Chapter 9: Planning

~Tatsumi POV~

[Quest: Liberate Conomi Islands from the Arlong Pirates.]

[Participant: Everyone in the group chat.]

[Rewards: 5000 points, the shop feature to be unlocked, and one random reward.]

[System Note: The time in the original world will be stopped when everyone is going to the quest.]

[Countdown: There are none.]

While I was thinking of some alternatives here, I see that the other members all began to talk to each other.

Looks like Saeko is already giving the rundown of what exactly One Piece is as well as the description of the place. Even discussing devil fruits, and the oddities of the one-piece world.

But it looks like everyone seems to be distracted about what the world is about and what is our objective is here. It's obvious that we have to liberate Nami's hometown and island, but my concern comes around why us?

I don't mean to disrespect the purpose of our mission here being good I'm more concerned as to if the main cast failed here or something else happened that we had to go.

Maybe I'm overthinking this a bit too much. Man, my time in Akame ga Kill made me such an overly paranoid guy.

Even now I doubt the random chat group appearing in my life but even so a small part of me kind of wish I denied it and followed the plot of Akame ga Kill. Even if there was the chance of being killed, I had prior knowledge of the plot so I knew for the most part what happens even so I train to be sure I come out on top.

Sigh…

No use worrying about regrets now at least this way I can become stronger in the beginning and make it easier in the future. Even then I would still need to work to make it happen.

The Arlong Park Arc also referred to as the Arlong Arc, is the fifth story arc in the East Blue Saga of the manga and anime, One Piece.

After Nami steals the Going Merry, Roronoa Zoro, Usopp, and later Monkey D. Luffy and Sanji set after her and wind up in Cocoyasi Village, Nami's hometown ruled by the tyrannical Fish-Man Arlong. It is here that Nami's past and true motives come to light.

That's what happened in the anime or manga anyway.

Returning myself to the attention of Saeko finished explaining to everyone about the world were going to next as I listened to everyone, I couldn't help but be the one to ask the question. Because if we don't talk now then it will become a problem later.

EsdeathBitch: Hey everyone how should we go about this exactly?

Hearing my question with some confusion in my voice after Saeko was done explaining everything Hinata and Ruby also seemed to be lost.

It's true what I mean there could many ways to go about this mission, but the question is how we as a group should proceed to complete it.

I bet that is one thing this chat group would need to voice our opinions of how it should be done to make this work. Otherwise, will have inside fighting with two groups doing different things contradicting each other's plans forward.

The reason why I'm even discussing this issue right now is that not all of us are not completely fine killing an enemy unless we capture them. Mostly talking about Ruby honestly because of her hero-like nature.

However, it's because Ruby will most likely try to force the group to follow her plan because as much as I dislike the idea Ruby as well as Hinata are the strongest of the group. And with Ruby's hero nature and her age being near childlike as well as not mature enough to do this that is going to be a VERY big problem.

That is going to be an issue that needs to be solved now otherwise it would start up like the Volume 8 plot with the group choosing sides. That is something we don't need to happen.

LittleRed: Huh? What do you mean Tatsumi? We should liberate the Connomi Islands from the Arlong Pirates, right?

EsdeathBitch: Exactly. But the issue is how should we go about this? Like for example do we extremely go by killing them or using just enough force to make them flee?

Princess: I agree with Tatsumi this on how we should go about this. And from what Saeko said about these Fishman… They are physically ten times as strong as normal humans from birth and this difference is magnified underwater, where a human's power is cut in half, while fish-men not only are completely unhindered but are even strengthened. Is that right?

SwordBae: I agree. These Fishman would only need to knock me down with a simple flip of their wrist to kill me. And be reminded that unlike everyone here I haven't exactly been trained in these sorts of combat before if anything I will become a burden on all of you…

EsdeathBitch: I agree with Saeko on that one. I might be confident to face or two at least but a whole group of them is a different matter. Even as highly skilled as I am there is a limit to what I can do against them unless I kill but even then, I don't know their strength.

Princess: I can agree on that but that is why we need to talk about this when we have the chance since we don't know the whole situation.

LittleRed: If that's the case with you guys being weak why not use your [Aura] then?

SwordBae: Huh? Um… Ruby, what exactly are you talking about this is the first time you're talking about this [Aura] you speak of?

LittleRed: Oh really? I guess I mention how my powers worked have I? Whoops. I forgot that you guys aren't from Remnant to know this stuff but it's mostly common knowledge to those in Combat Academies to know as most people aren't aware of [Aura] a whole lot but to a certain degree.

I for one was acting very calmly at this so did everyone else but on the inside, I was cursing nonstop because I was overthinking reasons why Ruby had never spoken about this.

But to my genuine surprise, it was actually because Ruby forgot. What the fuck. And here I was thinking it was some kind of elaborate reasoning behind it.

Sigh.

I'm a very paranoid person. I think I need help.

Shaking my head away from this Ruby then began to explain the perks of having [Aura] and the perks of having [Semblance] as well.

[Aura] is the manifestation of one's soul in RWBY and can be used for a wide range of abilities. The specific abilities and their strengths differ from individual to individual and are dependent on several factors, such as experience, training, and innate skill.

It is predominantly used for protection from harm. Some people develop an active power called a [Semblance]. A [Semblance] how Ruby is describing them is the manifestation of one's innate and personal power as an ability unique to each individual, with the effects varying greatly from user to user. With the sheer number of people unlocking their Semblances, it can lead to unrelated people gaining similar abilities.

Then next comes the steps to awaken semblances as Ruby explained furthermore than what I know from her show. But it comes down in a simpler way like this.

Semblances are unlocked during strong physical or emotional events. For example, Ruby unlocked her Semblance while training. Auras and Semblances can also be unlocked due to severe emotional stress or turmoil.

Although what Ruby explained was more detailed, I still listened to what she said as I then asked Ruby a question out of curiosity's sake.

EsdeathBitch: Ok those sound pretty cool but how does learning about this helps us exactly?

LittleRed: Although it's frowned upon there are ways to awaken your [Aura] if I allow my aura to unlock your it should be able to activate it at will. That way we have a fair chance of saving those people in those islands from pirates.

SwordBae: I see… but why is it exactly frowned upon exactly doing it this fashion instead of training for one to unlock?

LittleRed: Although having [Aura] isn't exactly uncommon. The reason why is because we're taught to never open people's auras because the use for it is usually reserved in Huntsman or Huntresses families. Or the possibility of apprentice under the huntsman in training mine was unlocked by my family. Otherwise, those kinds of people that release auras to anyone are called aura scalpers which attract a lot of dumb people leading to large causes of deaths in the Kingdoms.

Princess: Interesting? So, what about the unlocking process is used under the pressure of emergency what happens then?

LittleRed: Unless the reason is justifiable to heal someone in danger or something equally as dangerous it's for emergencies only to heal people. But in this case, though I would say activating your [Aura] under these circumstances plus helping people out is necessary for a Huntresses in training like me. Though I prefer if I didn't want to awaken your guy's auras but I'm not in a situation to let my friend Saeko get killed.

Ok, it looks like my reasoning isn't as bad as I first thought.

Although it looks like asking for it was out of the question from the beginning.

Well at least I dodged a bullet or else I doubt she will let me have my [Aura] awaken but that was when I heard her respond to Hinata next.

Princess: I see… but I would like it that you don't unlock mine, Ruby. That would lead to… complication with my people…

I nodded in agreement with Hinata. If the Ninjas were suddenly to see Hinata develop new abilities, it could lead to very big trouble. Enough trouble to bring Danzo's attention and that is something Hinata is equipped to handle.

Yeah, Hinata not having [Aura] might be for the best it's very bad there in her home village. Like bloody hell, they have a knack for causing trouble it's almost impressive even. Like I said almost thought.

Then we return to our issue of what to do next as of course, Ruby responded by using necessary force or talking. Oh, Ruby… I can't wait for you to mature in the later volumes to see that way of thinking is working in anime to see it fail in others in reality.

Then again though her optimism is her greatest trait along with her cuteness.

After that, we had a whole other debate on how to go about the Arlong Pirates as we have little to no info on them in real life. Although they are in the weakest parts of the Blues, they used to be in the Grand Line so I can expect them to be tuff just not strong.

With the key detail being we lack any data on them we can't formulate a plan of action to do anything, yet I began to break this debate by playing smart.

EsdeathBitch: We have no plan with the lack of info on the situation. So, before we make a plan how about we investigate the area to understand more of the situation before we make an actual plan do we all agree on what we need info on.

LittleRed: I suppose we can't act unless we need a plan.

SwordBae: I agree plus I doubt we can just suddenly fight unless Ruby unlocks our [Aura]. Plus, I have a feeling leaving Hinata to spy would do better.

Princess: I agree. This is something more than I can do plus some with my shinobi training would help out greatly without any harm to anyone while I get the information.

EsdeathBitch: Alright we have something. How about we pack some things before leaving who knows how long it will take us to liberate the islands. I would recommend bringing some things for a long fight as well as some clothes and food in the process best to be prepared for any situations.

Everyone agreed to the idea looks like the first mission might be something good. At least at first, it seems like that but first thought I should wait till Hinata revealed more information on the current situation.

The best we do at the beginning is make sure we are in no one's view at least till we find a way. But that Marine Base that was taking bribes should have some valuables inside for the taking. I should take a look to see just in case don't know what you find.

For now, I should begin preparing some stuff the more useful my weapon is the better.