9 Chapter 9

[A/N: I tried improving my skill at writing fight scenes with this chapter, so let me know how I did!]

Ronin and Devon stood across from each other, Ronin practically bouncing from excitement while Devon just stood there casually smoking a cigarette. "Okay, we go on the count of 3 and stop once the other can't go on any further. It's a friendly spar, but we're hear to test our skills for life or death battles, not play around, you understand?" Devon asked as he gazed lazily at Ronin.

"Yeah, yeah, I hear you. Now, let's start the fight!"Ronin said passionately. He didn't know when it happened, but he was quickly becoming a battle maniac, and absolutely could not wait to fight someone more on his level.

Hearing his response, Devon let out a heavy sigh as well as another puff of smoke. "Why do I have a feeling you're going to cause me a lot of headaches in the future?" Devon asked as he took a long drag from his cigarette, leaned forward, and kicked off the ground with tremendous strength, appearing before Ronin in a split second. It is well know that Fishman naturally have 10x the strength of men, but that means double for a Fishman that has trained to be a warrior.

So, when in that split second that Devon launched himself, and attacked Ronin with a giant scythe that he pulled from his cloak, Ronin was able to see just how strong Devon was, and he was a monster! But, so was Ronin, who had the blood of the indomitable Raikage flowing through his veins. Like thunder striking the earth, a powerful shockwave erupted from the site of their clash, as Ronin was just barely able to block the attack with his bare hands, wrapped in a layer of chakra.

Devon was genuinely surprised, as no human, besides Genko who barely counted as a normal human, could actually match his Fishman strength. But, he didn't get long to be surprised, as his instincts were screaming at him to dodge, which he did, barely dodging Ronin's Hell Stab, which was four of his fingers wrapped in lightning chakra, making his hands able to pierces even a small mountain. The Hell Stab missed Devon, and punctured the ground where he stood, causing a small bead of sweat to grow on Devon's forehead.

"We are just sparring, right?" asked in a wary tone once he got a safe distance away, only to look up and see Ronin shrouded in his lightning armor cloak, looking both powerful and majestic. "Okay, now that's cool as fuck. But do you think you can time it down a little? I want to be alive for when I win my bet!" Devon said as he launched himself again at Ronin, not noticing the slight smirk that appeared on his face.

Standing at a somewhat safe distance, a large crowd has gathered to watch the fight, some making making bets on who would win, while even more could barely follow what was happening in the fight! Meli was one of those people, as she stood next to Genko who was calmly drinking tea, meanwhile she can only catch glimpses of the two's fast movements. She looked over at Genko with pleading eyes. "Grandpa Gen, please stop them! This has to be way beyond the realms of a simple spar at this point. What if something happens to Ronin?!" Meli asked, as tears crested the corners of her eyes.

Still calmly drinking tea, Genko only let out a heavy sigh as a response to Meli's pleading. "Listen Young Meli, I know that you have strong feelings for that boy, but don't you worry about him. That boy is far tougher than he has any right to be. Even though I helped back by a large degree, the fact that he was still somewhat able to stand against me, is just a testament to Ronin's raw ability. I can tell he has trained himself very well, but he is still raw, untested, and unrefined. Even he knows it, which is probably why he chose to travel here to train despite him already being so powerful, at least by any of the Blues standards."

"Him and Devon are very much the same in this sense. Both have a drive to be something great and make a name for themselves, but like most, fall into a rut in their self-training. I am an old man and far too strong to be any help to them at the moment, as they can only go so far with my Nurturing Fist! No, what those boys need is a rival, an obtainable goal, and with this spar, they will have it. So just sit back Young Meli, your husband will be fine. Plus, the battle is already over." Genko said mysteriously.

Surprised by what Genko meant, Meli didn't realize when she had turned away from the fight to face him, but when she looked back, she was completely stunned. Ronin and Devon stood apart from each other, both having their wounds from the fight, but one of them was doing far worse. While Ronin stood there imposingly with his arms crossed over his chest, he bleed from a few small cuts from him being careless, and his clothes were now ruined, but that was it. Despite those few superficial wounds that would heal in a few days time, he was completely fine.

Devon on the other hand, was not so lucky. Not only was his clothes ruined, he was also filled with tiny holes all over his body from Ronin's Hell Stab, and the where there wasn't a puncture wound, were welts from Ronin's overbearing punches and kicks. Devon was completely worn out and panting heavily trying to catch his breath. "You're a damn monster, just like that damn old man. But the fight isn't over yet. C'mon, let's end this!" Devon said, as he steadied himself on his two feet. Once he was somewhat stable, he rushed towards Ronin.

Ronin knew the fight was already done, he was sure even Devon knew it. Thanks to his Raikage bloodline, not only was his strength, stamina, and his reflexes now at a crazy level, but so was the toughness of his body. But despite all of those advantages, Devon still gave him one hell of a fight, which made him respect the man even more. It was in that respect, that no matter what, he wouldn't hold back, as that would only further shame Devon in his loss. Having made up his mind, Ronin rushed forward as well, closing in quickly on Devon.

As the two met in the middle, Ronin went for a Lightning Straight, which was, with his Lightning Cloak on, he runs straight with all of his enhanced speed to deliver a devastating punch. But, just as the punch was about to land, Devon used the blade of the scythe to skillfully parry the punch, and slash at Ronin's joints, which proved to be one of his few weak points.

Ignoring the pain in his wrist and elbow joint, Ronin threw his uninjured left hand forward for a devastating Hell Stab, only for Devon to barely block it with the bone white, gnarled staff of his scythe, but Devon was sent flying backwards as a result from the force of the attack. Flipping in the air, Devon is somewhat able to stabilize himself before he landed on the ground, deep grooves forming where his feet meet the earth. Unfortunately, the second he landed, Ronin was already on top of him, ready to deliver another attack.

While in the air, Ronin threw out multiple shurikens attached to chakra threads around Devon, almost creating a cage of sorts. Once the the last shuriken landed, Ronin hardened the chakra threads and pulled him down with all of his strength. Like a human slingshot, Ronin shot towards Devon as his feet were encased in thick stone. When the attack connected, an explosion went off as a thick cloud of dirt blanketed the whole area. Everyone waited with baited breath waiting for the dust to settle, and once it did, they all collectively gasped.

In the middle of the clearing dust cloud, was a giant crater that was so deep, people had to cautious peer over the edge to see the bottom of it. In the center of the crater were two forms, one was Devon, laying down on his back with no more strength to move, and the other was Ronin, standing triumphantly over Devon, with his two feet buried on either side of his head.

Using the last of his strength, Devon reached down and retrieved a damaged pack of cigarettes, before pulling one in his mouth and lighting it, taking a long, tired drag before he exhaled. "I guess you win, you damn monster, but can you get you nuts out of my face now? I'd like to retain the little dignity I have left." Devon said with a slight smirk.

Hearing this, Ronin let out a hearty laugh. "Rhahaha, don't worry Devon, you gave me the toughest battle I've ever had, besides that old man of course." Ronin said before he picked Devon up in a princess carry, and leapt to the top of the crater before setting him down.

"And there goes the last of my dignity. Carried from my ass whopping like a princess." Devon said with a heavy sigh, earning a few chuckles from the crowd.

"Rhahaha, don't worry Von, as my reward for the bet, I name you as the Vice Captain of my crew! You'll have plenty of chances to feel like you have your dignity when we clear the seas of the evil pirates!" Ronin said as he crossed his arms over his chest.

When Devon heard this, he was completely shocked, but then grew excited. Due to his past, Devon has a deep hate for pirates, and was on Karate Island to get strong enough to join the Marines, but faced the sad reality of meeting a racist recruiter at the nearest island and was turned away. Disheartened from the Marines, the prospect of being a Pirate Hunter was exciting to him as he'd get to rid the world of pirates and still not have to follow orders like a cog in a wheel, at least not orders from the nobles.

"Hmm, Vice-Captain Devon Lynch, I kind of like the sound of that. Okay, a deal is a deal, I'm in." Devon said as he held his hand out, only for Ronin to grabbed it and help him to his feet.

Once Devon was steady in his feet, the crowd surrounding them erupted in a great cheer, completely unaware of the historic moment happening Infront of them, that will completely change the world forever.

Before Devon walked off to get healed from his numerous injuries, he looked back at Ronin to ask a question. "By the way, what is the name of our crew anyway?" Devon asked.

When Ronin heard this, he smiled under his mask. Ronin has thought about this a lot and has the perfect name for his crew that will follow them no matter what path they decide to choose. "Shinigami" Ronin said, his dark and altered voice sending chills down the spine of all who heard him. Reapers of death, guiding the unfortunate souls that cross their path. Already, Shinigami was sending fear into the hearts of those who heard their name. Soon the all of the seas will feel the same.