One Piece: The Freedom Fighters

Chapter 25: The Soulless Striker

Constable raised his cutlass skyward, smashing it with as much force as he could muster. "HEAVEN'S WRATH!" He yelled, bringing his fury down on a group of Minions. The strike cracked the ground, causing the devilish targets to fall over and liquidate into goop. "PLENTY MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM!" He cackled, lifting his blade up before swinging again. The battle had been going on for about fifteen minutes, and things hardly changed. The Minion's numbers barely thinned, and more than a few Pirates laid in the snow.

"I've always wondered..." Genu started, lobbing a handful of white Combat Cubes into the army of Minions. "What is it with people and shouting the names of their special attacks?" He asked, scanning the arena. Things were bad, is this really a time to talk?

Constable swung his sword around, glancing over to Genu. "Well..." He began, continuing after a brief consideration. "It makes ya feel strong! Try it!" He encouraged, his face souring as a team of sword-wielding Minions charged him from all sides. In retaliation, Constable put his guard up and took a breath. "IRON BODY!" He squalled, his muscles tensing up as the Minions slashed. The blades shattered into pieces, and Constable quickly took out the disarmed enemies.

Genu let a small "Huh." Escape his lips as he watched. Feeling strong? He wants to feel strong! But he doesn't have any special moves... He'll just have to make one up! A large squad of Minions approached him from a good distance away, some with scavenged weaponry. Just then, he got an idea! Genu reached into his pockets and pulled out a collection of five green Comat Cubes. "Let's see..." He thought, attempting to come up with a cool name for his ability. "Oh, I know!" Genu smiled, throwing all the cubes out at the same time. "FIRING SQUAD!" He announced, striking his attempt at a cool pose. All at once, the cubes grew into sentries and unleashed a monsoon of bullets that ripped through the Minions! "Wow... That does make me feel strong!"

"Told ya!" Constable smirked, slashing his blade into the horde. Banter aside, he was starting to worry. They can't hold out forever! Constable looked up at the mansion. What's taking them so long?

...

On the roof, Ket and Belle watched the floating orb. It was twice as big as before, idly pulsing as if it had a heartbeat. The Madam floated inside, seemingly unconscious. Her fingers weren't snapping, and no Minions were spawning. Maybe she reached her limit? "So... What do we do now?" Ket asked, pacing around the sphere. He didn't plan this far ahead!

"I... I don't..." Belle breathlessly responded, her eyes transfixed on the ball. She reached her hand out to her mother, but when she got too close, the orb let out an ear-piercing shriek. "AIE!" She yelps, jumping back startled. Seems like it doesn't want anyone to touch it!

Ket covered his ears at the noise, looking over to Belle. "Interesting..." He nodded, getting close to the orb. It began to shriek again, and Ket quickly got annoyed. "Ugh, is there a mute button on this thing?" He asked, lightly rapping his knuckle on it. The moment he did so...

POW!

Ket felt a smashing pain in his stomach, and was sent flying back! The orb had grown a large fist the second it was touched as if activating a self-defense mode! The arm slid to the side as another one was produced, two legs sprouting out from the bottom. A small head with glowing eyes grew from the top as the beast let out a terrible roar. It's some kind of super Minion! Belle stumbled back, fear soiling her soul. Luckily, it wasn't after her. Ket was its target!

"Damn!" Ket gasped, landing feet-first on the ground and skidding to a halt. He clutched his stomach, the wind knocked out of him. That got him good! He looked up at the Minion and shifted into a defensive stance, summoning sparks. "Alright then, bring it!" He challenged, an excited grin spreading along his face. Finally, a fight!