Ch27- Hawkeye
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Coby knew what was coming, so even before Mihawk drew his sword, he was ready and watched the scene. As Mihawk drew his black sword, Yoru, the world seemed to pause for a moment. It was not just a weapon but an extension of the man himself, a part of his legendary prowess. Looking at the epic scene unfold, Coby's eyes shone with admiration and anticipation. He also activated his system internally, commanding in his mind, "SCAN! COPY!"
The system sprung to life, a familiar voice echoing in his thoughts. [Skill Scan initiated on 'Hawk Style, Flying Hawk Slash'. Analysis in progress…] Coby watched intently as Mihawk raised his sword, the air around him seemingly charged with an invisible energy. The sword's movement was not just a physical act but a dance of death, executed with an elegance and precision that only the world's greatest swordsman could achieve.
As Mihawk's sword came down in a swift, clean arc, it sent a shockwave that sliced through the air and the sea itself. The power behind the attack was awe-inspiring, a display of sheer mastery that left no doubt as to why Mihawk held his title. Coby, despite himself, felt a shiver run down his spine as he witnessed the attack. It was a reminder of the vast world of strength and skill he had yet to explore.
The system continued its process, [Skill essence capturing...] Coby's heart raced as he awaited the result. He knew this single attack, if successfully copied, could change the tide of any battle. But his excitement was short-lived as the system delivered its verdict, [Insufficient SP. Unable to copy 'Hawk Style, Flying Hawk Slash'. Estimated cost: 37000 SP.]
"THE FUCK IS THAT PRICE!" Coby's shoulders slumped slightly in disappointment. He had underestimated the cost of copying such a powerful technique. But even in his disappointment, he couldn't help but how big the World of One Piece was. This one slash was so strong, so expensive, it was indication of the peak of power at New World. This was just another challenge to overcome, another milestone to reach in his journey.
As Luffy, Zoro, Usopp, and Sanji followed Coby outside, they were met with the sight of the Merry floating away. The realization hit them like a cold wave – Nami had stolen their ship. Yosaku and Johnny, swimming in the sea nearby, confirmed their worst fears. "Nami stole the ship," they explained, their voices tinged with disbelief.
Luffy and the others stood in shock, processing the betrayal. Coby, however, was quick to recover. His eyes shifted from the retreating Merry to the imposing figure of Dracule Mihawk standing on his small boat. Realizing he couldn't copy Mihawk's techniques, Coby made a swift decision. He turned to Luffy, determination clear in his voice. "Captain, I'm going after Nami. You guys deal with the cook and follow me."
Luffy, after a brief moment of contemplation, nodded in agreement. "Make sure to bring my navigator back," he said with his characteristic grin.
Coby smirked in response, his had a good measure of his strength, and was certain he could indeed bring Nami back. "You can bet your ass on it. And make sure to bring that cook; I don't want to lose the bet."
Luffy's laughter, light and carefree, filled the air. "Shishishi. You can bet your ass too."
Without further delay, Coby jumped onto a small cutter and began to sail away. As he passed by Mihawk, their eyes met. Coby felt a shiver of trepidation. This was Dracule Mihawk, the World's Strongest Swordsman, a man whose mere presence commanded respect and fear. Mihawk's smirk only added to the gravity of the moment. "Bastard," Coby muttered under his breath as he sailed away. In his heart, he made a silent vow, "I will come back for you."
Coby wanted to stay and witness Zoro's confrontation with Mihawk, a battle destined to be epic and Luffy's battle of Will with Krieg. However, his priorities lay elsewhere. In his heart, he knew that in the anime, Nami was safe, but this world had shown him that not everything followed the script. But mostly, his intention was singular. He wanted to be the one who saved Nami. He wanted to shout your are my Nakama. He wanted to be the one who told Nami "Of course I will help you." And he wanted Nami to be his.
As he sailed away, Coby's thoughts were double check of powers of opponents he would encounter. Arlong's men were mostly cannon fodders, but Arlong was a little stronger. T He steered the small cutter with a practiced hand of old Coby, as he fixed his eyes to the Merry, who was about to vanish from his sight. The ship was a lot faster after all. The wind tugged at his hair, and the spray of the sea kissed his face, he smirked, "I am coming for you, Nami."
On the Merry, Nami's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she gazed at the distant shore. "What a bunch of stupids," she whispered, a bittersweet smile tugging at her lips. Her voice, though low, was heavy with emotion. "If we meet again, I hope they will let me sail with them. I hope we meet again. Coby, sorry. I just can't wait to be free, Bellemere." Her words were of regret and longing, the weight of her choices bearing down on her. She didn't wanted to betray Coby and the crew, but on the other side was her village, home, villagers and family.
Nami's hands clenched the ship's wheel tighter, the wood groaning under her grip. She was torn between her mission to collect enough money to buy back her village and the unexpected bonds she'd formed with Luffy's crew, especially Coby. The image of his confident smile and unwavering determination flashed in her mind, causing her heart to flutter with admiration and guilt.
Meanwhile, Coby swiftly sailed through the waves. The old Coby had knowledge about navigating, although he was nowhere close to Nami in navigation. As a result, adding having a smaller and slower boat, he was far behind Nami. But he wasn't worried. He sat back, stretched out his feet to the bulwark, and looked afar. A silhouette of an island started to form in the distance.
Coby didn't charge Arlong Park directly, as that would mean courting death. He had trust in his abilities but was still conscious of his power. As he reached ashore on another part of the island, Coby saw three Fishmen standing at the dock. He smirked as he calmly stepped forward. The Fishmen, shocked for a second, came near him in the next to question this stranger.
"Who are you?" the largest of the three Fishmen growled, his voice deep and threatening. He towered over Coby, muscles bulging and eyes narrowing with suspicion. The other two flanked him, ready to attack at any sign of aggression.
Coby met the Fishman's gaze, with a calm look on his face, almost teasing. "Just a traveler passing through," he replied. The Fishmen crew was strong, and he needed a plan if he was to confront them and find Nami. And lots of SP.
One of the Fishmen, with chins like balls, stepped forward, his voice booming as he declared, "These islands and the entire archipelago are off-limits and under Fishmen's rule." Another, with a sharp dorsal fin protruding from his back, added menacingly, "Leave now or prepare to die."
Coby's response was a simple smirk. Without a word, he activated Stealth Foot, the swift movement technique he had copied from Kuro. In a blur of motion, he drew his sword, its blade gleaming ominously in the sunlight. The Fishmen barely had time to react as Coby moved among them, his sword flashing with deadly precision. He struck them repeatedly, each cut delivered with the accuracy and speed.
Blood stained the shore, painting the sand a dark crimson as the Fishmen fell one by one. Coby, his breathing steady despite the exertion, finally ceased his attacks. Without a backward glance at the fallen Fishmen, he sheathed his sword and walked into the village.
As he moved away from the carnage, a system message chimed in his mind, a simple reminder of his victory and battle. [Combat success! 75 SP awarded for defeating Fishmen. Current SP balance: 403.]
Coby didn't allow himself to dwell on the victory. His focus was on finding Nami and ensuring her safety. Although he knew, he couldn't help but want to charge into Arlong Park; it was a stronghold of the Fishmen, and confronting them without a plan was suicide but he wanted to demolish the place already. But he needed to gather information and devise a strategy first.
Coby walked into the village, its once vibrant streets now a shadow of their former selves. Buildings lay in ruin, their structures twisted and broken, a little demonstration of the Fishmen's destructive reign. As he navigated through the desolation, his eyes caught sight of a woman standing amidst the chaos.
Nojiko, with her short, blue hair and striking figure, was hard to miss. She stood tall, her eyes scanning the horizon with a mix of defiance and weariness. She was dressed in a simple yet form-fitting top and shorts, her attire practical for the tropical climate yet accentuating her curvaceous form. Her arms were adorned with intricate tattoos. Coby recognized her immediately from his knowledge of the One Piece world. A smirk played on his lips as he walked towards her.
As he was walking, Coby noticed the shadow of a large Fishman looming behind Nojiko. "Ah, right. She saved Usopp from this Fishman in the Anime," he recalled.
Coby drew his sword, the blade catching the light and casting a glint across Nojiko's startled face. She had seen many outsiders come and go, most meeting grim fates at the hands of the Fishmen who ruled these parts. Her instinct was to warn him, to tell him to run before he met the same end. But as she opened her mouth to speak, she noticed him draw his weapon, and her heart skipped a beat. Was he another threat? Her body tensed, ready to defend herself.
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