Double or Nothing: Chapter 10

Are You Ready to Risk it All?

True to her, we got to the island in two days. With the light of dawn just about to peek out from the horizon, we could see the outline of the Legionary's Triremes bobbing with the gentle waves. "Told you we could make it," Nami yawned as she leaned on the steering oar of my skiff with a grin across her lips.

"That we did," I chuckled as I hopped off the prow and back on the deck of my skiff. We spent much of the two days sailing, but it was well worth it as our price just lay a few miles away. All that's left was the actual fight ahead.

Grabbing myself a satchel of bombs and checking my earpiece, I asked my partner, "Hey Nami, you remember the plan right?" While the winds and the tides carried us to our destination, we talked in length on what we're going to do once we got here. It'd be suicide jumping head first into this without a plan especially with the Donquixote pirates involved.

"Of course I do," Nami scoffed as she adjusted the sail. "While I handle the ships and steal whatever valuables they have," She grunted, steering the ship away from the shore where the pirates were and directed our ship to the other side of the island, before she added, "You on the other hand would take care of the Legionary and whoever the Donquixote Pirates send over."

I nodded back as I strapped the satchels of explosives to my hips and gave my earpiece snail a pat on the head. It was a simple plan. We strap explosives to the ships of the Legionary and blow their ships up so they wouldn't escape, knock out whoever the Donquixote Pirates send, and make off with the prisoners, gold and the Devil Fruit.

While I could possibly kill the Donquixote pirate, I wasn't quite ready with that kind of heat. Having them trapped in an island for a while would probably amuse the blonde bastard more than anger him. Rolling up my sleeves and securing my swords, I told the red head, "Don't bail on me, ok? You know you're my only ride,"

"Please, as if I'd let you have all the bounty," Nami replied with a teasing grin. Shaking my head, I climbed up the edge of my ship. While I have my apprehensions with Nami, I know that she's not going to just bail on me especially with all the money involved.

Just as I was about to take a dive, Nami called out to me, "Hey Kuina."

Turning, I quirked a brow at her as I asked, "Yeah?" Staring at the concerned look on her face, I stepped off the railings before sitting down.

"Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked as she steered our ship round the island and as far away from the pirate fleet as possible. "The Legionary Pirates might not be the strongest pirates in the East Blue, but they have a combined bounty of ten million berries and we still haven't talked about who the Don Quixote Pirates would send over," She warned me as she frowned.

"If things go south, I won't be able to help you," She told me as a heavy feeling settled upon the ship. "I could only run some distractions and that's it," She added as I nodded back. It was always a possibility that things would go wrong, but it's just something I had to live with.

"I know my limits," I told her. "If it's too much, we'll just have to settle for the Legionary Pirates and let the Don Quixote Pirates go," I replied. In case the Don Quixote Pirates sent someone strong, we could always just get after the East Blue Pirates and make off with their ill gotten wealth. The loss of a Devil Fruit would hurt, but it was not the end of the world.

"You better!" Nami replied as she crossed her arms across her chest and gave me the cutest of glares. I was sure she was trying to be serious, but I simply can't find her anything other than adorable. "I swear I'll find a Necromancer to bring you back from the grave and slap you silly if you do something stupid!" She threatened, earning a chuckle from me.

"Ok ok, I'll be careful. I promise," I replied as I felt my cheeks heat up. After months alone in the sea, having someone to worry for me once more was a welcomed change of pace.

Grabbing the oar once more and clutching it closer to her chest, she asked me, "Come back in one piece, ok?"

Smiling, I replied, "I will." It was still far too early for things to end here. I needed to go beyond the borders of the East Blue if I'm going to prove myself. I was going to cut my journey short by losing to some no names.

As I saw the rays of the sun peeking out of the horizon, I stretched and limbered up. "Welp, I better head out," I groaned as I rolled my shoulder and neck, preparing myself for the long swim ahead. "Sun's starting to rise," I pointed. There wasn't much time left before there would be too much light for us to travel safely.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes before diving into the sea. The cold waters of the depths was enough to wake me up as I broke up to the surface and swam. "Good luck!" Nami shouted as her silhouette disappeared behind me.

The waters around the islands were calm, but I still couldn't help but feel on edge as I approached my first ship. Keeping my lips below the water, I approached as quietly as I could. While Nami would handle most of it, I still did my part as I slapped an explosive in the underside of the ship. It was strange seeing something so modern as remote detonated explosives, but it was quite the boon.

I worked as fast as I could, diving below the ship to cover as much ground and avoiding prying eyes, before I eventually ran out of explosives. With my work done, I turned my attention to the shore. It was filled to the brim with pirates, but they were far too busy to notice little old me as I climbed up the temporary harbor they built inside the protective cove.

"Be careful with that!" One of the officers shouted as they angrily waved their gnarled wooden cane at the men who were currently setting up a dining area complete with candle holders, fine china and the food to match. "Do you know how expensive those chairs are?" They screamed at the poor saps responsible for carrying them before threatening them, "I swear if you drop those silk pillows I'll have you keel hauled!"

"Rolling out the red carpet for the guests huh?" I muttered before shaking my head at how they treated their crew. No wonder their men were slacking off the moment the officers took their eyes off them, not that I was complaining. It certainly made my life easier as I passed by a sleeping sentry.

Making a dash for the tree line, I made myself scarce as I climbed up a tree. Up there, I could see the whole camp while being hidden myself. After making sure that there wasn't anyone else up here, I leaned back against a sturdy branch and made myself comfortable. I was going to be here for a while.

-x-x-x-

It wouldn't be until mid day before I heard the men shouting once more. Cracking open an eye and gazing out of the protected cove, I found the jolly roger of the infamous Warlord flying off in the distance. Reaching for my snail, I whispered, "They're here."

"Got it," Nami whispered back as I got up from my perch and rolled my shoulders. "The bombs are all set," She reported as I looked around, trying to find the red head, but couldn't even with the lack of women amongst the crew below. "Ready when you are," She told me.

It was now or never. Crouching down on my perch, I watched closely as the ship approached the harbor. As the men scrambled to get the ship tied to the pier, I felt for the hilt of my sword. Why did Doffy send his men up here? What the hell did the Legionary find that made the warlord come to them instead of the other way around?

Those questions would have to wait for now as the gangplank extended down the pier. With the Legionary in parade formation to greet them, the captain, a man who sported a red cape and wore gold armor of all things, stepped up to meet the Warlord's crew member.

"Welcome!" The portly man greeted me as I found myself staring at the figures that stepped out of the ship and almost immediately cursed at my luck.

"Shit, there's two of them," I hissed out as I clenched the hilt of my sword tightly. It wouldn't have been a problem if they were some no name pirate, but I knew who these two were. The rotund man's distinct propeller shaped haircut and the buxom maids arsenal of weapons strapped to her back was hard to miss.

"You must be the representatives from the Donquixote Family." The captain said to the two with an eager smile as he gave them a shallow bow before gesturing at the table they prepared just for the occasion, "Please, have a seat. I'm sure you're tired from the voyage."

"Now this is a proper welcome!" The rotund man laughed as he made his way to the table and immediately grabbed a leg from the roasted chicken. "I could definitely get used to this!" He grinned, showing off the mark of the Donquixote pirates etched into his buck teeth, before chomping down.

"Buffalo!" the woman shouted at the man before scolding him, "You're representing the young master. Control yourself!"

The man grimaced as he slowly turned back to his companion. "But Baby 5, what do you think our lovely host would feel if we didn't partake in the feast they prepared for us?" The man pleaded, clearly just wanting to eat. I'd be more empathetic of his plight if not for the problem these two presented.

"Damn it," I grumbled, not liking my odds. If they sent just one person, I had a shot, but two was a problem especially when one of them could fly while the other was a living arsenal of weapons. Times like this made me wish I mastered Geppo. "At least they didn't send Pica or Diamante," I muttered. Those two would have been all but impossible as I was right now.

"Kuina?" Nami's voice echoed in my ears. "Should I set off the bombs?" She asked as I hesitated. The two were a problem, but I could take them on, maybe? I wasn't sure. They were younger than the ones I was familiar with, but that didn't make them any less dangerous.

"May I remind you what we came here for?" Baby 5's voice cut through the din, making Buffalo let out a long suffering sigh.

"Fine, Business first before we dine, ninnn?" He replied as he set down the leg on his plate before wiping his hands on the silken tablecloth. Despite the pained look on the Legionary Captain's face, he held back his tongue.

Letting out an annoyed huff, Baby 5 turned to the captain. "I hope you have the merchandise ready," She asked pointedly as she crossed her arms across her chest. "We didn't come all the way here just to leave empty handed," She told the man as she joined her companion at the table.
"Kuina?" Nami asked once more as I gritted my teeth.

Taking a deep breath, I let go of my sword before I reached up for my snail. "It's too dangerous," I told her as I shook my head. "These guys are no joke," If I had Zoro with me, we'd definitely take them on, but I'm just alone. I couldn't risk it, not when the odds were in their favor. "We can still salvage this situation though. Whatever they came here for to send two lieutenants must be one hell of a prize," I whispered. It wasn't the grand prize I wanted, but it was at least something.

"Of course, of course," The man smiled as he sat opposite them before gesturing at his men. With the nod, they ran off into the jungles. Turning back to them, the man told them, "Now while my men retrieve the merchandise, how about we discuss the matter of payment."

"Oh?" Buffalo raised a brow as he set his elbow on the table before leaning forward. "Talking about payment when we haven't even seen the product? Don't you think it's a bit disrespectful, ninnn?" He replied as a wide grin stretched across his face.

"I mean no disrespect, but it's just a matter of business you see," The man replied appeasingly as he raised his hands in surrender. Sighing dramatically, the man leaned back against his seat, "It's often hard to find clients these days that are willing to renege on a deal unlike the Doflamingo Familia!" As he turned his gaze back at them, the man smiled back as he said, "I heard that their words are worth their weight in gold!"

The dangerous edge in Buffalo's smile melted away as he chuckled. Leaning back against his seat. "I think you'll find that there's some truth in those words," He replied before turning to his companion, "Baby 5?"

Nodding, the woman gestured for the crew of their ship before they came out with several large chests. With wide eyed surprise, I leaned forward, eager to have a better look. "Just as we agreed to," She told them as she got up before casually kicking the locks of the chest. For a moment, I saw the glint of a blade on her legs, before it carved through the soft lock.

Reaching down to the now opened chest, she pulled its cover up and revealed what was inside. I could feel my jaw drop at the sheer amount presented before the pirates. "One Billion Berries in gold," the woman casually said as the men around her murmured, their eyes glinting with greed. "I hope this is enough?" She asked as she walked back to her seat.

"What kind of fruit cost that much?" I whispered as I felt for the trigger in my pocket. Just as Nami could set her own charge, I could as well. Two sets of explosives to make them panic and possibly take out those foolish enough to try and take off in the other ships.

Grinning widely, the man looked just about ready to leap off his seat, but he still had enough control to walk towards the chest. Digging his hands inside the coin filled chest and biting one of the coins, he nodded happily. "Excellent," The man chuckled as he turned his attention to the men carrying a large heavy set chest.

"It took us quite a while to find this fruit, but I can assure you it's worth every penny," The man said as he pulled out a key and unlocked the chest. Pulling back the lid, he shouted, "Behold, the Double Double Fruit!"

I felt my mouth dry up as I gazed locked on the cherry like fruit nestled inside the chest. As I stood there, I felt a call deep inside me. Like a siren's song, I could feel myself drawn into it as I lost myself in those swirls. Is this what a Devil Fruit feels like to all who ate it?

Feeling rage bubbled up inside my chest as the man picked up the fruit, I held back as the man spoke, "Just as it's described in the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia." Showing off the fruit to the two, he described the fruit, "A fruit capable of doubling anything and everything. Be they gold, weapons or as legends claim, people, all could be duplicated with but a touch." Setting it back inside its chest, the man added, "Truly, it's a fruit without equal."

Pausing, I considered what that meant. If you could duplicate people… how would it affect those with devil fruits just like the Ope Ope no Mi? The possibility was simply insane. I… I need this fruit, if not to consume it, at least I'd get this as far away from that monster as possible. Fuck, if he could duplicate SMILE fruits…

I can't let them get the fruit. Reaching for my snail, I whispered, "Nami?"

"Kuina, don't do it!" Nami screamed at me as if knowing what I was about to do. This was so stupid, I swear I could see her trying to find me so she could punch me, but I never expected this fruit to land in my lap. It was now or never. Win it all or lose this chance.

Shaking my head as a wry smile stretched across my lips, I pulled out my trigger before apologizing to my friend, "I'm really sorry for this, but I have done this." Without any hesitation, I pressed the trigger and the ships buckled before exploding into hundreds of tiny fragments.

Burning debris rained down on the shores as the men panicked. "What?!" The captain screamed as he grabbed his head and stared in horror at his burning fleet. "My ships!" Even the Donquixote Pirates were taken aback.

"We're under attack!" The men shouted as they scrambled to put out the fire while some would run for their ships. On cue, as soon as they tried sailing off, their ships turned into cinders as well as Nami's explosives set off in a spectacular shower of fire and smoke.

Grinning savagely, I laughed at the carnage below. I really owe Nami this one. Maybe she'll forgive me if I gave her parts of my share, but knowing her, she'll demand everything. Whatever the case was, that would be for future me to worry about. Right now, I still have these two to take care of.

"Who the hell's attacking us?" The captain screamed in rage as he pulled out his sword. "There shouldn't be any Navy patrol on this part of the Sea!" He shouted as he grabbed the nearest officer and demanded an explanation. Tsk, that simply won't do.

Dropping down from the perch, I landed hard on a passing man, making them crumple beneath my sandals. As their eyes turned on me, I smiled back and waved back at them. "Yo! Sorry about the ships, but they were not guarded so I couldn't help myself," I apologized as a shit eating grin stretched across my lips.

The shade of red which the man's face turned to was almost comical as he shouted, "You bitch!" As the pirates got their bearings, I quickly found myself surrounded. Good, that means I wasn't going to miss if I swung my sword. "I swear, once I get my hands on you-!" the man screamed before I cut them off.

"Yeah, yeah," I waved them off as my eyes locked with Baby 5. "I'll deal with you later," I told the man as I drew my sword. "It's not everyday that I get to fight someone from the Grand Line!" I said as Baby 5 raised her brow. She really doesn't see me as a threat, huh? Good.

"Kuina! Get out of there-!" Nami shouted before I pulled the snail and pocketed it. Getting distracted now would be quite deadly.

"Ninnn," Buffalo hummed as he stripped a drumstick before downing a glass of wine. "And they say that the weakest sea is boring," the man casually said as he glared at me. His jovial tone now gone as he got up from his seat, probably pissed I disturbed his meal.

"You have a lot of nerves interrupting the official business of a Warlord," Baby 5 said as she got up as well as her heeled shoes gained a deadly edge. "Leave," the woman ordered as she got between me and the fruit.

"Nice fruit you got there," I said as I glanced towards the unguarded chest. Smiling, I asked her, "Hey Baby 5, would you mind if you hand over the fruit? I'd really appreciate it if I don't have to fight someone as beautiful as you~"

There was a pause in the battlefield as everyone just stared at me before Baby 5 piped up, "Ok~" Grabbing the chest, she offered the devil fruit to me, "Here you go!"

Panicking, Buffalo dashed towards the woman before cuffing her on the back of the head. "Baby 5!" He shouted as the woman pouted at him, "Get a hold of yourself!"

Unable to contain myself, I laughed. "Holy shit, I didn't know you'd actually do that," I said as I wiped the tear off my eye. "I'm really sorry about that. No hard feelings, right? Since I am going to beat you two up and take your stuff," I apologized. It was a dick move, but they were pirates.

"I don't know who the hell you think you are, but you are dead! You hear me?" Buffalo shouted as he marched at me, eyes twitching in rage.

Grinning back, I crouched low as I taunted, "You could try, but I doubt you'll even be able to catch me especially with those short legs of yours." Fuming red, the man screamed signaling the start of the battle as the pirates opened fire.

"Come on your bastards, come and get me!" I shouted as I launched myself into the frey. In the back of my head, I could hear my fear screaming, but it was soon drowned out by the din of the battle and my joyous laughter. Truly, nothing could compare to the rush of battle.

A/N:

Finally done with this. Moving on to the winner of November polls. Also, going to try and set up some polls tomorrow. Probably after I made a chapter? Hopefully...