how afraid she is.

"Let her go, or else!" Akisu shouted, turning to face the woman, pointing his slingshot at her. But Honey Queen wasn't afraid in the least, pointing her index finger at him.

"Honey Shot."

A small, round ball of honey flew from her finger, right at the young boy, hitting his weapon and coating it in the sticky fluid, making it effectively useless. Akisu dropped the weapon, but he refused to give up, charging at the woman with every ounce of courage he possessed.

"Wait, don't do it!" Nami shouted, but her cries fell on deaf ears. Honey Queen smirked as the kid neared, backhanding him across the face, sending him sprawling across the floor with a cry of pain.

"How could you!? He's just a kid!" Nami shouted, eyes filled with rage. But Honey Queen seemed unperturbed by her outburst, sashaying her way towards the bound girl.

"What was I supposed to do? Let him hit me? I don't think so," she mocked, stopping in front of Nami, staring her directly in the eyes. But then her gaze traveled downward, giving a hum of appreciation as she did so.

"You know, you have quite the figure. I think you'd make a fantastic second wife for my brother," she said. Nami's eyes widened in horror, "The pig!?"

That made Honey Queen stop for a moment before shuddering. "No, not him. Even I'm not that cruel. I'm talking about the Bear King of course," she said, only alleviating a small portion of Nami's concerns.

She didn't want to be forced to marry anyone, thank you very much!

But wasn't that the name of the creep trying to force Kaya into marrying him? And he thought he deserved her hand as well? As if! Whoever this asshole was, she doubted he was worth one bride, let alone two!

"Gee, what a great offer, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline," Nami said, voice dripping with sarcasm.

"I'm afraid your compliance isn't a factor. But tell you what, if second wife isn't good enough for you, how about concubine?" she asked with a laugh. Nami growled and sincerely wished she could punch this woman in the face.

"I won't let you take either of them," said a voice behind Honey Queen. The two of them looked and saw Akisu, forcing himself to his feet, cheek bright red and dripping a bit of blood.

"Akisu!" Nami shouted happily, glad that he was alright. But she very much wished he used this opportunity to run away.

"That hair," muttered Honey Queen, getting a confused look from Nami. The blonde haired woman was staring at the little boy as if in a trance. Looking at him, she saw his hair for the first time, his hat having fallen off when he was struck.

It was dark, almost black, and swirled like an ice cream cone.

"That means… you're from the island," Honey Queen continued to mutter. But before she could do anything, a loud scream pierced through the silence. The voice was very familiar to two of them.

It was Kaya.