Killer Strike Back

"There is something I realized after all these years. It doesn't matter what kind of justice you believe in. It's all useless if you don't have the power…"

"…because whoever has power, decides what justice is" Saga declared, the look in his face changed after he spoke those words. Determination was evident in his expressions, he reached for the dagger hanging from his belt that had Zoro's name etched in it and raised it with a wide smile on his face "This time I don't want to go the easy way. I want to become stronger, stronger than every swordsman…I want to become the world's greatest swordsman, only then will I have enough power to truly become the Sword of Justice!"

"I like that way of thinking, if you're aiming to just be another average guy then the sea is not the place you belong to. If you don't have the guts to risk your life in order to achieve your dreams, you won't make it far nor will you be able to achieve great things and leave a great legacy behind you" Kid responded to Saga's statement. He clenched his fist before he grinned in excitement, thinking of all the great things he wants to achieve and goals he wants to reach.

Kai was also impressed by Saga's ambition and although he wasn't planning to do that initially, but he proceeded to give him an offer "I know that you are a marine, but if you're truly serious about getting that strong then I want to make an offer for you to join my crew"

Kid nodded in agreement, it was one of those moments where he perfectly supports his brother's decision "I agree, and although you're pretty weak right now. The life of a pirate is sure gonna toughen you up in no time"

Saga was stunned when he heard that, he never imagined in his life that he would get an offer to join a pirate crew. Moreover, he just said his dream is to become the Sword of Justice, how can he become that kind of person under a pirate crew who are supposedly the ones spreading injustice thorough the world.

The crew was also taken aback by the sudden invitation.

"You're inviting a marine to the crew?! Are you out of your mind?!" Krieg exclaimed, he is someone who harbors deep hatred and disdain for marines and pirate hunters.

"Watch your mouth moron! You're speaking to the captains!" Bonney responded with a growl. Krieg's eyes twitched from anger and just as he was about to start a fight, he clicked his tongue and turned his head the other side without further protest.

"Sheesh! These two never get along" Heat was amused, he always likes to witness their quarrels.

"You're right" Wire agreed.

"Let's see what the guy has to say about the captain's offer" Gin said.

Saga froze in his place for a moment trying to process Kai's words, even Maya who was sitting near him looked shocked about that offer.

"You want me to become a pirate?! I kill your kind for a living, and what makes you think that I'm interested in leaving the marines?!...besides, I told you that I want to become the Sword of Justice. How can I do that while standing with the wrong side?" Saga questioned, genuinely expecting an answer.

"Don't tell me you believe in the crap that the marines promote? The world is not black and white, it's not as simple as the marines being the good guys and pirates being the bad guys…while it's true that the marines are the only thing that's keeping order in the world, but that does not mean that everything they do is for the sake of justice or helping people…"

"…I'm sure you are well aware of the Absolute Justice doctrine that the marines adapt. I'm well aware that being a marine will give you resource and help you train, but at a certain level just training alone won't help you develop, you would need to fight strong opponents and risking everything in a life and death situations in order to improve your skills. That's why the life of pirates that is full of dangers at every corner is far better in my opinion…"

"…Also, just because you become a pirate doesn't mean you have to start killing innocent people and raiding ships and causing terror…being a pirate is not about doing what most pirates do…"

"…Being a pirate is doing what you want to do" Kai said with a serious face "You can become the Sword of Justice if you desire, as long as you don't betray me or get in my way, you're free to keep you values and morals…Also, your friend Zoro also became pirate"

"Zoro?!"

"He's part of the Straw Hat Pirates, being a pirate might not be as bad as you think. Well at the end, the choice is yours"

"I see…" Saga looked somewhat convinced by Kai's words, he might just need some time to think about it. Other than that the other thing that he is worried about is leaving his wife Maya behind.

"We're going to stay here for a few days until the Log Pose reset, take your time and think about it" Kai said as he turned around and walked away.

"Come and find us at the port if you change your mind" Kid added before he followed his brother.

…

Meanwhile…At Asuka Town's Port,

An intense fight was taking a place at this location, Killer versus Marine Rear Admiral Akehende. The latter proved to be a very strong opponent even for someone like Killer, who has been surprisingly pushed back by Akehende while suffering numerous injuries.

Akehende's speed was the biggest advantage he had, using the technique Soru he could close great distances in the blink of an eye. His swordsmanship skills and mastery of the marine Rokushiki martial arts were excellent, and his physical strength was inhuman.

It was the strength that you would expect from a Rear Admiral.

Killer was struggling to deal any serious damage.

"*Gulp*-Gulp*…It looks like the brat is in trouble" Kureha said while taking a sip from the bottle of alcohol on her hand. She was still watching the fight from the Victoria Punk.

ZWOOOOSH!! Killer rushed towards his opponent and tried to slice him vertically through his face and torso while performing a somersault.

"Jin Sonic!!"

"Tekkai!!" Akehende responded by hardening his muscles to the level of iron, protecting himself from any damage he would receive from Killer's blades.

"Tsk, That move again!...Huff…Huff…" Killer remarked "It seems that I don't have enough power to surpass his defense...he's like an iron stature"

"I have to end this quickly since I have to deal with your captains after I'm finished with you" Akehende clenched his sword with two hands before he swung it forth from a distance with enough force that he unleashed a flying sword slash towards Killer.

"Two-Handed Sword Style…Heaven Cleaving Slash!!"

"That's enough of a reason for me to stop you here! I can't make the K's disappointed!"

Clang! Killer crossed his arms in front of him, he was pushed a few feet back but managed to stop the slash before he redirected it away.

Inhale...Exhale. Killer closed his eyes and focused on channeling his power into his blades, he hardened his muscles as hard as he could before he dashed at Akehende, once he closed the distance, he wildly spun around himself with his weapons strong enough and with enough speed to create a small tornado of small and sharp wind blades.

"Dicing Winds!!"

"…?!!" Akehende was taken by surprise and the tornado spun towards his direction at a high speed and the wind blades managed to inflict some cuts on his body before he used Tekkai to protect himself until the tornado was dispersed.

However, that was just a distraction and the moment Akehende let his guard down after Killer's attack, the latter seized the chance to attack him. Before Akehende could notice Killer disappeared from his sight.

"Where did he go?!...ZWOOOSH!!" Just as he asked himself that question, he heard the familiar sound of Killer's spinning blades from behind him "Don't tell me?!--"

SPLASH!! Without giving him the time to react, Killer landed behind the Rear Admiral and struck his back with his Punishers, inflicting a serious injury on him.

"AAGHHH!!--YOU BASTARD!!" Akehende screamed in pain as he received that attack. He quickly turned back while swinging his sword at Killer, prompting the latter to jump back, creating some distance between them.

"Faffaffaffa!!...You should have a little taste of my blade as well" Killer laughed maniacally while wearing a wicked grin behind his mask. His body was covered in blood, bruises and cuts but he was standing thoroughly in his place without showing the slightest signs of pain, fear or worry. On the opposite, his blood was boiling from excitement and with a menacing voice he said "Don't think you've already owned this battle…We're just getting started"

"Huff…Huff…You sneaky brat…It seems that I've really underestimated your resolve, you aren't gonna give up are you?"

Killer jabbed his index finger at Akehende in response "Not even in your fucking dreams"

"Hahaha, very well then. I never expected myself to use this on a mere crewmember of some rookie pirates, but you left me no choice…Because I'm really pissed right now" Akehende said while clenching his teeth, his veins bulged while he groaned in pain before something strange happened.

"Hmm?" Killer's eyes widened in surprise as the man who was standing before him started transforming into something else, something entirely different than a human "A Devil Fruit?!!"

Akehende's skin was replace by a distinct glossy black fur, his eyes now resemble cat eyes with yellow pupils and his once smooth fingers are now sharp claws. He transformed into a panther, a black panther.

[Cat-Cat Fruit, Model: Black Panther]