Queen of the Pirates

The Straw Hats Torn Apart

"Is it really the right time for you to come out of hiding, Dark King Rayleigh?" Kizaru asks to break the silence.

"Don't pick the buds before they sprout," Rayleigh grins. "Their era is only just beginning!"

"OLD MAN!" Luffy bellows.

"Rayleigh," I breathe out as I fall to my knees.

"I've often heard that you were somewhere on this island," Kizaru continues. "So those rumors were true. To think that you're defending these little greenhorns. Once a pirate, always a pirate, eh, Rayleigh?"

"If only you people would retract the bounty on my head, I'd be able to live out the rest of my life in peace," Rayleigh teases.

"Your crimes as a pirate won't disappear! Especially since you were part of the Roger Pirates. But, if we were to even attempt to capture you, we would have to prepare ourselves in more ways than one."

"Thank goodness, Zoro!" Usopp cries out. "That old man was really powerful after all!"

"He was able to stop him even though we had no effect! Why!?" Brook exclaims.

"Can't you just let them go, Kizaru?" Rayleigh asks.

"Give me a break," Kizaru scoffs. "I have to catch them or else the Celestial Dragons at Navy Headquarters in Marijoa won't be satisfied. Please don't interfere!"

"Usopp! Brook!" Luffy bellows. "Take Zoro and run!"

"Let's go, Brook!" Usopp scoops up Zoro while Brook gathers up Zoro's three swords before they start rushing away.

"Sure!" Brook agrees without hesitation.

"Everybody run away and look after yourselves!" Luffy continues his orders. "We can't defeat them!"

"He admits it like a man!" Kizaru praises. "But that's annoying..."

"Franky!" Nami screams as she and Sanji start to run but the cyborg aims his hand cannon at PX-1.

"I'm going to use up all my cola for this! This is my final attack! Coup De Vent!" He lets the largest blast come from his hands that is enough force this time to send PX-1 barreling backwards. "Did it work this time, jerk!"

"RUN!" Luffy orders once again. He reaches down, grabbing me by the arm to pull me back to my feet. "Please, my sweets, we have to run."

I take a deep breath, grabbing his hand. It's all I need to will my feet to start moving, and then Luffy is running right at my side as we follow Chopper and Robin.

"Thanks, old man!"

"Yes!" Rayleigh waves at us. "I wish you luck!"

We don't get far before a bright light like the sun has suddenly appeared almost blinds us. Kizaru has probably had his Devil Fruit for many years and knows all kinds of tricks to make his attacks as deadly as he can. Still, we can't worry about what's going on behind us. All we can do is keep running forward and hope that we get the hell away from them. That we can find a place to hide out for the next three days.

"That's twice today from Rayleigh," I somehow get the words out even though my lungs are burning with every breath I take. I'd normally be pushing everyone else to keep up, but after putting our all into a single fight and having no time to truly rest, I'm feeling the lack of air as much as everyone else.

"I was so scared!" Chopper cries.

"PX-1, Roronoa is dying! Go after him!" Sentomaru orders.