Chapter 8
The Shenron skimmed along the water like a well-thrown stone. Four days had passed since it had left Oedo Bay, and Akasu had said that Habuza should be in sight by the next morning.
'Thank the spirits!' Wiseman thought to himself as the top half of his body hung over the side of the ship. He'd always been more of a 'dry land' sort of person. The ship and the ocean both moved about far too much! The sooner he got his feet back on good old Terra Firma, the better.
"Wiseman." The old inventor raised his head slightly to see Sasuke walking up to him, holding something covered with a cloth. "There you are, Wiseman. I noticed you were looking unwell, so I brought you something."
He whipped off the cloth.
"Sushi. Extra fresh."
On the plate there sat nearly a whole squid, complete with eyes to stare out at Wiseman. He could practically feel the colour draining from his face.
Sasuke looked on in confusion as his creator leant over the side of the ship and began making the strangest noises. Maybe he'd have preferred some rice with it.
Goemon stood at the bow of the ship, just watching the horizon. He was aware of the darker shadows moving deeper below the surface. That would be Impact and Miss. Wiseman hadn't been kidding when he said they would gladly walk to Habuza.
Goemon heard some footsteps coming up, and turned to see Jicho. The older man stood beside him and looked out over the sea.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" He said.
"Yeah." Goemon leant his elbows on the side. One of his favorite pastimes was sitting on the roof of his house, watching the world go by. He loved a good adventure, but nothing really compared to those times of peace.
"I used to stand on the cliffs of Habuza, and watch the sea." Said Jicho. "Before Gunsho came, that is."
"What's this Gunsho guy look like, anyway?" Asked Goemon.
Jicho gave a small shrug.
"I do not know really. I've never actually seen him. But I've heard many of his fighters speak his name. And considering how powerful some of them are, I'd hate to see just what he's capable of."
"Hmm, typical." Jicho looked to see Goemon standing with his hands behind his head and an almost bored expression on his face. "These bad guys are all the same. They get a bunch of lackeys to do their dirty work for them, and they only fight themselves when you got 'em cornered. They never come out to fight alone."
His lips suddenly formed a grin.
"And once they do, we just kick their butt into orbit! The whole thing can get kinda samey."
Jicho let out a small chuckle. This Goemon fellow really was something else.
"Hey, I've been wondering something." Said Goemon. "This whole chakra business. I mean, I know how it works and I know how to use it. But I didn't know you could leave it behind. Y'know, in objects."
"Oh yes." Jicho answered. "If you are around a place or object long enough, you leave some of your chakra behind in it. It even works if enough objects that you've touched are all together in the same place. It sends out a sort of signal, if you will."
"Wow." Goemon looked out over the sea again. A thoughtful look came to his face. "How long does the chakra stay in the object?"
Jicho gave a small shrug.
"It depends on how often it was used. If the said object was used regularly by a person, then their chakra could remain in it for years, decades. Even after they pass away."
Goemon's hand slipped down to his golden kiseru.
'I wonder.' He thought. 'Does that mean that Dad and Grampa's chakra may still be present in my kiseru? That maybe there's a part of them still with me when I fight?'
His mouth broke into a small smile. That was certainly a nice way to think of it.
High above the ship, where no one could see it, a small robot hovered. In place of its' face was a lens that zoomed in one the ship and its' passengers.
The image appeared on a holographic screen in a room pitched entirely in darkness. Two black eyes watched The Shenron as it made its' way across the ocean. A slight chuckle rang out.
"Heh heh heh. Soon… Soon the kunoichi's chakra will return to this island, and I will be ready to take it. With the replenished tower as its' power supply, my mighty fortress will take to the skies and I will conquer all that lies before me! So come, heroes. Come and meet your doom! Mwa ha ha. Wa ha ha. Ah ha -"
"Why's it so dark in here?"
There was a click and the ceiling lights came on, revealing a short, dark-haired man with a moustache that looked to be the same length as his height! Gunsho looked towards the door in fury. Standing there, with his finger still on the light switch, was another, taller, man dressed in a white ghi suit with a katana by his side.
"Baki!" Gunsho yelled. "What have I told you about coming in on my alone time?"
"Sorry Boss." Baki replied. "It sounded like you were talking to someone."
"Didn't you read the sign on the door!" Baki looked behind him and that there was indeed a sign that stated:
'Evil Monologue in Progress. Do Not Disturb.'
"Oh." The warrior answered simply. "Why do you need the lights off?"
"It's a little something called 'drama'." Gunsho answered with a sigh. "Never mind. I was actually going to call you anyway."
The tyrant gestured toward the image before him.
"Our guests are due to arrive here sometime tomorrow. Judging from their course, they'll probably dock at Jiyarai town. I want you to contact Kuroka. Tell him to make sure the town is in a proper state to welcome the arrivals. Wha ha ha. Mwa ha ha. Ah ha-"
Gunsho noticed the perplexed look on Baki's face. He sighed again.
"Tell him to trash it."
"Oh! Right, Boss."
Baki left and Gunsho rested his head on his hand. Nobody appreciated the art of evil anymore.
(Next morning)
"Land Ho!"
Goemon and his friends all rushed to the front of the ship. Indeed, ahead of them, they could see a mass of land. Even at a distance, the island looked huge, and it was getting bigger as they sailed up to it.
"Wow. This place is enormous!" Said Ebisu. "I can't believe no one's ever found it before."
"The kunoichi's tower always kept the island invisible from the sea." Jicho answered him. "It also affected the currents that surrounded the island. They were never really dangerous but, still, many ships were put off by the unpredictable waters around here."
He sighed.
"But that all changed when the tower started to lose its' power. Now our home is vulnerable."
"Well it won't stay that way for long!" Goemon brought his fist down to his palm; that ever-present grin on his face. "We're gonna get the tower back to normal and kick that Gunsho off of your island!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself." Said Akasu. "Our top priority is to remain unnoticed. Speaking of which…" He cast his eyes to the water, where the tops of Impact and Miss' heads were beginning to break the surface.
Yae leant over the side so she could talk to the two mechas.
"Hey guys." Their heads tilted up slightly, indicating they'd heard her. "I think it's best if you stay here. Sorry, but you kinda draw a lot of attention. We'll call you if we need you."
The heads stopped their progression to the shore and disappeared below the waves.
The ship finally docked and the gangplank was lowered. As everyone came off the ship, Akasu voiced his plans.
"The crew can stay here at Jiyarai Town, while the rest of us -" He stopped abruptly, as did everyone else when they saw the town ahead of them.
Smoke arose from houses where fires had recently been put out. Some buildings were missing doors, windows or entire walls! Townspeople were moving to and fro, carrying various building materials. The whole town was practically a wreck.
"What happened?" Yae looked around at the destruction.
"Gunsho." Jicho's head hung and his voice came out mournful. "He must've known we'd come here, so he did this to the town as a message."
Omitsu's eyes were wide at the scene before her. As well as the damaged buildings, she could see people with various injuries sitting on the streets. A low growl sounded out next to her. She turned to see Goemon with his teeth grinding and his fists clenched.
"Coward!" He suddenly cried out. "I say we go after the guys that did this and beat 'em into the ground!"
"Don't be stupid, Goemon." Said Yae. "That's probably what they want us to do. We'd be walking right into an ambush." She turned to Jicho.
"Do you know where the Lord of this town lives?" Jicho nodded and pointed in a direction.
"Yes. It's right this way."
"Okay," Yae continued. "I need to get a look at the layout of this island, so that we can find the most secure route to the tower."
"Excuse me, Miss Yae." Sasuke stepped forward. "If it is alright with you, I would like to remain in the town. I may be able to help these people with their rebuilding."
"Yes, I would like to stay too." Said Omitsu. "I could help some of the injured."
"I'll stay with Omitsu." Offered Goemon.
"And I'll help as well." Said Ebisu.
"Okay. I'll come find you guys later." Yae set off with Jicho, Akasu and Wiseman. Meanwhile, Goemon and the others started helping in whatever way they could.
'Just you wait, Gunsho.' Goemon thought to himself. 'You've gone and made me mad. And no one has ever done that and not regretted it.'
