Another Piece

Chapter 3 Koko

Savory Revenge

"Ack!" Bamba, the red haired granny had delivered several punches to my body chasing me to fly back and crashing into the ground. I wasn't the greatest melee fighter at that point so being up against a fast boxer puts me at a disadvantage. But I refuse to give up. My teeth forcefully grinded on each other as I slowly stood up again even though the rest of my body told me to give in. As long as my top hat was on my head, there was no way I would fold.

"You're like a dummy! No matter how many times I punch you, you keep getting back up just to be punched again! Hohohoh!" The smug expression on her face made her unattractive wrinkles more apparent.

"I'll go through hell... if it means I reach my dream! I'll take all of your hits if it means getting to my goal!" I shouted as if my life depended on it.

"Huh?"

"I'm going to become the pirate king... which means I can't lose to old grannies like you!" Silence was followed by my words but not long after the rich people started to laugh.

"You? Becoming a pirate king? You might as well be a comedian at this rate! At least you'd be funny hohoho" Bamba brings her knuckles together to let out a cracking sound. Indicating she was about to deliver her last attack.

"It's better to crush someone's dream early..." The old hag lowers her body in preparation to charge at me. Her body was thrown forward, rushing towards me like a hunter leaping at its prey.

"Fleur: hold!" A hand grew beneath Bamba, grabbing her by the leg! Even at such a high speed, that small hand was fast enough to react and halt the redhead's movement.

"Koko!" A deep voice with a determination like mine spoke to me. I turned my head and saw Taiyō walking up to me, standing by my side.

"The sea is a scary place. Especially alone. So I won't let you face danger all by yourself!" The chef straightens their posture and crosses their arms. My gaze returned to the old woman who had now stood up but was still pinned in place by Taiyō's several arms holding her.

"Finish her off!"

"You got it!" With my newfound energy, I jumped up, feeling like I was light as a feather and stretched my hands out towards my opponent.

"Toku!" I generated a large ghost whose eyes were fixated at Bamba, looking at her hungrily.

"Horo!" The great ghost was shot towards the old woman, exploding upon impact and creating a large explosion blowing towards the rest of the rich family as well making them all fly off towards the water. The crowd behind me cheered and laughed at the intruders who now had made fools out of themselves for underestimating me and Taiyō.

"We did it! We did it Ta-" I'm a surge of happiness, my body sought after to hug my fellow devil fruit user but I was stopped dead in my tracks when I saw the burn injuries that had suddenly appeared on Taiyō's arms. Tears were streaming down their swollen cheeks caused by the saltiness of said tears. I couldn't make out if they were tears of happiness from winning or sorrow from the painful injuries. Despite that, Taiyō was carrying a smile on their face. I was left speechless and confused but I realized they must have been from those additional hands they had summoned on Bamba which got caught in the explosion too...

"We really did it huh?" The shorter devil turned their face towards me, still having that big grin on their face.

"We won. We showed the people our determination to protect our loved one that we care for them too" I started to laugh, almost hysterically at this messed up scenario as tears started to run down my own face. Taiyō gave me a big hug, even if it meant they had to endure searing pain from my explosive powers. The person in my arms was a true friend worthy of being in my pirate crew.