บท 18: Tides of Conflict: Clash with the Beast Pirates - Part 2
The moon was high in the sky, its radiance shimmering across the calm sea, giving the Silver Wave a celestial glow. Theo stood on the deck, eyes narrowed, gaze fixed on the approaching ship. The Beast Pirates' vessel was cutting through the sea like a predator, it's intent clear, its menace palpable.
Zargo, the Gifter leading the Beast Pirates, stood at the helm of his ship, his predatory gaze fixed on the Silver Wave. He'd watched its transformation with a mix of awe and greed, and now he was determined to claim it as his prize.
"Silver Wave!" His voice echoed across the water, amplified by a Den Den Mushi. "Surrender your ship! If you comply, we might let you join us."
Theo remained silent, contemplating the Gifter's words. The idea of surrendering their vessel and dreams to the Beast Pirates was not an option. Yet, he needed to buy time. It wasn't wise to rush into a battle unprepared.
"We are not donors to hand over our ship to the likes of you," Theo called back, his voice ringing across the water. "And we are not cowards to join those who threaten us."
Laughter echoed from the Beast Pirates' ship, a chorus of mockery that sent shivers down the crew's spines. But Theo stood firm, his determination unwavering.
"Strong words for a boy," Zargo snarled, his rhino-like features contorted in a sneer. "How about this then... Surrender, or we'll forcefully take your ship and leave you to the mercy of the sea."
The tension in the air was palpable, the imminent threat a suffocating pressure. The crew of the Silver Wave shared a glance; the grim determination mirrored in their eyes. They were ready to fight, to defend their dreams and their freedom.
Theo, however, maintained his composed demeanor. He needed to stall for time. The threat was real, but showing fear would only encourage the Beast Pirates. He decided to keep the dialogue going to buy his crew a few more precious moments.
"And if we fight?" Theo countered, a challenge glinting in his eyes. "Do you believe we will just hand over our ship without a fight?"
Zargo grinned, his sharp teeth glinting menacingly under the moonlight. "Then we will see how long you can hold your ground. Prepare yourselves, Silver Wave! This night won't end peacefully for you."
His words rang out, an echo of threat that hung heavily in the still night air. The standoff between the Silver Wave and the Beast Pirates reached its climax, the tension so thick it could be cut with a sword.
With a sigh, Theo turned to his crew, their faces filled with anticipation and resolve. He looked at each of them, taking a moment to acknowledge their courage. "Prepare for battle," he said calmly, his voice filled with resolve. "We will defend our ship, dreams, and freedom."
His words sparked a renewed determination within the crew. They nodded, each going about their preparations. Mavis began strategizing, Soma started preparing his enhanced fruits, and Sai and Gram took up their positions, ready for the imminent battle.
The Silver Wave stood tall, a beacon of defiance in the face of a looming threat. The crew was ready, their hearts pounding with anticipation and resolve. As the Beast Pirates' ship drew closer, the air grew tense, filled with the promise of a fierce battle.
"Mavis, strategy?" Theo asked, his gaze locked on Zargo, who was now brandishing a sizeable spiked club, the metal glistening menacingly under the moonlight.
"Use your speed advantage, keep him on his toes, make him over-commit, and then strike," Mavis replied, her voice steady despite the circumstances. "He is bigger and has a powerful weapon, so try to avoid a confrontation."
Theo nodded, taking a deep breath as he braced himself. He could feel his heartbeat pounding in his ears, the adrenaline pumping through his veins.
With a determined look, he dashed forward, using his devil fruit powers to transform into a large, silver wolf. His form shimmered in the moonlight, giving him an ethereal appearance. His claws dug into the wooden deck as he rushed towards Zargo.
The transformation of Theo into his Fenrir form was a sight to behold, majestic yet deadly. His silver fur glinted under the sun as he took a stance opposite Zargo. Observing the transformation, Zargo's eyes narrowed, a gleam of realization appearing in them.
"Ahh, so it's an ancient Zoan, eh? Dire wolf, I presume?" Zargo surmised, his tone a mix of mockery and intrigue. Theo maintained his silence, his icy gaze locked on the Gifter.
Seeing no verbal response from Theo, Zargo let out a hearty chuckle, "Captain Kaido would be interested in you. A rare ancient Zoan user like you, added to our ranks, would make the Beast Pirates even more formidable. Join us, pup."
Theo growled in response, the sound a low, threatening rumble. His silver eyes flared with defiance, "I'm no one's pet, and my crew is not up for bargain."
Zargo shrugged nonchalantly, "Your loss, pup. Could have made things easier for yourself." His grip tightened around his club, his grin turning more sinister.
The Gifter watched Theo's approach, a smug grin etched on his face. "A pup trying to challenge a rhino?" He taunted, swinging his club in a wide arc.
Theo, however, was quicker. He deftly dodged the swing, using his observation haki to predict the attack. He could see a brief premonition of Zargo's movements, allowing him to evade just in time.
Without wasting a moment, Theo launched himself at Zargo, his claws aiming for the Gifter's torso. But Zargo was prepared. With a swift move, he coated his body with armament haki, creating a black, hard-as-steel shield around him.
Theo's claws clashed against Zargo's shield, sparks flying from the impact. Despite his strength, Theo found it challenging to penetrate Zargo's defenses.
Zargo retaliated swiftly, bringing his club crashing down toward Theo. But the young captain was already on the move, his speed, augmented by his devil fruit powers, allowing him to dodge swiftly.
The battle was intense, a test of agility, strength, and strategy. Theo kept up the offensive, using his speed and observation haki to keep Zargo on his toes. He moved like a silver flash; his attacks were quick and relentless.
Despite his efforts, Zargo's defenses held firm. His armament haki made his body almost impenetrable, forcing Theo to rethink his strategy.
It was then that he noticed a pattern. Zargo would raise his shield each time he attacked, but it would falter briefly when he retaliated. It was a tiny window, barely noticeable, but it was all Theo needed.
With a new strategy in mind, Theo rushed towards Zargo once more. His eyes glowed with determination as he leaped into the air, his claws aimed at Zargo. As expected, Zargo raised his haki shield, ready to deflect the attack.
But Theo was quicker, his observational haki allowing him to discern the faintest of weaknesses in Zargo's defense. As Zargo braced for Theo's frontal attack, the young captain suddenly shifted his trajectory mid-air, his body twisting in a graceful arc, defying the laws of physics. It was a movement imbued with the agility of his Fenrir form.
He landed swiftly and, without a moment's delay, skidded around seamlessly to face Zargo's back. His body began to shimmer with a faint, frosty glow, a subtle sign of the ice abilities he possessed because of his unique devil fruit. It was a power he had honed over time, the ability to call upon the frosty elements at will, a blend of natural prowess and supernatural gifts.
"Frostbite Claw," Theo murmured, his voice barely audible over the din of the battle. His right front paw became encased in a chilling glow, the temperature around it dropping sharply. Ice crystals began to form, adhering to his paw and enhancing his next attack.
Without wasting a moment, he lunged again, his 'Frostbite Claw' aimed directly at the fleeting gap in Zargo's Haki shield. The air seemed to freeze around him as he moved, a cold streak following his path. The ice-encrusted claw collided with Zargo's back, leaving a vivid scratch glowing with icy intensity on his torso.
The impact was far more significant than a typical attack, the chilling effect of his ice power seeping into Zargo's wound. The Gifter staggered back, the cold making him flinch, surprise evident in his eyes. "What..." He began, but the rest of his sentence died on his lips as a visible shiver ran down his spine, the cold intensifying his pain.
Without giving him a chance to recover, Theo launched another attack, his claws still shimmering with the residual frosty power. His attack pattern was relentless, leaving Zargo little time to gather his bearings, let alone launch a counterattack. The icy onslaught, combined with his wolf-like agility, proved to be a formidable combination.
Zargo gasped, his eyes wide in shock. The ice. It wasn't something a direwolf, ancient or not, could do. Only one beast he knew of fit the profile. "Fenrir! You have the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Fenrir!" Zargo exclaimed, his voice a mix of astonishment and fear.
The recognition in his voice brought a smirk to Theo's face. He didn't confirm or deny the statement, instead letting Zargo's dread fill the silence between them.
"If it's true, then even amongst the All-Stars, you would be...!" Zargo started, but the words caught in his throat. The implication was clear. The power Theo possessed was beyond anything a normal Zoan could offer. Zargo was quick to recover though, trying one more time to sway the young pirate, "Join us, Theo. With that power, you won't just be another soldier. You could stand among the All-Stars!"
Theo, however, just scoffed at the proposition. "I've already told you, Zargo. I'm not interested. My place is with my crew, not among your pirates."
Zargo gritted his teeth, his fingers tightening around his club. "Fenrir or not, you're still just a pup," he spat, his words slicing through the tense silence between them.
The battle raged on, the tension escalating with each passing moment. Zargo was no longer underestimating Theo, his attacks becoming more focused and powerful. On the other hand, Theo used every ounce of his skill and strategy to keep up the offensive, his determination unwavering.
Despite their efforts, the outcome was far from decided. Both fighters stood their ground, their powers clashing in an intense spectacle. But one thing was clear, and the battle was far from over.
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Neptune40
Neptune40 Apologies for the delayed update, everyone. I've recently leased out a business that demanded all my focus and energy. The process was more time-consuming and intricate than I anticipated. I didn't want to rush this chapter and compromise on the quality of the story.
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