Chapter 13: Chapter 10
Goku soared through the air, his Power Pole extended and aimed directly at General Black's suit.
The pole collided with the mech's massive fist with a large crack sparks flying as the two forces met in a violent clash.
Goku's muscles strained, and for a moment, it seemed as if the mech might overpower him, but Goku pushed back with all his strength.
"Not bad, kid!" General Black sneered, pressing a button to increase the mech's arm strength. The fist swung harder, aiming to crush Goku.
But Goku wasn't backing down. He gritted his teeth, digging his heels into the ground as the pole and fist locked in a fierce stalemate.
With a yell, Goku pushed forward, forcing the mech's fist to slow down. His muscles bulged.
"You think you can stop me with that?" General Black scoffed, a smug grin on his face.
"I don't need to stop you," Goku replied with a grin of his own, "I just need to make you move!"
With a mighty push, Goku sent the mech's fist flying back, leaving General Black momentarily stunned. Seizing the opportunity, Goku launched himself forward, spinning the Power Pole in a rapid circle, aiming for the mech's head once again.
Goku leaped high into the air, his Power Pole aimed for the mech's exposed head, but before he could strike, General Black's head retracted into the suit with a hiss,
and Goku's pole slammed harmlessly against the top of the mech. As he landed, the massive fist swung at him with incredible speed.
Goku's eyes widened. He quickly spun his Power Pole, using it to vault himself out of the way just in time, narrowly avoiding the crushing blow.
He landed behind the mech and barely had time to catch his breath before General Black pivoted the mech around, its fists raised and ready.
"You can't dodge forever, Goku!" General Black roared, throwing a series of brutal punches in rapid succession.
Each one came with terrifying speed, forcing Goku to dodge and roll, his body moving like a blur as he evaded the devastating blows.
General Black's suit suddenly opened its palms, and a bright light began to glow from the palms, swirling and gathering energy. Goku's eyes narrowed as he watched, recognizing the build-up of power.
"Not good..." Goku muttered, his instincts kicking in. He dashed forward, pole in hand, and thrust it into the opening, trying to disrupt the energy formation.
The light flared, and a massive blast shot out from the mech's palms.
Goku leaped backward just as the explosion ripped through the air, sending a shockwave that rattled the ground.
The mech's arm, now completely destroyed, sparks flying from the damage.
Goku quickly landed, his face focused. "I can't give him a chance to recover!" He thrust his hands forward, starting to gather his own energy. "Kamehameha!"
The blue wave of power surged from his palms, racing toward the damaged mech. The mech's remaining arm swung futilely in defense, but it was too late.
The blast hit, and the explosion rocked the battlefield as the mech was consumed by the full force of Goku's attack.
As the smoke cleared, General Black's voice echoed, dripping with confidence. "You really thought that could kill me?" he taunted, his voice cold and mocking.
Before Goku could react, Black leaped forward with incredible speed, grabbing Goku and slamming him into the ground. The force of the impact sent shockwaves through the area, and Goku's body crumpled under the pressure.
He struggled to recover, but before he could fully regain his bearings, Black's massive palm opened, and a blinding light began to form.
Goku's eyes widened in realization as it hit him head on
Goku got sent flying back through the air. His body slammed into the ground, leaving a trail of dust behind him.
"Die!" General Black shouted, his voice filled with fury.
The mech's palms opened again, and Goku could see the concentrated energy forming—this time, far more powerful. Black unleashed a barrage of rapid-fire blasts, each one tearing through the air with deafening sounds. Goku tried to move, but the attacks came too quickly,
[Beach]
Zoro and Tao locked eyes as the ground shook beneath them from their previous clashes. Tao smirked, his stance loose but confident, as he cracked his knuckles.
"You're quite the swordsman, Zoro, but let's see how you handle my style." His voice oozed mockery as he spread his arms, prepared to fight with nothing but his legs and hands.
Zoro tightened his grip on his swords, a fierce determination in his eyes. "You talk too much. Let's see if you can keep up."
With a swift move, Tao lunged forward, his legs kicking out in a blur. Zoro barely managed to block a spinning kick with one of his swords, the force of the blow sending him skidding back.
Tao laughed, clearly enjoying the fight. "You're not as fast as you think."
Zoro gritted his teeth, shaking off the hit. He lunged at Tao with precision, slashing with his swords, but Tao danced around him effortlessly,
using his hands and legs with perfect agility to evade each strike. His mocking laughter echoed as he taunted, "Is that all you've got, pirate hunter?"
With a quick pivot, Tao launched a spinning kick aimed at Zoro's head, but Zoro managed to block with his swords, using both to deflect the blow.
"I'm just getting started!" Zoro shouted, his anger rising. He slashed again, this time aiming for Tao's legs, hoping to catch him off-guard.
Tao grinned, flipping backward to avoid the attack. "You're predictable, Zoro. You need to think faster than that!"
Zoro's eyes narrowed, focusing his mind. "Then I'll just have to make you think harder."
With that, Zoro moved with a newfound speed, his blades cutting through the air like lightning. Tao's grin faltered for a moment as he had to dodge more quickly, his earlier cockiness fading as he realized he was being pushed to his limits.
Tao grinned as he quickly scooped up sand from the ground and threw it into Zoro's eyes. Zoro recoiled, rubbing his eyes in frustration, but Tao was already on the move.
He launched himself forward with a leap, aiming to land a powerful blow, but Zoro barely managed to dodge, his instincts kicking in just in time.
"Dirty fighter," Zoro grunted, his vision clearing as he wiped the sand away.
Tao just laughed. "I don't care how I fight. As long as I win." His voice turned cold as he stepped back, gathering his energy. "Let me show you why they call me Mercenary Tao."
In an instant, Tao vanished. Zoro's eyes snapped around, trying to track his movements, but it was no use. Tao was gone, moving so fast he was nothing but a blur.
"This is Soru," Tao's voice echoed from behind Zoro. He appeared in an instant, standing right next to Zoro, but Zoro's sword slashed through the air at where Tao had been only to find nothing but empty space.
Before Zoro could react, Tao reappeared in front of him, his body a blur once more. "This is Iron Body," Tao said with a grin. The moment he materialized, his body became like steel, and Zoro's blade bounced harmlessly off his hardened skin with a loud clang
Zoro gritted his teeth, his anger rising. "You won't get away with this."
But Tao wasn't done. With a swift flash, Tao appeared in front of Zoro again. He poked his finger out and said, "This is Finger Gun."
Before Zoro could react, Tao thrust his finger forward at lightning speed. Zoro instinctively dodged and jumped on the deck of the ship but Tao's finger struck the side of the ship with a deafening boom, creating a massive hole in the wood.
The force of the blow splintered the ship's structure, and debris flew everywhere.
Zoro stepped back, eyes widening in disbelief. "What the hell was that?!"
Tao landed lightly on the ship's deck, stepping back a few paces and grinning wickedly. "That was rokushiki techniques but I haven't mastered those moves "
he cracked his neck with a chuckle. "But I'm not just any mercenary. I'm the deadliest there is."
Zoro's expression hardened, rage building in his chest. "You talk too much. I'm ending this now." He bites his sword harder
Tao grinned as he pulled out his own sword, meeting Zoro's gaze with a cold, calculating stare. "You're right, swordsman," he said with a sneer. "But this is where your luck runs out."
The two clashed with incredible speed, their swords meeting in a flurry of strikes. Tao's blade rang with Zoro's, each hit precise and powerful.
Zoro's grip tightened on his swords, his muscles straining to keep up with Tao's relentless attacks. Tao's sword was fast, but Zoro had the experience to counter it just barely.
With a sudden, savage strike, Tao's sword collided with Zoro's, pushing him back. Zoro grunted, his feet skidding against the ground, and before he could recover, Tao's foot slammed into his stomach.
The force of the kick knocked the wind out of him, and Zoro staggered back, dropping both of his swords as he gasped for air.
Before he could react, Tao raised his sword for a killing blow. But Zoro wasn't finished yet. In a blur of movement, he grabbed his sword from his mouth and swung it upward, deflecting Tao's blade just in time.
The two swords met with a resounding clang and Zoro pushed back with a furious grunt.
"Not so fast!" Zoro shouted, determination burning in his eyes.
Tao smirked, taking a step back. "You're good, but not good enough."
The moment Tao dropped his guard for just a fraction of a second, Zoro took advantage of the opening and slashed with all his might. The blade cut through the air, aiming for Tao's chest, but Tao's eyes widened.
He twisted his body just enough to avoid the full brunt of the strike but the edge of Zoro's sword still grazed his shoulder, cutting through the fabric of his outfit and leaving a deep, bloody mark.
Tao staggered back, a hiss escaping his lips. "Not bad, swordsman," he growled, a hint of respect in his tone. But the anger in his eyes was unmistakable.
With a snarl, Tao wiped the blood from his shoulder, his grip tightening on his sword. "You'll pay for that."
Johnny, seeing Zoro struggling shouted, "Big bro Zoro!" With a swift motion, he pulled out a gun and aimed at Tao, firing a quick shot.
But Tao flicked his sandals up with a swift motion, and the bullet was deflected harmlessly into the air. His smirk never faltered,
and he immediately turned his attention back to Zoro, who was leaping into the air for a high-powered strike.
Zoro's voice rang out mid-air, his eyes locked on Tao. "Krillin! Now!"
Krillin, standing by and ready, quickly gathered his energy, focusing on the target. Without hesitation, he thrust his hands forward and unleashed his Kamehameha wave, the blue beam of energy surging toward Tao.
Tao's eyes widened for a moment as the powerful blast headed his way. With no time to dodge, Tao braced himself, the air vibrating with the force of the attack. The Kamehameha struck the deck near Tao's feet, exploding in a massive wave of destruction.
The shockwave of the blast sent dust and debris flying, and the force of the attack rocked the entire battlefield. Zoro landed on the ground, his body slightly tired but determined, staring intently at the smoke cloud rising from the explosion.
As the dust settled, Tao stood amidst the wreckage, his body bruised and scorched but still standing, looking more enraged than ever. "You'll pay for that!" he roared, his body tense with fury,
Tao, with a furious yell, jumped into the air, his body burnt and charred. "One Sword Style—Don Don Ray!" he roared, his sword slashing through the air as he aimed directly for Zoro.
Zoro's eyes remained closed, his focus sharp despite the danger. He didn't flinch. With one swift motion, he drew his own blade, the weight of his focus clear as he jumped into the air to meet Tao head-on.
The two swordsmen clashed in the air, their blades striking each other with a deafening sound. For a brief moment, there was a standoff in mid-air Zoro and Tao frozen in time. Then, without a word, Zoro landed gracefully on the ground, his sword still in hand. Tao, however, collapsed onto his knees, a shocked expression painted across his face.
Tao coughs up blood, his face pale with worry. Wiping his mouth, he stares at the crimson smear on his hand, panic flickering in his eyes. "This… isn't normal," he mutters, unsteady.
Zoro opened his eyes slowly, his chest rising with steady breath. He sheathed his sword, the battle's outcome clear.
Tao's head fell clean off, rolling away in a silent testament to Zoro's skill.
The battlefield was silent for a moment, the dust settling. Zoro turned to Krillin, Johnny, and the others, his expression calm but resolute. "It's over,"
[Corp city]
General Black watched in disbelief as the dust from his massive blast began to clear. "It's over, you fool," he muttered, his mechanical hands twitching as he prepared another attack. He raised his palm, charging up more energy, his laugh echoing through the air
Suddenly, from the midst of the chaos, a familiar yellow cloud zipped across the sky. Goku, alive and unharmed, was riding atop Nimbus, his face full of determination.
"Nice try, but you're going to have to do better than that!" Goku called out, his voice confident despite the explosions raging around him.
General Black's eyes widened, fury building in his chest. "You—you're still alive?!"
Goku smirked. "I told you, it'll take more than that to take me down."
he swerved Nimbus in a sharp turn, effortlessly dodging a barrage of energy blasts from General Black's suit
Each blast hit the ground with a deafening explosion, sending debris flying through the air.
General Black frantically pressed buttons inside the cockpit, trying to fire another blast, but the overheating alarms blared loudly. Smoke poured from the mech's damaged arm. "Damn it!" he shouted, slamming his fist against the controls.
Goku seized the opportunity. He guided Nimbus forward, rocketing toward the mech with incredible speed. Leaping off the cloud at the last second, Goku used the momentum to deliver a devastating punch to the mech's chest. The sheer force of the blow sent the massive machine hurtling into the air.
Inside the cockpit, General Black's world spun as he tried to regain control. "This can't be happening!" he yelled, his grip tightening on the controls.
Goku hovered mid-air, charging energy in one hand. "This ends now!" he declared. As the Kamehameha wave began to glow, Black looked down and froze. For a brief moment, he saw a massive, shadowy silhouette behind Goku—a towering Great Ape, its eyes glowing red.
"What...what is that?!" Black stammered, terror gripping him.
Goku unleashed the Kamehameha with a roar, using the force to propel himself straight at the mech. His glowing fist collided with the machine, and the energy erupted in all directions. The punch pierced through the mech's chest, shattering the core.
A split second later, the entire suit exploded in a fiery blaze. Goku flipped back, landing lightly on the ground as pieces of the mech rained down around him. Smoke filled the air, but Goku stood tall, his determined gaze fixed on the fading embers.
"It's over," he said calmly,
As Goku stood triumphantly, a sharp crack rang out, and his eyes widened in shock as he stumbled forward, collapsing unconscious onto the ground. Behind him, Dr. Gero emerged from the smoke, holding a smoking rifle in his hands, his face twisted in anger.
"Come on!" Gero barked, marching toward Goku. "I know you're stronger than that! Get up and fight me!" His voice trembled, not from fear but from burning rage.
Gero reached Goku's fallen form, pressing the barrel of his rifle firmly against the boy's forehead. "You destroyed everything! My son, my work... I'll make sure you don't—"
Before he could pull the trigger, a strong hand grasped the barrel of the rifle, stopping him. Gero froze, his breath catching in his throat. Slowly, he looked up, and his eyes widened in terror.
Standing before him was a tall man cloaked in a billowing green cape, a tattoo pattern on his right eye. His intense gaze pierced through Gero as he spoke in a low, commanding voice.
"That's enough."
Dr. Gero's hands trembled as he released his grip on the rifle. "You... You're..."
Monkey D. Dragon, the world's most wanted man, let the rifle drop to the ground. "This boy is not yours to kill. Walk away, or face the consequences."
The winds began to swirl around Dragon, carrying an ominous, otherworldly presence. Gero stumbled back, his rage giving way to fear as he realized he was in the presence of someone far beyond his power.
Dr. Gero snarled, his voice trembling with a mix of rage and despair. "Damn you, Dragon!"
Dragon didn't respond, his piercing gaze fixed on the horizon. Without a word, he turned and began to walk away, the swirling winds calming around him.
Gero clenched his fists, trembling with hatred, but his resolve faltered as he glanced at the lifeless body of his son beneath the rubble.
Gritting his teeth, Gero staggered toward the ruins and carefully lifted his son's broken body into his arms. His fury burned hotter, but now it was tinged with unbearable grief. "I'll make you pay for this... all of you," he muttered under his breath as he trudged away, his shadow long and heavy.
As Dragon continued walking, his cape billowing in the light breeze, a young man stepped out of the shadows ahead of him. He had short blond hair, a scar running down one side of his face, and a confident smirk.
"We've got everything we came for," the man said calmly, his tone sharp and efficient. "It's time to go."
Dragon gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. He glances at Goku and Without another word, the two vanished into the forest, leaving the battlefield behind.
The winds carried a faint sense of foreboding, as if the world itself knew this was only the beginning of something much larger.
[Middle of the ocean]
Dr. Gero sat silently on a small boat, the gentle rocking of the waves contrasting with the storm raging inside him. He stared at his son's lifeless body, his trembling hands clutching a Den Den Mushi. His face was a mask of grief and cold determination as he finally spoke into the receiver.
"This is Dr. Gero," he said, his voice low and strained. "I've lost everything. My son...my pride...everything. But I'm willing to work for you the World Government."
The Den Den Mushi's snail-like features shifted into an impassive expression, mirroring the voice of Saint Ethanbaron V. Nasujuro, one of the Gorosei.
"You've caused quite the mess with your actions, Gero. Why should we trust you now?" Nasujuro said, his voice calm but edged with suspicion.
Gero's grip tightened, his voice sharpening with anger and desperation. "I have knowledge and inventions you can't even dream of. But I have one condition: I want unrestricted access to Egghead Island. If you agree, I'll dedicate everything to serving the government."
There was a long pause, and then another Gorosei, Saint Shepherd Ju Peter, spoke, his voice cold and calculating. "Egghead Island is under strict protocol, but...your expertise could be useful to us. Very well, Dr. Gero. You may proceed."
Gero exhaled, his face hardening as he looked back at his son's body. He considered asking them for cypher pole to kill Goku, but that wouldn't be personal so he said "I won't waste this opportunity. You'll get results. But mark my words...there will come a day when you'll regret underestimating me."
The Den Den Mushi clicked off, leaving Gero alone with his grief and ambition as the boat continued toward the horizon. His mind was already racing with plans
plans that would ensure no one, not even the most powerful forces in the world, would ever stand in his way again.
"You will die Goku," Gero said
————————————/—————————
W foreshadowing?
Word count 3388
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone 
Paragraph comment