Chapter 224: Vivi`s Hidden Power
Kaya had transformed into her full beast form and picked up Nojiko and Vivi. They were flying towards Mu Island again. Saphir was in the ocean swimming towards the island.
"You are an excellent swimmer," Vivi shouted. Saphir jumped from the ocean.
"Well I am a fishfolk," Saphir said as she went back into the ocean.
"Does make me a little envious," Kaya remarked.
"But it's worth paying the price for these gifts," Nojiko said.
"It's from Ben as well," Vivi added.
They got to the land and met up. "The village is down this road," Saphir said. They all nodded and headed down the road. The road was a dirt road which went through the forest. There were tall trees on either side of the road. They could hear birds chirping in the background.
"It's a nice day for a walk," Kaya commented.
"It certainly is," Vivi added.
"I prefer the water but it's nice walking around like this," Saphir said.
"Typical fish," Nojiko joked. They all laughed.
They walked down the road and saw the village.
The village was a charming area. The focal point of activity was the central, lined with an array of shops. This included local grocery store, offering an assortment of fresh produce and essential goods. There was a general store which had tools and supplies. Then next to it was a bar which the villagers gathered around to dine and drink. The houses were modest in size. They were crafted from sturdy stone materials. The stone facades of the houses bore the marks of weathering, each crack and crevice telling a silent tale of the passage of time. The houses were simple and had a bed, table and the necessities. The villagers lived a modest lifestyle.
"This is a nice village," Vivi said.
"It reminds me of my island," Kaya added.
"This village was in control of the Simon Pirates," Saphir said and added, "In fact most of the villages around the base were under his control to supply them with food and people."
Nojiko remarked, "So he's no different from Arlong."
Kaya, placing a reassuring hand on Nojiko's shoulder, intervened gently, "Nojiko."
"Not all pirates are evil; some can be good," Vivi added.
"You have a point," Nojiko said as she smiled.
Stepping into the heart of the village, their footsteps resonated on the main road. They saw the faces of the residents. It was drained of colour and vitality. They cast anxious glances downward, as if seeking solace from the very ground beneath them.
"Something is amiss here," Saphir voiced her concern.
Nojiko, ever vigilant, responded, "Let's maintain our guard."
"I hope Cherry and Ivy are safe," Vivi said.
They kept walking until they saw a large crowd of people gathered around. "Leave us alone," a woman shouted.
"You will regret hurting us,"a small child shouted. Then they heard a scream.
Vivi, Saphir, Nojiko and Kaya all ran towards the crowd. They got through the crowd and saw a dozen men surrounding two red-haired girls. They were on the floor. "Ivy, Cherry," Vivi shouted.
Ivy was protecting Cherry. She wrapped her arms around her. They looked like they had been kicked. Ivy was panting. Cherry was in tears. They saw another group of men tied up together. The men had busted lips and their eyes were swollen. They had marks over their body.
"You both were prisoners of Captain Simon. I first will have one with the older one, you little one can watch," the man joked. He wore a rugged tricorn hat and had a tangle of salt-streaked hair. He had an eye patch on one of his eyes. He had a long beard and crooked nose. He wore a black shirt and black pants. He had a belt on his waist. He had a cutlass at his side.
"And you all will be executed for being traitors," the man added. The others in his group cheered.
Vivi went to get her Gero Gero gun however she remembered she left it on the ship. She looked at the injustice taking place in front of her. She was not going to let it go. She ran past the crowd and got between the man and the two red haired girls. She put her arms wide. "Leave them alone," Vivi said.
"Who are you?" the man joked, as she looked down on this light blue haired woman.
"Princess," Cherry said with a smile on her face.
"Princess, huh, so you could fetch a good ransom," the man said.
"Chief, she is also cute," another pirate said.
"That she is," the man confirmed.
"Leave them alone and go away," Vivi said again.
The man laughed. "And what are you going to do?" the man asked. He had an evil grin.
"We will kill you," Kaya sternly said. She appeared behind Vivi in her beast form.
She had a long slender tail with a delicate tip. Her skin was a pale alabaster, and her hands had sharp claws. She had a pair of large, feathered wings and a single horn protruded from her forehead. Her eyes were yellow.
"What are you?" the man said. He looked scared.
"Simon will like a devil fruit user so you are coming with me," the man added.
"Get them," the man ordered. He turned around to see clouds everywhere with his man on the floor all looked toasted. Their skin was burned.
"What happened there?" the man panicked.
"Vivi, you need to have a plan sometimes," Nojiko said.
"Thank you Nojiko," Vivi responded.
"You," the man said as he raised his sword and ran towards Nojiko. Saphir jumped from the crowd and kicked the man who stumbled back.
"I forgot my spear," Saphir said.
"Why you?" the man said in anger.
Kaya flew past Vivi and punched the man with her strength. The man felt a sharp pain as his teeth were knocked out and he fell to the ground. He dropped his sword. His mouth was bleeding.
"Nice punch Kaya," Nojiko complimented.
"Thank you," Kaya replied.
Vivi walked towards the man on the ground. "You have hurt my friends, one of them a child, you have tried to force yourself on someone," Vivi said. She raised her leg and gave him one swift kick in the crotch. There was a cracking sound.
"Now leave from this island now," Vivi shouted.
The man looked in fear. It looked like he had seen a demon. He picked his men up and threw them in a cart. He picked the cart up and sprinted in pain.
"Wow, that was so cool," Cherry chirped.
"Thank you again," Ivy said.
Vivi smiled. "I am happy to help out," Vivi said.
Nojiko, Kaya and Saphir looked at each other and smiled. "She can be scary," Saphir remarked.
"For her friends, yes," Nojiko added.
A villager approached Vivi and the girls. "Thank you for saving us. Those two girls said Simon had been defeated but those Warlords did not believe it," the villager said.
"Simon has been defeated by our Captain," Nojiko stated.
"Yes he is gone," Saphir added.
The crowd cheered. "Thank you this means everything for us," the villager said in tears.
Vivi approached the two girls on the ground. They were getting up. "Are you both okay?" Vivi asked.
"We are fine princess," Cherry responded.
"Thank you for asking,"Ivy responded as well.
"That is good to hear," Vivi said. Cherry`s stomach rumbled. She looked embarrassed.
"Let's go from here and get something to eat," Vivi said. They both nodded.
"Are you three coming as well?" Vivi asked.
"You can go ahead, we will catch-up," Nojiko said.
"Okay," Vivi said. They left Nojiko, Kaya and Saphir behind and headed to the bar.
"That was a good call, let her have some fun without us for a bit," Kaya said. Saphir and Nojiko nodded.
Vivi, Ivy and Cherry walked down the road, they turned in the alley.
"I want to give you something," Vivi said. She looked around to ensure there was no one around. She took a pouch out. "Here you go," Vivi said.
Ivy took it and took a sneak peak. She saw a gold light coming from it. She knew it was gold coins. "This will help you start you new lives," Vivi said.
"Thank you princess but we cannot accept this," Ivy said. Cherry mouth was wide open.
"If you have any respect for me, you will accept it," Vivi said. Ivy had tears in her eyes.
"Thank you," Ivy said. Cherry also said the same thing.
"If there is anything we can do princess, we will," Ivy stated.
"Yes we will princess," Cherry said.
Suddenly Vivi's eyes turned red. "There is one thing, if you trust me," Vivi said, her voice was a bit deeper. There were black flames on her body.
"Anything my princess," Ivy and Cherry said together on their knees.
"Dark Necromantic Grasp," Vivi said. Black flames engulfed Ivy and Cherry. However, the flames didn't hurt them. Ivy and Cherry's eyes were closed. They did not feel anything. The flames went all over their body and then disappeared. Vivi smiled. She went back to normal.
"Let's go now," Vivi said as she grabbed Ivy and Cherry from the ground by their hands and started running to the bar. Vivi wondered why they were on the ground leaning like that. It was embarrassing already.
Ivy and Cherry smiled as they were led by the princess. The three of them ate in the bar. They made small talk between them and enjoyed themself. It was near the end of the day. Vivi looked up in the sky and saw it was getting dark.
"I need to go now," Vivi said.
Cherry looked a little sad. "Can we come with you?" Cherry asked.
"I wish but it is a dangerous journey. I would want you to be safe," Vivi replied.
Cherry nodded. "Take care both, we will see each other soon," Vivi added. Ivy nodded.
"Thank you," Ivy said. Vivi smiled and ran off. She met Kaya, Nojiko and Saphir near a tree where they were resting.
"It looks like you had fun," Nojiko said.
"I did," Vivi replied.
"Let's head back now," Kaya said.
"Someone is wanting to see Ben," Nojiko teased.
"No I am not," Kaya refuted unconvincingly.
"I am," Saphir said. They all giggled and headed back to the Miss Love Duck.