[Episode] Amazon Therapy

Good soldiers followed orders, regardless of personal reservations. Yumiko’s eyes flashed open immediately. ...Only to get a full view of a bust bigger than her head. “Gah...!” She recoiled back with an awkward squeak, managing to get a far too close look of the stranger before her.

A tall and broad woman towered over the visitor. Frizzy, brown hair was kept back by a bandanna. Tiny, black eyes peered at the offender like a pair of particularly angry coals. A lifetime of hoisting heavy cargo had sculpted her muscular frame.

The burly lady clearly followed the latest local fashion trends. Her bikini had a beautiful floral pattern, on what little fabric it actually possessed. In addition, a plump boa was lazily wrapped around her neck, like a living scarf. It shared very little of its owner's fury, rather seeming content just to laze in the sunshine.

In the culture of Kuja, this woman was a veritable beauty.

Compared to the towering stranger, the marine looked like a malnourished scarecrow. Mere sticks and straws wrapped in the cheapest rags. A gorilla...? The aforementioned marine meanwhile wondered, in a moment of accidental rudeness. Thankfully, she was too stunned to actually voice her thoughts.

The stranger removed her work gloves so she could crack her knuckles properly. “Since you are clearly a foreigner, I’ll give you ten seconds to fix your attitude...” She leaned even closer, looming over the pipsqueak. “...’fore I fix it for you.” Crack and crack. A wise person would choose their words very carefully now...

“I refuse.”

Sadly, Yumiko had suppressed her sense of danger years ago. “If mine words have offended thee, I apologise. However, I have told nothing but the truth.” Her words were met with baffled silence. Angry murmurs spread among the crowd like ripples in a pond.

Suddenly, the burly Kuja took a swing at the mouthy marine. The strike could’ve put a sledgehammer to shame, sending the scrawny woman tumbling back. As her limp body kissed the pavement, the crowd cheered wildly.

With a disappointed scoff, the burly woman relaxed her stance and flexed her fingers. “Strength is beauty. And I’m the most beautiful cabbage seller on Amazon Lily.” Agreeing cheers erupted from the crowd. “Yeahhh~! Get her, Petunia~!” They chanted in unison.

However, the voices died down when the small visitor slowly rose back to her feet. A trickle of blood ran down from the corner of her mouth. She didn’t bother to wipe it. With calm, deliberate steps, she approached the stranger again.

“Oh? Gonna fight back?”

The question was shot down immediately. “I shall not.” True enough, she stopped in front of the tall Kuja again, staring unflinchingly into those tiny, black eyes. It was strange enough to pause the whole argument.

“What.”

Yumiko held her head high. “A true samurai only fights for worthy causes.” She glanced at the sheathed sword by her side. Her grip tightened. “Once I have raised mine blade for a foolish grudge... ‘Tis one time too many. Never again.” She was here to learn, not to get dragged into meaningless squabbles.

Words: 515
Total: 3993

-----@^@-----

Moving on pure reflex, the Petty Officer clicked her heels together and saluted when she heard her name. “Yes, ma’am?” However, as the actual words sank in, her frigid expression grew ever colder. “...As is thy will, Lieutenant.” She responded with all the warmth of a winter storm.

Good soldiers followed orders, no matter what.

Reluctantly Yumiko turned to face her baffled opponent. “Thou remind me of the despicable pirates who lord their strength over others... Spreading their wicked ideals wherever they go...” Her icy words drifted in the breeze. “Since vanity and violence are thy language, I shall put this in a way thou best understand.” Her heartbeat quickened. Strength rushed through her veins.

“Have at thee!”

A chill wind blew across the market square...

Yumiko’s figure blurred and vanished. A heartbeat later, she reappeared behind the towering foe. Her unnatural movement was accompanied by an equally odd sound, a painfully loud smack. With it, a long, flat bruise appeared on the enemy’s bare midriff. The invisible impact knocked the wind out of her, leaving her gasping and reeling.

The samurai focused a cold glare on the woman she was forced to call her superior. “Are thou satisfied now, Lieutenant?” She had followed the order and struck down a civilian. Merely thinking it made her feel filthy.

However, another voice shattered Yumiko’s composure. “...Heh, so you do know how to hit back.” A tall and all too familiar shadow loomed over her. She twisted around, instinctively lifting her still sheathed blade. Soundless questions colored her pale face.

Petunia rubbed the bruise on her gut. “And it actually hurt.” Her painted lips twisted into a cocky smirk. “Not bad, pipsqueak. Now I can get serious.” All around her, the crowd cheered and chanted her name. Now they had a real fight to watch.

The cabbage seller grabbed the snake snoozing on her shoulders. “Wake up, Hammock!” Right on command, the boa sprung awake with a big grin. “Shaa~!” She whipped it at the foe and the snake snapped onto the loose clothing.

“Gotcha!”

With a grunt more for show than actual effort, the powerful Kuja yanked the foe off of her feet. She spun around and round to gather momentum. “Haaaah!” And the crowd went wild for it.

Like a ball at the end of a chain, the samurai got bashed against the surroundings. Walls, stalls, mysteriously tough bystanders... Each impact rattled her skull. Finally she was brought down with enough force to crack stone. A crimson cough painted the pavement.

With the rude foreigner down, the cheering crowd gathered closer to celebrate their cabbage-selling champion. “Yaaaaay~! Go Petunia~! That was so beautiful~!” Petunia basked in the praise, posing and flexing for her adoring fans. Of course, Hammock received plenty of loving pats as well.

Words: 465
Total: 4458

-----@^@-----

Pain pounded inside the injured samurai’s head, a reality check through the skull. It was the only thing keeping her awake. Crimson splatters stained her lips. Her ribs screamed with every slow and shallow breath. Once again, she had severely underestimated her foe.

Once again... She paid a heavy price.

Yumiko’s barely open eyes wandered onto Melanie. There was no light of understanding in her hazy gaze. At the edges of her vision, the sneering crowd circled closer. Their looming silhouettes wore vicious grins. Mocking whispers and laughter scratched at her hearing.

Each passing second felt like a small eternity. The samurai quietly contemplated the cruel, harsh words swimming inside her head. How had it come to this? She had tried so hard to follow the traditions of her home... Yet here she was, beaten down and treated like trash for sharing her honest beliefs. For answering a question. Why? What had she done wrong?

One figure stomped closer with the swagger of a winner. “Still conscious, huh?” She yanked the limp, lifeless swordswoman up by her ruined kimono. A squashed flask fell from the folds and clattered against the ground. “Got anything to say, before I knock your lights out?” She drew her huge fist back, fingers coiling with anticipation. “If you’re going to beg for forgiveness, now’s your last chance.” Beating the snot out of mouthy punks was oddly therapeutic.

Yumiko’s lips parted. A weak mutter crawled out. “I... recognize thy strength...” It was met with puzzled stares from both the opponent and the audience. Her strained voice continued creeping across the air. “Thou are not a foe I can best whilst holding back like this...” She hadn’t even drawn her blade after all.

Unfortunately, honesty was not always the best policy. The puzzlement flared into indignation again. Petunia’s eyes twitched and fist trembled. “Tch, you REALLY don’t know when to shut up, do you?!” In the background, the angry mob grumbled in agreement. The stupid foreigner was looking down on Petunia, on all Kuja.

However, the samurai didn’t hear any of it. She was lost inside her own head. Her conscience was torn in two. On one hand, there was no honor in spilling blood over a mere disagreement... Senseless bloodshed served no purpose. Yet on the other hand, to these strange women... These warriors... This was a matter of honor. Thus they had the right to defend their honor in combat.

Still, there was no philosophical dilemma that couldn’t be shattered by a punch in the face. It rattled the Marine’s thoughts until they were an unrecognizable mess on the floor of her mind. Her body soon followed the suit, bashed against the pavement again. The angry mob surrounded her. Hits showered her from every direction, as they started taking out their frustration on her. Each strike threatened to snuff out the lights.

Until something inevitably... broke.

It was a quiet, little sound... Imaginary most likely. Like a tiny mirror shattering in a million pieces. With it, the pain was promptly buried beneath a wave of ice. In an instant, Yumiko’s hazy gaze focused. Sharpened.

Suddenly, a heavy gust of wind exploded from the center of the crowd. It pushed people back, sending the shorter and lighter ones stumbling. “So be it...” Slowly, the samurai dragged herself up, reminiscent of a marionette with broken strings. Her icy tone grew darker.

“I shall show thee a monster.”

Words: 570
Total: 5028

-----@^@-----

Yumiko slouched, nearly falling over. Her ruined kimono fell away, revealing the pale, bruised skin beneath beneath. Numerous bandages and bindings crisscrossed across her torso. Compared to the Kuja around her, she had nothing to show off, nothing but the red stains of her failures.

Dark fur sprouted all over the broken woman’s body. It rapidly spread across her twisting features. Her face lengthened into a snout and teeth sharpened into beastly fangs. In similar fashion, her entire frame grew larger and longer. The nails on her hands and feet stretched into blades. Finally, a thin tail snaked from between the folds of her skirt.

While the transformation took hold, the wind started whispering... Weeping... Howling! Suddenly, a violent storm erupted around her. Dust danced in a flaring circle around her feet. It painted the raging whirlwind with brownish streaks.

As the cyclone grew, it dragged stones and debris into it. The colorful marquees of the market stalls bulged and billowed in the raging winds. With a strained groan of splintering wood, the closest stalls collapsed one after another. Fruits, vegetables, clothes and jewels alike were scattered into the air.

In the eye of the storm now stood a mythical beast, a monstrous weasel with claws like scythes and a tail like a sword. Only a handful of people in her crew had actually seen the full transformation. Fewer still knew its true name and power.

Faced with sudden havoc caused by a strange beast, even mighty Petunia faltered. Her tiny dot eyes trembled with disbelief. A stammered word died on her lips. “M-m-m-m...” Grasping her frizzy hair, she recoiled with a guttural scream of horror. “My cabbages!!!” Truly a scene no farmer wanted to witness.

Despite the harsh winds, the powerful woman stood tall and proud. Debris bounced off of her muscular frame, as if clashing against an invisible armor. In fact, the crowd around her demonstrated similar sturdiness. Even the lightest warriors were more interested in staying on their feet than seeking shelter.

Petunia cracked her neck from side to side and stomped her foot down. “That does it!” Her stance brought a wrestler to mind. “We have a strict ‘you break it, you buy it’ policy!” Brandishing her snake, she aimed an accusing point at the beast. “And you just made a very expensive mistake!” Her declaration was met with agreeing cheers. And an agreeing hiss from her helper.

Only the wind wailed in response...

Nevertheless, the beautiful cabbage seller intended to fulfill her threat. “Hammock! Ammo!” Right on command, the boa snapped into action “Sha~!” Glancing around, it wrapped around a nearby barrel. She spun it around like a huge slingshot, before launching the bulky projectile at the beast.

However... Just before the barrel could reach its target, countless cuts suddenly tore it apart. Careless attacks couldn’t pierce the vortex. The wind beast rushed through the storm of splinters. She tackled the Kuja and sank her sharp fangs into the meaty shoulder.

The warrior grunted, yet refused to yield. A solid punch to the gut forced the weasel to gag and release her bite. In turn, she flipped back and slashed with her impossibly sharp tail. The invisible armor faltered. A streak of crimson appeared across the warrior’s abs.

Both fighters took a step back, taking a brief moment to consider their next move...

Words: 558
Total: 5586

Petunia was far quicker to recover. She swept her living whip down low. The snake snapped onto the weasel’s hind leg. “Hrm!” A decisive yank robbed the beast of her balance.

While Yumiko struggled to pick up her aching bones from the pavement, the menacing foe marched through the raging winds. “How...?” Frozen in fear, stared up at the looming shadow. “How are thou strong enough to withstand the storm...?” Her voice wavered with sheer disbelief.

The cabbage seller leaned close. “I am the storm.” She grabbed the weasel by the scruff and drove her knee into her skull. Hard. It would’ve sent a lighter target stumbling, but the weasel wasn’t so lucky. With a mighty heave, the warrior hoisted the furry foe above her head, before slamming her back down. A nasty crack echoed even over the howling winds.

Twinkling stars filled Yumiko’s vision. Her claws scratched against the pavement. She coughed and sputtered more crimson, as her empty lungs refused to draw breath. Splintering agony radiated across her chest. Even one more hit... And she wouldn’t get back up again.

Petunia reeled Hammock back and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Now pay up and get out!” She reached to grab the weasel one last time... But only lightly brushed against her fur. After a puzzled pause, she tried again... And missed by mere inches again.

What was going on?

Slowly, the unsteady monster rose onto her hindlegs. She swayed in place. Strange phantoms danced in her vision, almost like premonitions of the foe’s intentions. She couldn’t make out the specifics though, no... Rather, she felt that staying in a certain spot was dangerous and her reflexes narrowly pulled her out of the way.

She couldn’t explain it either...

Abandoning all reason, the weasel surrendered to her instincts. Wreathed in whistling winds, she charged and slipped past the foe’s grasping hands. The invisible armor finally shattered beneath the power of the full-body tackle. She sent the cabbage seller tumbling backwards, right into her ruined vegetable cart. Dust and shredded cabbage was scattered into the storm.

Only the wailing winds disrupted the stunned silence. The crowd gawked in disbelief, in anger, as their brave champion fell. Lifeless Petunia was sprawled on a bed of cabbages. Those tiny, black eyes swirled in their sockets. Down and out.

Yet the winds still raged...

Yumiko remained in her mythical form. She had won... So why didn’t this feel like a victory? Silently she stared at the warriors around her. None of them were backing down. All of them looked ready to continue fighting. Her fur bristled at the thought.

Inside that rattled head, the wounded woman tried to sort out the shards of her broken thoughts. Why had she struggled so terribly against a humble merchant...? Was this woman just that strong...? Memories of her other foes flashed before her eyes.

...No. These people were not strong.

She was simply too weak.

A pathetic fraud playing pretend.

Like a twisted puzzle, the pieces started coming together. All this time, she had struggled because she had tried to be something she was not. Something she could never be. So what made this fight different? She glanced down at her bloodied claws. The final piece clicked into place. Yeeeesss...

At last, Yumiko noticed a familiar face in the crowd. “Master...” Soft pearls glimmered in the corners of her eyes, as she turned to face him. Something resembling a laugh sputtered from her throat. “Zawa... Zawawa... I finally understand...” Yet tears rolled down her furry cheeks. She wasn’t sure what she felt.

With unsteady steps, the weeping weasel crept closer. “Master...” She repeated a little louder. “I see so clearly now... Where I failed... I tried to be something I am not... Chased a foolish dream... When all along...” Her tone teetered between triumph and sorrow, the voice of a broken woman.

“I merely had to cast aside mine HUMANITY.”

Words: 654
Total: 6240

Doubts and insecurities rooted themselves deep into one’s psyche. Like stubborn weeds, they refused to be pulled out so easily. If they weren’t dug out in their entirety, they would simply break apart and sprout again. It took patience and care to remove them completely, to keep them away for good.

Nobody said that mending a broken mind was easy.

When Anton reached out to cup Yumiko’s furry cheeks, she instinctively bowed her head lower. Her black eyes glimmered with sorrow. “What...?” Confusion shook her already wavering voice. “No, that’s not... I don’t...” She didn’t understand. Just a second ago, everything had felt so clear. Now he dragged her thoughts back into the murky haze of uncertainty.

Weakened by the fight, the weasel couldn’t pull away. She couldn’t simply retreat behind her icy mask. His words crept through her ears... Rummaged inside her mind... Went around pulling out the corks of the bottled up emotions...

Sometimes, honesty could hurt more than any lie. The Rear Admiral’s kindness stabbed deep, clashing against everything the Petty Officer knew. His words were so earnest, so warm and yet... It was painfully clear that he didn’t comprehend the sheer audacity of his outrageous claims.

And how could he have?

Outsiders rarely understood the weight of Wano traditions. Conventions that went back hundreds, perhaps thousands of years were not something to be taken lightly. If one were to rebel against the ancient rules, to rewrite them, then one had better be a shining example of their case. Anything less became a cautionary tale instead.

When Yumiko found herself in a firm, warm hug, her remaining focus finally crumbled. The storm around them died down. Rubble clattered against the street. Dust drifted away. Silence reigned over the market place, disrupted only by the softest sobbing.

“I am... sorry...”

The wounded woman wept. Glimmering pearls trickled down her cheeks. Her paws reached around the man hesitantly, trying not to hurt him. Unfortunately, while seeking comfort, she squeezed far too hard. If he wasn’t ready with his haki, the absurdly sharp scythe claws would cut deep into his flesh.

Yumiko tried and failed to steady her voice. “Thou... Thou are wrong...” She managed to gasp weakly. “I never managed to protect anyone. Thou always had to save me. To clean up mine messes. I am naught but a fraud playing pretend.” She tried her best to explain, for she owed at least that much to anyone who cared to listen anymore.

With a deep and solemn sigh, the weasel continued. “Mine family would be ashamed to see what I have become.” She stared at her claws, stained with the blood of a civilian. “Too weak to be a samurai, too bloody to be a woman. Only mine beasthood remains true.” It was the only aspect she could see clearly anymore. Everything else was shattered into a million pieces.

And she didn’t know how to put the pieces back together...

Weakly the broken woman attempted to push the Rear Admiral away. This kindness, this warmth, a failure such as her deserved none of it. She tried to laugh at the absurdity of it all, but all that came out was a weak cough followed by a bitter mutter.

“This one is... truly... a fool.”

Words: 545
Total: 6785