Destroyers at Sea Chapter One: The Conquest for a Sword

The shark was hit hard by the beam on the top of it's snout causing it to flinch and fall to the deck below. Thanks to the thick hide of the shark the beam of energy did little damage as far as impact. On the other hand the sharks skin seemed to burn deeper than that of a humans. Although neither aspects of the attack would be anything near a fatal wound. When it his the deck the weight of the 10 ft shark caused a few of the planks to crack. Flopping on the deck like a fish trapped on land the sharks movements only made the damage to the wooden deck more so.

"Holy shit....We need to kill the damn thing! Hurry kill it!" Iken exclaimed as it threatened to break through the deck.

Iken ran up to the shark to attempt to end the predators life, it had committed a mortal sin. It had attacked someone Iken had grown attached to and Iken wasn't going to let it get away alive. With the shark flopping around it was going to smash through the deck, therefore Iken attempted to lob off it's tail. When Iken pulled out his sword he rose it above his head in order to use his maximum strength. With a mighty chop Iken cut the sharks tail, it was all the way through. That was it went all the way through until it hit the bone. With the mighty sword Iken was able to get about half way through the bone before his sword was stopped dead in it's tracks.

It was like a surreal moment as everyone stopped to look what was going to happen. Iken's eyes opened wide as they and the eyes of the large shark met. At that moment Iken knew he was about to feel a good amount of pain in the seconds coming. The shark flopped it's tail around causing Iken to flop around with it as he wouldn't release his death grip on his blade. With an especially powerful flick of the tail Iken went flying over the edge of the ship and out of the site of the crew. With the sharks tail half the way off it's flailing was much weaker giving the remaining members time to attack.

Cat had temporarily fallen asleep even if it was for a few minutes, he had a dream involving his happy child hood, he was walking with them and having fun, playing outside and even training in the academy. A huge thud was felt beside Cat directly beside him, when he slowly opened his eyes a Shark was next to him. Cat's face seemed unfazed, since he was too tired to move and above all wasn't in the mood to stand up and run the oppossite direction, Cat simply turned over facing away from the shark as if he were never there.

The shark didnt take Cats attitude too kindly, he attempted to Bite Cat while he was turned away from him, do to him being on land it seemed obvious he was not going to reach Quickly, but it was imminent that he would if Cat continued to Lay down,slowly reaching his goal for a new meal, his Jaws were reaching towards Him. Cat remained motionless, he really was not in the mood to move and was overall tired.

"I dont care if theres a freakin shark behind me, im tired.." One of cats classic laziness excuses, if he is not in the mood, he really is not in the mood.

After hearing another thud Cat looked back to see Iken thrown on the other side of the ship, the hard impact must've meant that he was thrown by the Shark, watching the Sharks Tail it was Cut clean cleanly Half way through, at that moment the shark attacked only to have Cat turn around quickly drawing his sword, "Elegant slash" The attack was made 20 MPH with Cat running through him, his sword slashed through his face, cuttind one of his eyes and leaving him bleeding. Looking down at his left foot cat noticed it was bleeding but he ignored it, trying to cope with the pain of having a bleeding foot. ".. the second you hurt my Nakama it became my problem..." the shark might have a taste of his leg, but he lost an Eye and was now bleeding from his face. Cat didnt lose anything in particlular and was rather grazed, yet still it burned. Cat was getting ready to attack again, but his leg was not letting him, charging the shark would be suicide with the leg he desperately needed.

Emillio was filled with pride as everyone complimented his work, even Ikne, who was the silent side of the crew. But his moment of happiness was soon disturbed by the arrival of a monster, a Jumping Shark. Emillio didn't get to know beasts like this one from he where he grown up but he didn't have to know much to realize that a shark could kill you if you were close enough to his interlocking teeth, and the captain was the closest one.

"Look ou..." Emillio started to say but he before he got to finish the shark was already blown away by his captain's weird ability, which was still a riddle to the gunner, at least he was safe. The attention was then drawn to Iken, who was trying to stop the shark from destroying the ship. When Emillio heard the words 'Kill it', he sprang into action. With a quick movement under his poncho Emillio pulled one of his revolvers out of it's holster that was strapped to his thigh. He didn't have to even take aim, his target was huge and was pretty close to him. He pointed the gun and fired, accurately hitting the beast's head. After the first shot connected, Emillio fired two additional shots, just to be on the safe side, and because he was eager to shoot some more. The two bullets made their way into the shark's side and into it's thick throat, right above it's gill. "Bullseye" He said before blowing the light smoke away from his revolver's barrel and tucking it back into it's holster.

Thor's eyes widened as he saw Iken fly off the ship. If he didn't have a devils fruit he would have dove in after him, but, unfortunately, he did, and he watched helplessly as Iken shot into the water. Trying to do the best he could, Thor climbed down the ladder of the crows nest quickly, then shot towards the edge of the ship to try to spot Iken, but not before impaling the beast with his Jutte. He then spotted Iken a fair distance away and looked at Cat

"Go get him, I'll spot you" he said

*Sigh* Cat wanted to help but couldnt Emilio have gone after him? but Damn he was still a Nakama in danger, they havent even reached the shore yet and Iken and Cat have already sustained damage, never the less it was a request coming from Thor himself and so Cat couldnt refuse, He took off his sword and ignored the bleeding ankle and numb arm on his left side, He then ran as fast as he could out of the ship and Dove into the water. He began swimming after Iken, His Endurance was more then enough to reach Iken, as he began to swim towards him it became obvious that this was not going to be an easy effort, Attempting to grab Iken by his shirt Cat then began to swim back having the 6'4 tall mans arm around him, as he gradually returned to the ship he climbed the rope ladders that were left on the side for him. Cat picked up his body, which was much heavier then Cat thought it would be, and attempted to climb up over the ship. He made it up slowly but surely until reaching the deck and dropping Ikens body on Board. Cat Fell from the exhaustion, His work was done.

After finishing his task Cat used his good foot to stand up and took out his hand. "Alright, I did my job now wheres the money you promised me? not like like did it FOR the money but a promise is a promise hehe."((Note: Thors character said go get Iken ill spot you , in Cats village thats slang for giving Money XD))

Thor looked at Cat strangely and tried to process this, when had he promised Cat money? Going through his memory he had not promised Cat any money in the time he knew him. Thinking more, Thor suddenly realized that 'Spot you' meant 'pay you' in some places, and Thor sighed. He couldn't back down on a promise even if it was with his own crew. Thor then nodded to Cat and walked to his quarters and came back with some cash, about 300 beli. He then handed it to Cat and smiled

"There you go, although when I said spot I meant tell you where he was" Thor said, smiling still

When Iken came to, he was on deck of the ship near Cat and Thor. The last thing he remembered was trying to lob off the sharks tail and now he was on his back and wet. Lifting his hand up to rub his head, his sword fell from his numb hand stabbing into the deck only inches from his head. Iken's hand was so numb from his grip on the sword and the cold water he didn't even notice the sword until it was to later. Shaking his head, Iken rubbed his eyes trying to rub the tiredness out of them.

Iken lifted himself up meekly, he hadn't been this weak since the time he washed up on shore. It was only hours before he met the crew and everyone in it. Iken couldn't say that was the worst day in his life, certainly not the best, but not the worst either. All in all Iken didn't see any reason to leave the crew once they arrived at the island like he had planned on the beginning of the trip. He even began to think that he would stay for a while to see what the crew would do. Now on his feet Iken looked to the dead shark on the deck.

"Is anyone a butcher? It would seem wasteful to just dump all of this meat, especially after how low our supplies got on the journey here." Iken said with a bit of concern.

"Hehehe thanks for.. the... M-.." Cat fell uncouonscious, he had exerted himself too much, his left arm was now beyond Numb and his leg now had Salt water on its wounds, sleeping would be more then enough to help him recover. He laid down as if he were in bed, anyone could wake him up with a simple shake or physical contact, if waited long enough he could even wake himself up. His body just fell into a temporary Black out. His clothes were wet and his wound still bleeding on his ankle.

Cat heard while in his sleep the need for a butcher, although Cat was a Swordsmen he was in no way at all ANY good at cooking.. he couldnt even make a sandwhich hence why he 'conveniently' ate sandwiches that were gone missing. Cat had no skill in that matter, but hearing Ikens voice made him feel more comfortable. His body was exhausted so waking him up would keep him conscious but take away the rest his body needs.

Iken looked down as Cat blacked out, he must have be exhausted after fighting then pulling Iken out of the water. Iken was grateful that Cat saved him however the island was getting closer and closer so now wasn't exactly the best time to take a nap. However Iken didn't really care at that point, if he wanted to sleep though he entire mission that was fine by him. Although the mission was to obtain some powerful sword for him.

"Eh...well now to the second problem...How are we going to dump this thing? It's got to weigh over 1000 pounds." Iken stammered.

Thor looked at Cat and sighed, I guess he did need rest. He then looked at Iken, who raised a serious question, then out to sea, the island was less then a mile away!! They had to think fast, then Thor got a gruesome but decent idea.

"I know this sounds bad, but why don't we cut it up, then throw it overboard?" he asked, putting energy on his Jutte, ready to cut it up, and if his advice was taken, would.

When they got there 30 minutes later, taking Thor's advice or not, they landed in a small alcove where they wouldn't arouse suspicion, and Thor got up, and put down the ladder, stepping on dry land for the first time in awhile.

Iken looked at the shark just laying on the deck staining it with blood the longer it laid there. Pulling his sword out of the wooden deck Iken walked over to the shark. Lifting the sword above his head, Iken swung his down, this time severing the shark tail. As the time passed chunks of the shark began to disappear little by little. Within 30 minuets the shark was gone and the only remaining sign it was ever there was the broken and blood stained planks of wood. Wiping his hands on a towel Iken looked at the spot the shark had once occupied.

"Well that was a pain in the ass, at least I was able to save a little of the meat...Now to find someone to cook it..." Iken said before turning around to see their arrival on the island.

Walking to the edge of the railing Iken looked over to see land, they were docked on in a small alcove. Moving towards the ladder, Iken threw his leg over the side of the ship and onto a rung of the ladder. Slowly Iken crawled down the ladder rung by rung. Stepping onto land, it felt harder than stepping on the ship, it felt much more solid. Turning around Iken took in the lard around them scanning for an potential attackers.

Emillio couldn't help the swordsmen cut up a dead shark, he could, however, give it the Swiss cheese treatment and fill it up with bullet holes, but that seemed unnecessary, even in the crazed gunman's eyes. "Shark must be great with some Tabasco..." he said as he observed Iken chopping down the mighty beast into shreds.

When all of this was taking place, The sorowbringer finally docked. Emillio couldn't realize how much the ship tilted back and forth in it's naval travel until it was over. The feeling of being able to stand still was weird at first. "So, what's our next stop?" Emillio asked his nakama, having no idea where the sword was supposed to be or even if it could be mentioned out loud.

Iken looked back up to the deck an the clanks and clunks of the metal approached them. It was obviously Emillio and he was coming to get off of the ship. Iken watched as the man with all of his heavy amo came down the ladder. He seemed to have just of an awkwardly time setting foot on ground as Iken did before him. Listening to the man's questions Iken scratched the back of his head. He was wondering what to do next as well, he guessed the best thing would be for someone to go back up and wake him.

"Uh I guess the thing to do would be waking up Cat." Iken said staring up at the deck lazily.

"I'll take care if that!" Emillio said before squating down and looking for something he could throw. After a few seconds, he picked up a pair of tiny pebbles, and held between his index and middle finger of either of his hands. He then turned to face the ship. From what he could remember, Cat was sleeping right on the deck, near one of the masts. It would be a tricky shot without a clear line of sight, but Emillio trusted his aiming skills. After a few seconds of concentration, he picked up the first pebble and threw it straight at the mast, immediately followed by the second one. The first pebble hit the mast and dropped down, barely missing Cat's foot, but the second one came down straight on his stomach. It was a weak throw with a small pebble, but it should be enough to wake him up. Emillio then listened to hear if one of his throws hit.

Cat felt a small touch on his stomach, it was tiny but it was enough to make him feel it.. which annoyed him. Cat woke-up, in a sense of the word but not completely. His Body was up but his mind was half shut down, it would take a very big shocker or anything to get his Adrenaline pumping.. He looked down at Emilio mad that he was woken up from a very nice nap, Looking around he noticed the island, he had forgotten they were going to the island for his sword.. yet still he was angry he was woken up, in his mind it was nothing he couldnt wait for till the next day.. Of course that would be his Tiredness talking. Reaching the edge of the ship he looked down towards both Iken and Emilio not knowing who it was that threw the pebble. He decided to simply yell at both of them to save him the trouble of asking who it was,

"Alright.. what do you want.. I'm up" An Anime vain was seen beside his left eyebrow as he spoke calmly

Iken looked at the foreigner as he threw rocked at Cat as he slept on the deck of the ship. It was one way of waking him up, but Iken didn't really like the idea of throwing a rock at someone he was supposed to care about. However Iken wasn't going to stop him either, he would have to deal with Cat when he woke up. At that point Iken grinned when he heard Cat groan grumpily as he made his way towards the ladder.

Watching Cat silently come down the ladder it was apparent he was somewhat crabby. What Iken didn't expect was for Cat to act snarly with towards him. Iken was slightly taken back at Cat's attitude towards him at that point. However after that point Iken just grinned a little more, he might be able to have some fun with the crabby person. Rolling his eyes into the back of his head Iken almost drooled at how much trouble he could get into. However at the last minuet Iken pointed at Emillio and spoke to Cat.

"It was him." tattled Iken.

Cat after realizing who was the one that woke him up from his much needed nap, Had an urge to pick-up his sword.. it was a temptation he would gladly follow if it were not that the man he would attempt to attack.. was his Nakama. Thor would not approve of it, therefore it was not allowed, any further attempt would only make Blue Aura get shot out at Cat.. something he'd much rather avoid. He had his hand on his Shieth and turned to Emilio, The vein still showing on his eyebrow,

"Couldnt you have chosen a BETTER WAY TO WAKE-ME UP!!!!?" Cat rose his fist and attempted to knock Emilio on the top of the head, if it hits it'll knock the tired out of Cat and get his Adrenaline going, waking him up completely, but it'll leave a big bump where Emilio was hit. If it did hit Cat would later cross his arms as if it never happened, returning to his calm mood. "So, what was so important that you had to wake me up?"

"Hey, look whose finally up!" called Thor, walking over to Cat "We landed, lets get your sword" he stated, turning to Cat and smiling.

Thor hoped that Cat knew where the sword was, or else they would have to look for awhile, and inevitably fight lots of ex marines, which Thor didn't want to do.

Iken looked from Thor to Cat wondering what was going to happen next. He didn't know where to go and it was obvious after the captains last comment he didn't either. So that left it up to Cat to know where the sword was and how to get it. However Iken feared that Cat wouldn't be the best one to come up with any kind of tactical plans. So Cat being the only person to possibly have the information would be a problem. At least it would be better than not having any information at all. That was another possibility, Cat might not even have anymore information than he already let on, which would make the likely hood of running into the marines that much greater.

"So...Cat are there any plans for taking the sword." Iken asked somewhat hesitantly.

"OH right... the plans hehe." Cat took a moment to hear the rumours swarming about the island, about how heavily guarded it was and the rumors of the sword being Hidden where the black smiths are. Cat took a quick glance around, they were in rocky shore but had different paths up ahead, looking far into the distance you could see a town, this must be the area, although Cat didnt know how he would know that.

"In the rumors there were 20 marines swarming around the village, the small village has more women and children then everything, leaving the men to do all of the heavy lifting, in other words the men here are naturally strong, but not violent. The day the ex-marines came here they took the village by force and forced the locals into paying unneeded taxes. The men inside it were forced into learning black smithing when the Marine chief, a weasel, told the people he would leave after the swords completion. It has now been 2 years and the sword should be finished very soon by the same back smiths that were working on it 2 years ago." Cat had his arms crossed the entire time, accessing the situation.

"My plans for this are.... i got nothing" Cat maintained a straight face while saying this. Having gotten everyones hopes hopes up, but he did know one thing. "Oh wait, the black smiths have the sword, that means they might be the most protected.. i think.." Most people with sommon sence would know that already, but to Cat it seemed like a maybe more then a it must be that way.

Iken listened intently to Cat as he spoke, despite his sources not being the most reliable he did seem to have a good amount of information. However it seemed that the villagers on the island seemed to be in a pretty grave situation themselves. If they took the sword the man would only expect them to make him another, and for another two years they would be his slaves. That was only if he kept his word, which Iken doubted he would do.

At that moment Iken made up his mind, he wouldn't allow the crew to steal the sword. That is he wouldn't allow them to steal the sword and not finish the job. The corrupt man had to die for the livelihood of this village and any others he could potentially threaten. If he had to do it himself Iken would kill the man, it didn't matter if the crew left him. All that would show Iken is that they were true pirates that didn't give a shit about anyone other than themselves. Iken had a great need, a desire to separate himself and this particular crew from the average everyday thieving pirates. They needed to make a difference in the world because if they didn't who would?

"I see, I'll help you retrieve the sword. However I expect us to finish the job and take out the head. If we don't this village will have the burden of suffering under him longer, and THAT would make it OUR FAULT!" Iken exclaimed.

Cat listened intently to Ikens words, but had a confused face to him. As if he had said something that didnt make sence. Cat was looking at Iken with a puzzled face wondering why it was that he had said that, His mind in a blurr about the situation and Ikens words. Cat finally opened his mouth revealing exactly what he was thinking, "That isnt even something you had to say Iken, considering we were going to kill him anyways."

Thor face palmed when Cat said 'I got nothing', This would be a bit more difficult then he thought. Also he continued face palming as Cat talked. Then Iken chimed in, saying something that worried Thor. If Thor's information from Cat was correct, there would be twenty ex marines, meaning twenty above average humans guarding the leader. Iken should have known this, and since Thor thought of Iken as a voice of reason in the crew, he had no idea why he acted this way. Thor sighed, his whole crew was full of surprises personality wise, and none of them so far were good.

"Yeah, sure, ok Iken"said Thor sighing, then looked at Cat, who apparently thought they'd be doing that anyway, and sighed again.

What the hell and, when the hell did the lazy swordsman and the wise captain switch bodies. That was the thought that popped into Iken's mind as he listened to the situation and opinions of the crew. It was like second nature for Cat to want to help someone and Thor was against it? Even thought the captain didn't outright say it, Iken could tell from his tone of voice and body movements. After a couple of weeks with the men he thought he came to know them pretty well. However both of them just slipped in something new and unexpected. All the think then began to give Iken a headache, a lot of things he had come to know, they were wrong.

Iken shot a sour look at Thor, the one he thought he was going to have to use on Cat. This was something that could potentially end their run as a crew, this was the type of thing that only true nakama could over come. It seemed that goals and virtues were clashing and although the virtues seemed to have pulled ahead, only time would truly tell what the crew would become. Iken felt a small pain in his stomach, it was an uncomfortable feeling to know he may have misjudged the man that had been leading him for quite some time now.

Knowing the opinions of the other two of the crew, Iken looked to Emillio wondering what his opinion on the matter was. Would he side with Iken and Cat or would he be more reluctant as was the captain. Iken didn't know what to think at this point. He could make a guess as to what Emillio would say or do, but in all honesty Iken knew less about him than the other two. The other two who he had misjudged, it was almost laughable at the point as Iken went through it all in his mind.

"Hmm, you surprise me...Thor...Emillio, what do you think about the situation." Iken said, he didn't feel like amusing something and being wrong again.

Thor sighed looking at Iken, who shot him a bit of an annoyed look, which let Thor know Iken knew his feelings at the moment, so he decided he had nothing to lose.

"We need to get the sword, that I agree with. But overpowering a small, well, government seems a little bit of a large job, especially when its four people going up against 20 ex marines..." Thor explained, trailing off "Don't get me wrong, I'd jump to action if we had enough power in numbers, I mean I guess we are pretty powerful, maybe if we get a couple more members like us, or get some sort of rebellion started I would be more confident about the idea" he finished