Chapter 11 - Episode 16 & 17
Normally, Aizawa would consider an over 6 hour long marathon unhealthy, and in all honesty, this still isn't healthy, but at least his students were really determined to fit 20 episodes in one day. Besides, he did notice that they were doing their average thing throughout the day, like training, homework, etc. The only difference he've noticed are the certain students were especially 'encouraged' to do their homework, and by 5 o' clock in the evening, the students gotten ready for their sleepover.
Over a couple of calls for takeout (mostly composed of pizza), the kids were already dressed in pajamas, either having excited chats, trying to finish up their homework, or trying to get in a few more exercise. Some of them even already took out sleeping bags.
Normally, Aizawa would had called them obsessive, but he'll never admit to correcting as much papers as he could just for this occasion.
By the time Toshinori and Hizashi came around, Denki already started the disk.
After skipping the opening and recap of the episode, they were greeted with, "Protect Kaya! The Usopp Pirates Great Efforts!"
In the forest, the Usopp Pirates were dragging Kaya around, glad that they might have escaped Jango and that they were able to protect Kaya so far. This joyful occasion was interrupted by the tree being cut down as Jango's chakrams were still able to cut through the forest easily like butter until the hypnotist were able to catch up to them.
"Okay, that's a lot more sharper than I thought." Jiro gaped.
"That thing should have chopped off Nami's arm!" Denki exclaimed.
"No, no, I don't want to think of that!" Toru shouted at him.
Jango was determined to cut down this entire forest as the kids and Kaya were able to hide behind one of the cut down trunks. There was a sigh of relief when Jango look off somewhere else until Carrot's nose brush against a branch. Onion and Pepper were able to cover his face just in time for him to not sneeze their cover away.
After a brief glimpse of Usopp and Zoro trying to find them, Kaya fell to the ground from running so much. She tried to have the kids run ahead of her, but the kids still refused. It gotten worst when it was revealed Kaya has a bad fever.
Hearing the kids whether or whether not they should take Kaya to a doctor, Jango threw his weapon in their direction, cutting down more trees. Kaya still told the kids to run away, and as Jango neared, it seemed like the kids might run off, but Usopp's actions for them caused them to continue on fighting even after Kaya was desperate for them to not die for her. Soon, Jango noticed their footprints, smirking to himself.
"I wouldn't want people to die for me, but she might die from this alone." Momo bit her thumb.
Jiro silently gulped. "Ugh, this is so frustrating."
Back to Luffy, the minions were shocked that he was able to break Kuro's Cat Claws as Luffy smirked and dropped off the rock to the side. One of the minions cheered for Captain Kuro when he can still fight, but another told him that name is taboo, so they decided to go with 'Kla-san' instead.
"Kla-san?" Mina giggled at the new nickname.
"Not very threatening." Hizashi let out a chuckle to himself.
Kuro told all of them to shut up and decided to exterminate them now. The minions begged for him to not since there's still time at attack the village, but it was too late. In fact, Kuro never intended on them to leave the village from the start since he doesn't want people who knew he existed to stay alive. All of this was part of his plan.
"He truly have no care for human life." Tokoyami's eyed widen in horror.
"What gave you that hint?" Katsuki sarcastically said.
Luffy called them dumb and uncool. Kuro claimed that pirate crews are just a bunch of social outcasts and they're nothing without plans. Basically, crew members are loyal pawns of the captain, so that means they have to die for his plans.
"They're still people!" Ochako shouted. "I know these guys are a bunch of villains, but they can't just die because you want to."
Even though Luffy haven't said a single word to him, Kuro felt his glare as a sign of talking down on him, becoming absolutely furious.
"But... he didn't say anything." Denki said, visibly confused.
"I guess he couldn't handle the heat." Jiro slightly smirked.
"Huh, no wonder he decided to quit being a pirate if a little stare is making him this angry." Hizashi lightly chuckled.
Even at his furious look, Luffy declared that Kuro will never be better than Usopp. At such a thing, Kuro laughed, telling him he shouldn't be cocky, asking what Usopp has that he doesn't. Even though the ex-pirate used Nuki Ashi, Luffy was confident, saying only one word: "Character."
Kuro became confused as Luffy whipped his rubbery arm at him, smacking him into the wall.
"He caught up!?" Izuku exclaimed in shock as students cheered for joy.
The minions gawked at the fact that Luffy caught up with Kuro's speed. Luffy's arm snapped back into place as he flipped in the air and landed on the ground.
Through the smoke, Kuro slicked back his hair, deciding to show him the 'true terror of a pirate.' The man stood up and started to rock back and forth.
The minions were horrified, shock that he's going to use his 'Shakushi' technique. They begged for him to stop. As the wind pass by, Luffy noticed Kuro's eyes seemed to have turned pure white.
The students shivered at the sight, but Kirishima was able to look confuse, like Luffy, at what's going on. "What? What is he doing?"
No one answered him, not that they could.
After the eyecatches, Kuro activated Shakushi. The man seemed to have disappeared into thin air, leaving purple smoke that spreads towards the minions.
From the Black Cat Pirates' ship, Nami was hauling some treasure, disappointing at the amount she've collected. She looked over the edge to see if the fight was over, but she was confuse when everyone just stopped.
Finally, the purple smoke reaches the minions, and suddenly, one of the minions was slashed by an invisible force.
"W-What the!?" Mina shouted over the gasps of the others.
"He can move faster than the human eye can comprehend?" Izuku gawked at such a thing. "Is he somehow traveling at the speed of light?"
Randomly, whether it's a minion or a rock, Kuro's claws made its mark. Through the massacre, one minion begged for Kuro to stop, but one pirate claimed that because of his speed, he doesn't know what he's cutting.
To Nami, it looked like they're being cut out of nowhere. Luffy could only stare at the chaos, not even bothered by the slashes at him until memories of Usopp, his friends, and Luffy's past came to him, and he finally shouted, "Who do you take your friends for?!"
Luffy stood still as claws and slashes decorated the area around him until one slash made its way into his side.
"Luffy!" cried out many students, worried he might be taken down already, but...
Luffy reached out, and suddenly was able to grab onto Kuro's coat to throw him into the ground.
Over the cheering students, Izuku said, "That's impossible unless... he was certain that he could sense Kuro despite his speed."
"That, or Kuro must be getting tired." Todoroki suggested.
Though he was beaten down, Kuro was smug enough to tell Luffy that he let his men in agony that it was better for them to die in the attack.
Luffy told him that he'll never be a man like him. He didn't flinched when Kuro pointed his blades at his face, telling him he can't be like him. Kuro withdrew his blades, and planned onto cause Luffy pain.
Once again, Kuro started to wobble hack and forth. Before Luffy could reach him, Kuro disappeared, activating Shakushi.
"Goddamn it, just let him beat you and your shitty shirt!" Katsuki shouted.
"Oh yeah, those weird shapes did look like poop." Denki realized.
Jiro smacked the back of his head. "Really!?"
Back in the forest, Jango was calling out to the kids to give up until he noticed a white flag was raised, waving, as the kids told him he can have Kaya. Jango didn't trust them, but took a few steps forward... into some rope, tripping comically to the ground.
The kids jumped into action as Onion shook pepper into his face, making him sneeze. Then Carrot came in with a frying pan and hit him on the crotch.
Over Katsuki's laughing, the other guys cringed horribly.
"This better not be a common thing!" Mineta accused, painfully wincing.
The two kids ran away, leaving the sneezing man there. The Usopp Pirates worked together to push the log. Though it didn't completely hit him directly, the log got him on his toes, jumping on one foot.
Together, the kids tried to attack Jango, but the hypnotist dodged Carrot and Pepper, and caught Onion by the throat. He told them that they shouldn't be so cocky, especially against a pirate, and he threw Onion against a tree.
"Damn it! I thought they were going to succeed." Kirishima shouted.
"Despite the antics, Jango's right. He does have more experience compared to them." Aizawa said.
Jango defeated Carrot and Pepper, then demanded Kaya to come out or else he'll execute the kids, so Kaya revealed herself. The kids screamed for Kaya to run away, loud enough for Zoro and Usopp to hear.
Kaya told him to leave the kids alone and she'll write her will. Pepper told her that she'll be killed if she wrote her will, and Kaya could only apologize, but Jango reminded her that she couldn't make deals since Kuro told him to kill everyone. At first, Kaya was furious, but then she noticed his weapons.
With Jango distracted, Kaya was able to grab it and threatened to kill herself unless he listen to her demands.
"Holy shit, she has more guts than I thought." Katsuki admitted, almost taken back by it.
"Kaya, that's dangerous!" Iida shouted.
"But it's working." Izuku said.
Jango promised to let the kids go, though he did reminded her that the kids are in no condition to run off. So, Jango took his weapon back, and Kaya wrote the will.
The kids could only watch as Jango pinned Kaya to a tree, readying his weapon.
With Usopp and Zoro, Usopp was patting Zoro's wound to tell him where Kaya and the others are. Right there, they could see Jango about to kill Kaya.
"Oh thank God, they can save her!" Toru cheered.
Zoro sprinted ahead, leaving Usopp behind. Kaya struggled to turn her head as one of the kids grabbed a shovel. Jango planned on finishing Kaya off quickly.
Then back to Luffy's and Kuro's fight, Kuro's claws made marks among the battle field until they reached Luffy's shoulder.
"To Be Continued."
"Curse you cliffhangers!" Denki shouted to the ceiling.
"You do realize that we have 19 more episodes to watch today, right?" Jiro said.
"Yeah, but cliffhangers still sucks."
"True."
After skipping the opening and the recap, they were greeted with, "Anger Explosion! Kuro Vs. Luffy! How It Ends!"
"Oh my god! Finally!" Katsuki shouted for joy.
There were sweeping shots of the slope until it stops with Kuro nearly slashing Luffy with a smug face, then disappeared only to reappeared behind them. Luffy asked if Kuro is tired since he's making a bunch of unnecessary movements.
"That's surprisingly a good point, and from him of all people." Aizawa said, incredulously.
Kuro simply told him not to get cocky, claiming that was just 'playtime.' Kuro plans on making him feel fear.
Once again, Kuro activates Shakushi and run along the walls, slashing everything until Luffy's rubber arms reached for him and successfully grabbed his ankle, causing Kuro to fall into the ground.
"Yes!" Ochako cheered along with the rest of the students.
Luffy lift his limbs around Kuro, and grinned at him now that Kuro use that technique anymore as the living minions were shocked that Kuro was caught.
Back in the forest, Jango was about to kill Kaya, but Pepper and Carrot stabbed the shovel into Jango's butt.
"No! Not the butt!" Mineta shouted over the cringing and laughing.
Jango attacked the kids with a kick. Jango warned Zoro he'll kill Kaya, but that was Zoro's plan as je sliced a branch off of a tree, giving Usopp a clear view.
Using the falling branch as a transition, the minions were cheering for Luffy. The rubber man head-butted Kuro. Stretching his head all the way back to the minions, Luffy shouted that they have no right to cheer him on.
"He's right. I don't want a bunch of cowards, like them, to cheer me on." Katsuki agreed.
Just as Usopp attacked with a "Koyaku Boshi," Luffy prepares his attack with, "GOMU GOMU NO..."
Usopp attacked Jango's head with an explosive.
"BELL!"
"My plan will not be disrupted!"
Flashes of Kuro's memories appeared, then with the sound of a ringing bell, Luffy head-butted him with enough force to knock him out, flying in the air.
"Hurray!" Students cheered for joy, pillows thrown in the air.
"It's finally over!" Katsuki shouted, just relieved that the arc is over.
The minions gawked, realizing Luffy had defeated Kuro. One of them asked who Luffy is.
"Monkey D. Luffy. I'd never lose to a pirate who ditches his name and runs from the sea. The only time a pirate should abandon his name is when he dies!"
"He's... a lot more serious about this than I thought." Todoroki blinked in surprise.
"Where have you been over the week when we were watching these?" Kirishima raised an eyebrow.
"Here."
"No, I meant, have you seen the last 17 episodes?"
"I just thought that being a pirate until your death is a bit extreme."
"It's his dream! He can be as passionate as he wants!"
The minions have never heard of him before. Luffy wants them to remember him for the rest of their lives, proudly proclaiming, "I'm the man who's gonna be King of the Pirates!"
A giddy feeling came over the class as he said those words, certain it will become true.
Luffy grabbed the unconscious Kuro by the collar and threw him at their feet, telling them to leave and never come back. They did as Nami ran to Luffy, just in time to catch him from falling.
"Wait, they actually took Kuro?" Jiro raised an eyebrow.
"Well, it's either that or be beaten by the guy who knocked out your murderous boss." Denki shrugged.
Luffy was on the ground, staring at the sky as Nami asked what he was mad about earlier. Luffy simply told her that he hated them and how they didn't act like friends, but Nami told him that's pirate behavior and Captain Kuro just happened to be the standard.
"She's right." Aizawa nodded. "If pirates were more like Luffy, they would be more on the line of vigilantes, not villains."
Luffy flickered his eyes towards Nami, then back at the sky, wanting meat. Nami covered his face with his straw hat.
With Usopp and the others, Usopp asked them to keep all of this a secret, which the kids were disappointed by since they fought for the village's sake and it'll change everyone's opinion of him, he could even become the village hero.
"Yeah, he deserved something." Denki agreed with the kids.
Still, Usopp doesn't want to worry everyone about this, and he doesn't mind pretending it never happened, that it was all a lie. Soon, the kids agreed, then Kaya as well.
"How noble of them." There was a certain twinkle to Aoyama's eyes, staring at this fondly.
At the village, the villagers were worried about Usopp not running around this time. Some were unmotivated, some were still waiting for him, and others thought they were too harsh on him yesterday.
"They did care about him!" Toru's voice bubbled up, feeling a sense of pride for Usopp.
"I guess 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' is true here." Hizashi said, shrugging.
On the broken up slope, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Usopp reunited. Usopp gave his thanks for them, but Zoro and Luffy told him that they wouldn't have done anything if Usopp didn't done something while Nami only cared about the treasure. Usopp laughed, but soon, he stared out at the ocean, claiming that this incident helped him make a decision.
"Oh, we're getting a new crew mate!" Kirishima exclaimed.
"Oh goody, an extra on the crew. How exciting." Katsuki sarcastically said.
"Come on, even after all he've been through, you don't think he's cool?"
"I mean, he's still weak."
After the eyecatches, the kids were with Usopp at their little base, asking why he brought them there. Usopp started out with congratulating the kids for fighting off the Black Cat Pirates, and as their captain, he felt proud of them, even when the kids became so embarrassed.
Usopp told them he decided to go out to sea. He's going to be a real pirate. The veggie kids stared at him with wide eyes as the corner of his mouth twitched. He wasn't too sure about staying here forever before, but as a man, he felt like he must set out onto the vast ocean, so he has to leave. The pirate flag is calling him.
The kids were devastated, wishing he was lying as they ask what will happen to them. Usopp planned on not telling the villagers and he wants the kids to send his regards to them, but the kids still don't want him to leave.
Usopp asked if they remember this place, the place where they first met.
"I have a feeling that there's going to be an emotional flashback." Jiro said.
"Why do I feel like that's going to be a staple for this anime?" Tokoyami asked no one in particular.
A flashback was shown of the first time meeting of the Usopp pirates. Just a well-known liar making some little kids his members of his crew, and their little adventures.
Some of the students were becoming somewhat misty eyed, feeling the importance of their memories.
The kids didn't want to hear about those days as the four of them started to cry. As their flag flapped in the wind, Usopp asked what their ambitions are.
The kids shout out their dreams. Carrot's dream is to run a pub, Pepper's is to become a master carpenter, and Onion's is to become a novel writer.
"Those are lovely dreams." Toshinori smiled fondly, wiping away a tear.
Usopp told them to swear that they'll follow those paths and never stop following their ambitions. With tears in their eyes, Usopp announced their little band of pirates are disbanded as their flag fly up to the sky.
"Really?" Katsuki said to some of the crying kids.
"It's inspiring, okay!" Toru shouted at him. "We're allow to cry, alright!"
At the little village's restaurant, Luffy, Zoro, and Nami were having a meal, planning on going out to the sea until Kaya came in, looking a bit healthy. Apparently her sickness was caused by the depression from losing her parents, and she doesn't want to be coddled anymore.
As a thanks, Kaya wants to give them a present.
"Wait, is that a thing? The sickness-depression one?" Denki whispered.
"I've heard it's a thing, so maybe?" Kirishima shrugged.
In Usopp's home, the long-nosed sniper packed every single thing he had, stuffing them all into one big backpack. He knew he have to say goodbye to the village and his old home... and Kaya.
Hizashi let out a hum, looking at the scene rather fondly. "Remember, moving out to your own place for the first time?"
"Are you trying to make me feel old?" Aizawa tried to hide his odd smile.
Usopp tried to leave his him, but... his giant backpack was caught by the doorway. After a lot of struggling, his backpack was finally free as Usopp was sent rolling down the hill.
As the kids laughed, Hizashi can't help adding, "Though I highly doubt it was this entertaining."
By the beach, there was a grand caravel ship with a sheep figurehead as the three marvel at their new boat. The boat was personally designed by Merry the butler, and its name is the Going Merry.
"Yes! A boat!" Kirishima cheered.
"It's adorable!" Toru shouted as Koda nodded in agreement.
"Eh... they better decorate this into something good." Katsuki grunted.
"Hey, it's cool as it is." Mina pouted, which Katsuki simply rolled his eyes at her.
Merry was about to explain the some of the mechanisms of the ship, but Nami told him to explain the ship stuff to her. Luffy loves the ship, especially the front, and Kaya even gave them supplies for their voyage.
Then they saw Usopp rolling towards them, bouncing around. Before he had a chance to crash into their ship, Luffy and Zoro lifted up a foot and stopped the collision course... hitting Usopp right in the face.
There was another round of laughter from the class.
Kaya asked if Usopp is really going, and Usopp said yes, asking her not to stop him. Kaya knew not to do so. Still, Usopp promised the next time he comes to the village, he'll tell stories that seem even more like lies, and Kaya looks forward to it.
"A maiden waiting for her pirate." Mina dreamily sighed. "You know, they look kind of cute together."
"Don't bring shipping into this." Katsuki let out an annoyed groan.
At first, Usopp called out to the others, saying he hopes to meet them again someday, but Luffy was confused by that. Usopp tried to explain that they might meet on the high seas someday as pirates, but Zoro told him to get on the ship already. They are friends.
Usopp momentarily stared at them in stunned silence until he jumped in the air, saying he have to be the captain. Of course, Luffy said he's the captain. Still, all four of them laughed together.
"They would never leave you behind." Izuku smiled.
"Sadly." Katsuki disappointedly added.
Watching them sail out to sea, the veggie kids were glad that Usopp is going with them, glad he got the chance to be a pirate, though they know the villagers will be sad to know that Usopp is gone. Then Pepper got an idea.
With Merry and Kaya, the two watch the ship sail away. Kaya admitted that lying hurts. Merry asked if she meant Klahadore, but in actuality, Kaya didn't want Usopp to leave.
Mina let out a soft gasp at the implication, but Katsuki quickly told her, "No shipping! I doubt we're going to see her again."
"It's just a little bit of fun." Mina pouted.
Merry told her a story from the villagers who told him about Usopp's childhood.
In the past, shortly after Usopp's father left the village, his mother passed away. Before she died, Usopp would yell lies about pirates and how his father would come back for them so they could go on adventures. Right on her deathbed, his mother knew his father isn't coming, but she was still proud that she married him. Still, young Usopp cried, telling her lies like a medicine that can cure any sickness. Her last words to him was to grow up to be a brave man like his father.
Merry theorizes that out of loneliness, Usopp would continue to shout about pirates after her death, maybe in hopes his father would come back. That lie of his contains his wish, and since Kaya lost her parents, Usopp couldn't ignore her.
"Stop being so sad and heartwarming, One Piece!" Ochako sniffed, using a tissue to wipe away her tears.
"So that's why he lies." Aoyama said, staring at the screen with interest.
On their new ship, Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and Usopp have made a toast to their new ship and crew mate, as Kaya was taught joy of living through Usopp's lies.
Back in the village, the three veggie kids decided to follow their captain's footsteps.
"Pirates are here!"
"Huh, a legacy lives on." Toshinori let out a small laugh.
Then Kaya told Merry that she wants to become a doctor.
"To Be Continued."
"Fucking finally." Katsuki sighed, lending against the couch as if a weight has been lifted off his shoulders. "Let's go on the next episode already!"
Chapter 12 - Episode 18
After skipping the opening, they were greeted with a rather peaceful looking day at sea, though intense music played as Usopp pretended that they were being attacked, but was disappointed in the others just lazying around.
"I mean, everyone needs their slow days too," Hizashi shrugged. "Even pirates and heroes."
Usopp was immediately surprised by Luffy, who finished his pirate flag, but his jolly roger looked rather... messy, to put it lightly. He asked the others about the mark.
The only thing he got right was that it did send fear... fear of his talent though.
Jiro let out a snort. "That's just... awful looking. It looks like something a five year old would make."
Usopp decided to leave this project to him, saying he has 50 years of drawing graffiti on walls. Of course, the others made fun of him for his 'age.'
"Really? 50 years? You couldn't have thought of a more realistic number?" Katsuki rolled his eyes.
Later, Usopp made a really nice looking jolly roger. The problem was that it's obviously his own marking. After a little beating, Usopp made the official jolly roger: a cartoonish skull wearing a straw hat like Luffy's. The mark was painted on the sail as Luffy felt like the Going Merry is finally complete.
Finally, the title card came up: "You're the Weird Creature! Gaimon and His Strange Friends."
Izuku blinked in surprise. "I think it's that chapter."
"What do you mean?" Ochako asked.
"Did you read ahead again, Deku?!" Katsuki furiously shouted.
"N-No! After Luffy, Zoro, and Nami left that town, there was a chapter with a similar name to this."
"So, you're saying that they rearranged some things again?" Iida nodded.
"Yeah, I guess so."
It seemed to be a peaceful day, but they suddenly saw dark clouds in the distance. It seemed dangerous, but Nami already have a map on hand and recognized the island under those clouds as the legendary Treasure Island, a famous island among pirates that have weird storied that usually involves god's wrath.
"Are you sure this isn't a filler episode?" Katsuki quickly asked Aizawa. "It feels like one."
"The sticky note didn't have episode 18 as filler," Aizawa dryly said. "And since Midoriya saw it as a chapter from the manga, it's canon."
Mina stuffed a pillow on Katsuki's face before he could scream out his lungs.
As they entered the storm, Usopp was terrified by this and the stories while Luffy was absolutely excited.
The Going Merry landed by this island as lightning and thunder rang throughout the sky. The four adventured into the island's forest as Usopp was already creeped out by the place.
Nami explained that there's suppose to be an extraordinary treasure on this island, and many pirates had fled in terror before they could even look for it, like one pirate's face have changed into a boar's or another have his mustache strange him.
"It is a Devil Fruit user?" Izuku muttered to himself.
"But what would it be? Some kind of... Ani-Ani No Mi?" Ochako guessed.
"That sounds like something more for an anime based power, not animals." Denki pointed out, somewhat teasing.
"Fine, then Fur-Fur No Mi!"
"Now that's more like a fruit for furries." Mineta joked with a somewhat sleazy smile.
Usopp asked if those stories are true and Nami could guess that they were somewhat exaggerated. Then sets of red, glowing eyes appeared in the darkness, but Zoro decided to take a nap on the ground in an instant.
While Nami and Usopp can't believe Zoro can sleep in a creepy place like this, Luffy found a... bunny snake?
"The fuck?!" Katsuki shouted, looking rather freaked out like his friends.
"Is it some kind of fusion Devil Fruit?" Izuku questioned as Koda stared at the creature curiously.
Nami and Usopp were looking around until something wet caused Usopp to shriek. He tried to pass it off as a dance until a roaster wolf licked his hand.
The two freaked out at the appearance of more strange animal combinations. They realized they were surrounded by the glowing eyes.
An echoing voice told them to leave, proclaiming that he's the island's god, and since they're pirates (which he have to ask), he've warned them of his divine punishment. More strange animals came out of the shadows.
"Yeah... this guy is no god. A god wouldn't want these abominations to exist." Katsuki said.
"Hey, the pig lion is cute!" Toru argued, which Koda nodded in agreement.
"Oh god, now all I can think of is how they're made." A look of pure horror appeared on Mineta's face, as if his own imagination just traumatized him.
"Well, good. Ribbit." Tsuyu said, not bothering to even tongue-whip him.
The 'god' claimed these animals were once humans he've transformed when they came to look for treasure. Usopp was already on one knee, but Luffy picked up the pig lion curiously until it bit his face, stretching him out. This caused the 'god' to be shock at what he is, a rubber man from a Devil Fruit.
The voice called him absurd, saying Devil Fruits are just a rumor when he was a pirate. Nami pointed the pirate part out, but the voice badly lied that he wasn't reminiscing.
"Too late, you were figured out." Jiro smirked.
At all the accusing, the 'god' released his divine punishment. Wooden spikes were sent their way as they tried to dodge them, though the spikes missed Zoro completely. Rocks from above fell and hit Luffy on the head, who was completely fine.
The 'god' was shock at how he's fine while the bush behind Luffy moved around. Luffy noticed him, and when the 'bush' tried to shot at him, the bullet bounced off of Luffy.
The 'bush' tried to run away, leaving his pistol behind as Luffy chases after him until he reached a cliff. At the sound of a broken branch, tree were able to find the 'bush' in a treasure chest, and he ran away once again until the guy bumped into a tree, fallen onto his back like a turtle.
The clouds floated away, revealing the sun. The sun revealed the man in that 'bush,' asking for help.
"...What the?" Katsuki stared at the man, dumbfounded.
"This has to be the weirdest character design so far." Denki said. "He's a literal bush man in a treasure chest."
"Congratulations, you're not longer the guy with the bush hair." Sero joked, pointing fingers at Izuku, which caused a shock expression to spread across his face.
When the man was able to stand up, he tried to run away, but Luffy was able to get him with his rubbery arm, though it did caused him and the bush man to be sudden launched off a cliff. Before the two could land in the water, Luffy grabbed onto a branch and they were blasted off to the sky.
After the eyecatches, Nami was patching up the bush man as the animals licked his face. Usopp ask if he use the animals to scare others off while Luffy asked if he's a sheltered son.
The man said he was overly pampered since he was a little boy... until he shouted that he's obviously not one. He can't get out of the box! In fact, he's been alone on this island and in this box for 20 years.
"Why is he living in a box anyway?" Ochako asked. "Like he can't get out of it?"
"I mean, he doesn't look like he has arms, just hands." Todoroki said.
Usopp caustically took out a pink thermal bottle to have a drink and asked that how he've been alone for 20 years. The man claimed that it's been 20 years since he had a conservation, asking them to understand how painful it it. Luffy thought it was ridiculous, which he took offense to.
Zoro finally woke up and took Usopp's drink, sitting down on a rock. Then he finally noticed the weird bush man, causing him to jump out of his seat. Luffy said the man is stuffed in a treasure chest, which Zoro asked if he's a sheltered son. Once again, the man was going through the same beats as before... then said to not do the same gag twice.
Jiro let out a little snort of a laugh as Denki said, "Oh! Fourth wall break!"
Luffy tried to pull the guy out of the treasure chest with Zoro helping him, but the man told them to stop. In all honesty, they couldn't budge him as the man claimed that due to his lack of exercise over the years, the treasure chest fits together with his body now, meaning if they break it, his body will get destroyed too.
"So, he's just a blob in that box." Sero wondered.
"Stop it! STOP IT! I don't want to think about it!" Mineta shouted with hands over his ears.
The man asked who they are since they're not like any pirates he've seen. Luffy causally says his name, claiming he's going to be King of the Pirates and get One Piece. The man was shock that they're going to the Grand Line, telling them not to take it lightly. He claimed that the pirates who'd managed to escape from the Grand Line looked like they've died.
"Now I'm interested." Tokoyami said, lending forward.
The One Piece have caused so many rumors upon rumors, and the 20-something years since the Great Pirate Era has started made the One Piece seem like a dream within a dream beyond a legend.
"So not even the marines have found it." Aizawa said.
"If they did, I'm pretty sure this 'Pirate Era' would had been over." Hizashi chimed in.
Luffy showed him the Grand Line chart, but they realized they don't know how to read it, giving them a laugh. Nami told them that if they do enter the Grand Line, it's best to earn as much money as they could, then escape. Luffy simply claimed he'll find One Piece because of his good luck, making Nami wonder how he got so much confidence.
The man stared at him, claiming that he's the same, like him, even claiming they look alike. Of course, Nami questioned that, but the man continued on the idea of achieving his dreams someday and how they're willing to put their lives on the line to search for treasure. That's what caused him to change his entire life.
He told them the story of 20 years ago when he and his fellow pirated landed on this island, which is to find treasure. After a month of searching, they found nothing but an empty treasure chest. Just as they were leaving, the man, named Gaimon, was curious about a hill, wondering if anyone looked theme. So he decided to climb up there and found a bunch of treasure chests. He was about to call out to his crew mates, but he slipped and fell into the chest from before. Gaimon found out that his crew left him behind, and for all this time, the treasure never left his mind, so he did everything he could to scare off pirates.
Izuku shivered. "So did his bones broke to fit in-"
"I said stop it! No body horror!" Mineta shouted.
"So, wait, does that mean those animals are just normal inhabitants of the island?" Iida asked.
"Stop it!"
"But I was just-"
"Stop!"
"Oh god," Katsuki sighed, rubbing his forehead.
Gaimon said the treasure is his, which Luffy didn't argue. In fact, they're going to help him get that treasure for him, though Luffy did ask Nami that isn't she a thief who steals from pirates. Nami thought of that as rude, saying she knows when it's appropriate or not.
"Oh, really?" Ochako raised an eyebrow, not too sure if she could trust her on that.
They reached the hill, riding on the cow turtle. Luffy used his "GOMU GOMU NO... ROCKET!" to reach the top, Gaimon asked if the treasure is still there. It took a while, but Luffy have found six treasure chests. Gaimon was so happy at the discovery, but Luffy refused to toss them down, much to Gaimon's shock.
"What!?" Ochako shouted as some other of the other students were just as shock.
"What's going on? Luffy's never been greedy about treasure before." Momo said.
"I... have a guess." Aizawa didn't elaborate any further on that.
Usopp and Nami told him to bring that treasure down for Gaimon, but soon the bush man realizes why Luffy's doing this, even claiming he's a great guy. He had an inkling, but... those treasure chests were empty and Luffy confirmed it.
"He wasted 20 years of his life guarding nothing." Todoroki bluntly said.
"No!" Toru shouted at this tragedy.
Gaimon claimed that this happens all the time with treasure that have maps as he cried. Though Gaimon grieved over this, Luffy let out a laugh, telling him not to get so upset since at least they came along. 30 years later and he might be dead.
Surprisingly enough, Luffy asked Gaimon to be part of his crew, which the bush man cried at such a kind offer, thanking him.
"Fuck no! We already have Long Nose. We don't need Bush Man over here. What would he even do on the boat?" Katsuki argued.
As the sun sets, Gaimon plans on staying on the island, protecting his real treasure: the odd animals. Though he didn't get his treasure, he felt free.
Even though Luffy called Gaimon the weirdest creature on the island, they still were able to laugh.
As Luffy and his friend on their ship, they waved goodbye as Gaimon was certain that Luffy will get the One Piece and buy the world.
"To Be Continued."
"Finally." Katsuki groaned.
"Hey, we need something a little more lighthearted." Ochako pouted.
"It could had been a little more interesting. It's about pirates for god's sake."
"But like the beginning of the episode, everyone have their calm days." Hizashi said, though Katsuki let out an annoyed sigh.
Chapter 13 - Episode 19
After skipping the opening, they were greeted with what seems to be a normal day on the Going Merry until Luffy came in with a wooden crate labelled 'DANGER.' In that crate was filled with cannonballs. Since they have a cannon, Luffy wants to practice.
"Well, I guess it's best to learn how to use the equipment." Iida said with a small shrug.
"Oh, cannons! A pirate classic." Kirishima claimed.
"I'm pretty sure cannons are more of a medieval castle thing." Sero replied.
"Why not both?" Jiro shrugged.
Ignoring Usopp's suggestion to let him use it. Luffy asked Zoro if he knew how to work it, but the swordsman was fast asleep. Luffy was disappointed, but Nami told him to aim for a reef as target practice.
As it fades into black, the title card came up. "The Three-Sword Style's Past! Zoro and Kuina's Vow!"
"Oh, a Zoro flashback!" Toru exclaimed with Tokoyami perked up in interest.
Izuku let out a big sigh of relief. "Finally."
"What is it, Deku?" Ochako asked.
"I am pretty certain that this is the flashback that was shown during the past manga chapters."
"Don't spoil anything!" Toru suddenly shouted before Katsuki could, covering Izuku's mouth.
The darkness faded away to a countryside town with a young Zoro looking over with a big smile on his face.
The girls cooed and awed at the younger Zoro as Sero cheered, "Flashback time!"
In a dojo, there were rows of children training with bamboo swords as a kind looking man looks over them, but soon he noticed young Zoro calling out to them, looking to challenge their dojo.
The man let out a laugh, claiming dojo-challenging was certainly rare nowadays.
"Do people still do those today?" Denki wondered.
He was only met with a few shrugs.
Zoro doesn't want to be taken lightly, claiming he's unrivaled in the next village over, and the man accepts it. Zoro told him that if he wins, he gets the dojo, and if he loses, he'll become a student here instead. The man accepts it, letting out a laugh, then called out a girl named Kuina, who looked a little older compared to the other kids.
"Oh, it's that blue haired girl." Denki pointed out, remembering her from Zoro's brief flashbacks from before.
Zoro was angry that the owner wasn't fighting him, but the owner told him that even though Kuina is a girl, she's even stronger than the adults here. This was coming from her father.
Zoro accepted it.
Jiro quirked an eyebrow, Why did he have to mention she's a girl? Isn't it obvious?
She had developed a few suspicions in her head, but decided to not say anything for now.
Coming inside the dojo, Zoro was offered to use the bamboo swords, which he took as much as his heart's content, or at least as much as his mouth and hands could take.
The young students looked at the scene strangely as Zoro and Kuina begin their battle.
When their fight begun, Zoro was successfully able to block on attack from Kuina, but in an instant, Zoro was already on the floor, swords scattered around. Kuina looked down at him.
"Wait, already?" Katsuki's eyes widen.
"So, this is where Zoro's beginnings come from." Tokoyami linked his hands together.
Still, Zoro was able to stand, holding up two swords, much to Kuina and her father's shock. Kuina asked if he studied Nitoryu before, but actually, today's the first time he held a bamboo sword.
Zoro refused to lose to this girl.
"Considering the fact that this is your first time even holding a sword..." Todoroki trailed off, feeling like he doesn't need to finish his sentence.
They could already see how this will go.
Zoro ran straight for her, but with one smack on the head, the match was already over. The other students cringed as there was a bright red mark on Zoro's face while Kuina compared him to a boar. Though her father lightly scolded her, Kuina told Zoro that it was 10 years too early for an amateur to use Nitoryu.
"Well, since he knows Santoryu in the future, Zoro must have gotten a match at least once." Denki said with confidence.
Izuku held his breathe, making sure he doesn't say a single word.
Zoro looked at her furiously, and Kuina threatened with another match. Surprisingly, Zoro accepted the defeat, now becoming a student of the dojo. He declared that he'll train a lot and he will defeat Kuina. The girl glared at him, telling him it will never come.
While Izuku internally screams, Katsuki shouted, "I will like to see you try!"
"Give it some time." Toshinori reassured.
A quick training montage was shown that no matter the weather, Zoro is training as hard as he could with Kuina watching over him, even defeating an adult, but even with all of that, Zoro couldn't defeat Kuina... two thousand times in a row.
"Two thousand?!" Many students shouted at the same time.
"Okay, she's a lot better than I thought." Katsuki said, feeling a bit frustrated for Zoro, especially that phase: "You're still as weak as ever, Zoro."
That one made him a little ticked off.
Meanwhile, Jiro raised an eyebrow again when Kuina added, "You're so pathetic. Especially for a boy."
The students whispered to themselves that Zoro couldn't have be weak since he can defeat adults, but Kuina still said he's weaker than her.
Kuina left with mocking words. As Zoro dusted himself off, the other kids asked their Sensei if he was secretly training Kuina since she's his daughter. He said said he didn't. Zoro was able to grow stronger, but so did Kuina.
"Good point." Aizawa said. "Just because you've grown stronger doesn't mean your opponent haven't as well."
Zoro went outside to wash his face, but cursed himself for not defeating her, and he plans to fight her tonight, not noticing Kuina was watching him.
That night, the Sensei was talking to another man about Zoro and how strong he've grown in a year, especially compared to the other pupils. Still, he wasn't able to defeat Kuina. The Sensei claimed that female swordsmen are faced with such difficulties and he can't let her inherit the dojo.
"Wait, why not? She's literally better than Zoro right now." Sero said while Jiro narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
Kuina listened to the whole thing, and confronted her father, telling him she'll be the world's greatest swordsman. Her father told her she won't be able to become the world's strongest as a girl.
Distress was on her face as she could only walk off.
Jaws dropped at what he said as Momo quietly realized, "Is that why there weren't any girls in his classes?"
"Well, fuck off, you sexist!" Mina furiously shouted. "Kuina can do it! You literally saw her grow."
Izuku internally screamed once again as the girls visually fumed at what the man said. The guys didn't dare to say anything, though Katsuki added, "She literally defeated Zoro 2000 times. What more do you want?!"
Zoro found Kuina in the rice paddy fields, asked why she's here. Kuina angrily asked the same thing. Zoro asked for their 2001st fight, hoping this would be their last, but this time they'll fight with real swords.
Kuina accepted it. Then she got her sword from what look a storage house. A sword with a white sheath, called the Wado Ichimonji.
Students were worried about the outcome as Iida shouted, "That's dangerous, especially for children like you two!"
Meanwhile Tokoyami stared at the Wado Ichimonji, recognizing it as the blade that's usually in Zoro's mouth in the future. His eyes widen as guesses and theories popped up in his head.
After the eyecatches, Kuina and Zoro were in a grassy field, surrounded by trees. Zoro have two swords while Kuina just have the Wado Ichimonji.
As blades of grass pass by, Zoro charges after her and swung, but only gotten strands of her hair as Kuina blocked his attack. After Zoro was able to block an attack from her, the two separated. They stared at each other, then run towards each other, trading attacks and blocks until Zoro was panting. Kuina mocked that holding two swords is quite heavy, meaning he's still lacked strength. Distracted by her insult, Zoro was knocked off his feet, his swords flying in the air. As Zoro falls, it looked like Kuina was going to kill him, but instead, she stabbed the sword into the dirt next to his head.
This is Kuina's 2001st win.
A sense of relief came over the audience, glad they weren't hurt.
"Geez, did you wanted to kill him?" Denki swiped away sweat from his forehead.
As Kuina cleaned herself, Zoro started to cry, cursing himself for not winning, but Kuina claimed that she should be the one crying, much to Zoro's confusion. She said that when girls grow up, they get weaker than men, so that'll mean he'll catch up soon.
"No, that's not true!" Ochako shouted, practically jumping up from her seat. "Girls can beat guys as long as you keep training. We'll show you."
The girls let out cheers of agreement while Kirishima shouted back, "And we won't hold back!"
Kuina wished she was born a boy, but Zoro told her she shouldn't whine after she've beaten him. Zoro didn't care about all that gender stuff, angry that she's acting like this isn't about skill and that it feels insulting for the hard training he've done, so she shouldn't say all of this.
Zoro asked her to promise him that one of them will be the world's greatest swordsman. Though she called him weak, she agreed to the promise, holding his hand.
The students smiled fondly on the scene, but Izuku let out a deep breathe, preparing himself for what's to come.
There might be another training montage as it was shown Kuina fighting against an adult, then Zoro training outside with big rocks... until three of the students appeared before him with shadowed faces, as if they seen something horrible. Zoro asked what they want.
"Kuina... Kuina's dead."
A silence came over everyone, letting those simple words sink into their heads. The silence was broken when Izuku let out a sob, clinging onto his notebook as tightly as he could.
"No. It can't be." Katsuki's eyes widen as much as they could. "She was alive just a second ago."
"...It always seem like that." Aizawa gravely said, keeping his eyes down.
It rained on that day, on Kuina's funeral. As her coffin traveled across the rice paddies, her father explained her death was caused when she slipped and fell down the store house steps, looking for a sharpening stone.
"No, that can't be how she died!" Katsuki exclaimed over the quiet sobs of the others.
"Not everyone's death is going to be grand, even if you're a prodigy." Toshinori quietly said, not shying away his tears.
Katsuki tried to calm himself down, but he sent a glare towards Izuku. "You knew about this, didn't you?"
"...I saw her body as she laid there with a towel over her eyes," Izuku quietly confessed, causing a couple of eyes to land on him. "It wasn't very graphic, but it was sobering."
Katsuki didn't say another word, looking away.
Zoro run through a foggy day to the dojo, with two bamboo swords in his hand. The dojo was empty, and it didn't feel right.
Through his training, Zoro trained as intensely as he could, much more intensely than he had before, but he felt like someone was watching him. When he've broken down those old training dummies, Zoro noticed Kuina's father with the Wado Ichimonji.
In the dojo, it was just the two as his Sensei told him that people are such fragile things, telling him that Kuina practiced in the dojo since she was little and exceeded even the adults. Because of this, she was rather self-conceited until Zoro came around and gave Kuina the goal to become stronger and to begun to break down the walls of female swordsmanship, but he admits that he's just an ordinary parent too. Looking at Zoro, he could feel his pain.
Zoro cried, letting his tears fall to the ground. He asked if he could have Kuina's sword. He wants to become stronger than her, strong enough to reach Heaven. Because of their promise, Zoro has to become the world's strongest swordsman.
His Sensei accepted it, leaving Kuina's spirit and dreams with him, and so, Zoro cried loud enough to be heard from above.
There was still a silence in the room besides the quiet sobs that tried their best to be respectful. Memories of their friends, promises, and bonds fueled their tears, though there are others who solemnly stared at Zoro's promise. What seems like an average day can turn into disaster all of a sudden... A feeling some of them have felt before, a feeling some of them have experienced before.
"To lose your friend at such a young age... Someone who shares your dream..." Tokoyami barely raised his voice above a whisper as Aizawa let out a shuttering sigh.
"But I'm sure Zoro will achieve their dream." Hizashi slightly smiled, giving Aizawa a look as he gently squeeze his shoulder.
All their homeroom teacher could do is a nod.
It's been years later as an older Zoro stood in front of two boulders larger than himself. With all three swords, Zoro easily cut the ropes and sliced the rock into pieces.
Standing in front of her grave, Zoro offered burning intense sticks as his Sensei planned to see him off. Before Zoro could leave, his Sensei told him to take care.
It brought a few of them to smile, feeling like they've watched Zoro grow up themselves, but...
There was an explosion as Zoro woke up just in time to see Luffy shooting out cannonballs at rocks. Usopp told him to give him a chance at this, and on the first try, Usopp was able to shoot down the faraway rock. It was obvious that he didn't expect that, but he tried to pass it off as something he did on purpose, making Luffy cast him as their sniper.
Zoro looked at their childish antics with a smile.
"Good, we're going through some sillier times." Momo wiped away her tears with a tissue.
In Going Merry's kitchen area, Usopp was trying to 'humor' Luffy on the position of captain while Zoro slept and Nami read her book. Soon, Luffy decided they need to fill in one position before they go into the Grand Line: a musician.
Of course, the others called him an idiot.
"Hey, don't come to me when- " Before Hizashi could continue, Aizawa said with a small smirk, "Don't use gags twice."
"Hey, if the kids can use gags more than that, then I can do it too."
Suddenly, they have an intruder on their ship, yelling at them to come out. Their intruder looked looked like an average man in sunglasses with a tattoo of the symbol for 'sea' on his left cheek, though he was currently threatening them with a sword.
Luffy asked who he is, but the man was purely angry, destroying the railing.
"Hey, they just got that boat!" Toru shouted at him.
The man told him that he and his partner have took down many pirates before, asking if he's the one who tried to kill his friend.
Zoro seemed to recognize that voice. Luffy told the mystery man to get out of here, using his rubber abilities to throw him against a wall. Zoro came out, asking if that was Johnny.
While Katsuki quietly cursed (surprisingly) about extras, Ochako questioned, "Zoro knows him?"
Johnny didn't recognize him at first, but through the sunlight, the man saw him as 'Big Bro Zoro.'
Luffy look on in confusion as Zoro asked Johnny about Yosaku. Finally, Luffy asked if Zoro knows them.
"To Be Continued."
"Well, that was a lot more intense episode than I thought." Jiro commented on.
"Everyone has a backstory." Momo slightly smiled.
"Still, do you think we would get more?"
"Zoro's, or just backstories in general?" Toru asked.
"...Backstories in general."
"I mean, we got to get the backstories of the other main characters." Katsuki shrugged.
"Oh, so that would mean we should get Nami's backstory someday. Maybe we get to understand why she's greedy." Ochako clasped her hands together, eager for more One Piece.