Author's Note: As an action story, words would be loaded and exaggerated in context.
Prologue: Take The First Step
"Life is full of adventure. There's no such thing as a clear pathway."
-Guy Laliberte
To put it in the most lucid and unequivocal way, she did not intend to continue this over-adventurous "adventure". Then out of the blue she gave out a spontaneous and almost maniacal laugh that successfully caught the attention of a particular crew. "Mako, are you okay?" Usopp tentatively asked. The girl in unsound mind twisted her head to Usopp and gave a roguish grin in response. Usopp shuddered in horror as if he had just witnessed a revenant. Almost with malice aforethought to further petrify the already frightened lamb — ominous clouds enshrouds Thousand Sunny followed by a tumultuous flash of lightning that screams with anguish as it sails through the suddenly grim and desolate area.
"I can't take it anymore! This is a hellhole and Mako is possessed! Save me!" Usopp screamed in defeat whilst trying to locate his crew in hopes of emancipating him from this purgatory. However to his extreme fear, they were nowhere to be found and unfortunately to his dismay, he was left with the still lunatic Mako. Creak creak creak. Wide-eyed and stunned, he did not even dare to anticipate what was next to come. If anything, his adroit prophecy would foretell that that is a ghost approaching. To say that Usopp is scared certainly is an understatement.
"I am Usopp. The bravest warrior of the sea! Fear my existence you measly! I am not scared of you… not the slightest bit…"
Silence. Usopp collapsed on his knees to find his feigned act futile – even after much determination for that stout declaration. As every cloud have a silver lining, something was achieved. After Usopp sudden declaration, Mako became conscious of her actions and looked around. "Usopp-san where is everyone and where are we?" She asked all agog for answers but to only be introduced to the dead absence of sound. It was unqualified – no vibration, longitudinal waves were non-existence. What is happening?
"Mako, you finally came back to your senses. Where is everybody? Why is it so quiet? Did you see Usopp-sama great show just now?" Usopp continued with his myriad of stacking questions.
As questions remains unanswered, Usopp and Mako let their mind wonder the enigma but was intercepted when the entire of Thousand Sunny suddenly got glaciated. Mako shivered in the frigid weather and could feel the tip of her nose getting numb.
"What is happening Mako! Luffy and the rest are gone and now this?"
Mako contemplated for a logical definitive explanation. She then became cognizant of the situation and it turned out to be an especially unpropitious and unpleasant one.
"It's Aokiji, he is approaching"
"I thought so too it was all too obvious when ice started to form and Aokiji is the only person I know that can do that" Usopp stuttered through his word professing falsely.
"We can't flee with Thousand Sunny like that. You handle him" Mako said blithely
"What! No way"
Mako still could not apprehend what Aokigi wanted from them. Even with empirical thinking and consideration that Aokiji is retired from the Marines, there was absolutely no reason for his appearance. This is troubling. It did not take long before Mako heard the familiar sound of gears whirring and clinking bicycle wheels. And it sounds like trouble.
Mako squint her eye and did a prompt sweep around to discern the location of the impending guest. The vehicle was looming out from the thick fog. He's here.
"Sorry to interrupt your time" said in the most relaxed manner.
"He is here! We're dead"
Usopp was literally at the bleak with his theatrical distress. If you look closely enough you could see his soul manifesting itself out from his mouth. Everything was dreadful and beyond hope in his eyes.
"If it isn't Mako"
Scrunching her nose and frowning in utter suspicion, she smiled. Taking small steps, deep breaths, and silent prayers to no one — as she was agonist — she questioned him.
"What are you doing here?"
"Mere coincidence I guess?"
Rhetorical or not, his cavalier attitude was exceedingly irritating — a cat could even kill itself. Mako would certainly be incandescent if another apathetic answer comes out from that infernal nuisance. But what would she do? She was certainly unprepared and to her left was an obviously defeated Usopp. But before anymore apprehension, voices spoke out.
"Well don't be so uptight. I was just passing on a warning that beyond us is something ghastly that surpasses everything else."
Her slim fingers touch her chin whilst looking at the unexpected guest, she gave a sigh. As much as she wishes to be in Usopp current position, she had no choice but to persist with this riveting subject. But she sighed in ambivalence. It will be another adventure. She was not too penchant in exploits but the thrill and triumph was far too great to avoid. With her arms and legs unclenched, she did a languid gyration – swirling and twirling like the famous painting, Starry Night, the sky eddying in the landscape. At the standpoint of a mere stranger, she might have looked eminently drunk. It would certainly be no surprise if her erratic behaviour is accidentally misconstrued by passersby.
"By the way, I saw your friends on another pirate's deck going that way." He sluggishly points at a caliginous gorge ahead.
Kidnapped?
As worrying as it should be, the Straw Hat Pirates were indeed pirates with a preposterous amount of money above their head and they were obviously bound to be kidnapped. The situation would not have sounded grave but since the information was directly from Kuzan himself, the predicament must have been a verified one.
She was sore concerned for the Straw Hat Pirates but she knew they were formidable. Nevertheless, the ships trajectory to the unfamiliar location ahead unsettled her. It looked dingy and mirthless. It was a perversion from reality; it gave an impression of a horror film – terrifying and gruesome. The portentous signs were evident that clemency was not tolerated.
Adjusting her outer coat and scratching her head, she looked across to be disappointed. Usopp was sprawled out on the deck, face as pallid and raw-boned as a cadaver. Mako was definitely inadequately prepared for the abomination ahead.