Here it is - chapter 9!
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The Demon
Chapter 9
"You have to look after him – he's your son!"
"I have no obligation to care for him in anyway."
"What are you on about?! You can't just leave him to rot in the streets!"
"If it were up to me that's where he'd be right now. I never asked you to bring him back here."
"How can you be so selfish?! What has he ever done to you?!"
"He's taken Sayuri from me. A crime he will never be forgiven for."
"WHAT! He's a baby! Sayuri died naturally, it was no ones fault!"
"It was his."
"You're acting like a spoilt child! You're sad and need someone to take this out on, I understand that. But why choose your own son!"
"I don't just need someone to take this out on! Thanks to him my wife is dead. Why should I care for a murderer?"
"You're calling him a murderer?! I don't believe it! After all the innocent lives you've taken!"
"That has nothing to do with this! The fact is that…that…THING, will never live under my roof – and that's final!"
"So you can give it but you can't take it, is that what you're saying?"
"Stop turning philosophical on me Aya, it won't work."
"Kuzeo, sometimes words fail me."
They had come up with a plan. The straw hats needed to get back Nami and Zoro (Whatever state of mind he was in) and the brotherhood wanted the death of Kuzeo, or at least the destruction of whatever it was he had planned. They needed a way of getting to Skull Island safely, freeing 2 prisoners and somehow defeating the devil.
Well, the straw hats had the first thing covered – they could use the Merry Go to get there; they did however, lack a navigator.
The second thing was freeing the prisoners - none of them had any idea where they were. They only one who had been to Kuzeo's castle before was Aya, and she had never been anywhere near the dungeons.
The third thing was defeating Kuzeo. That, they decided, they would leave till last, as it was undoubtedly going to be the hardest thing to do. Luffy had said he would be willing to fight him, however, he had no idea what his enemies abilities were or how strong he was.
Aya filled him in.
"Kuzeo's powers are generated by black energy." She explained. "He can control it to do whatever he wishes, whether it's creating a shield or sword, taking a soul or communicating over long distances. This type of energy can let him do pretty much everything he wants to. You have to be careful when fighting him – he's known for using tricks."
"What about the demons?" Asked Robin. "What are their powers like?"
"Well, each individual is different. From what I've seen, every demon can only do a few things. For example, Kneale is the one I know best. The only things I've seen him do are turn his body into steel, turn his body into fire and create strange auras that make people fall unconscious."
"Those sound a lot like some devils fruits we've seen." Observed Sanji.
From behind him Robin giggled.
"Yes." She said. Everyone looked at her. "I've had my suspicions for some time now, ever since you said demons became paralyzed in holy water. But now, I think that confirms it."
"Confirms what Robin– Chan?"
"About what happens to demons when they die."
The brotherhood frowned.
"They turn to dust." Said Chika
Robin smiled.
"Yes, I know that. But have you ever been to the site that a demon's died on, a few hours after the event?"
Everyone shook their heads.
"Well I have, and right at the spot where their heart was, was a plant."
"A plant?"
"Yes. A small, shrub like thing with a very strange fruit growing from it."
The leader's head snapped up.
Of course! Why didn't I think of it before!
Chika seemed to have figured it out too, by the look of surprise on her face.
"Don't tell me," She said. "That fruit is a devil's fruit?"
Robin nodded.
"That's right. It would seem that when a demon dies, the ability that they used the most gets transferred into a fruit, which is why they have become known as devils fruits. It's also why those with abilities can't swim and become paralyzed in water; because that's what happens to demons in holy water. But it sees as if this weakness mutates a little for creatures that are still alive, making all water dangerous for them."
The leader nodded.
"You know," He said. "That actually makes sense."
"Maybe so," Isamu Interrupted. "But it doesn't help us. We still need a navigator to get this ship to Skull Island. Any of you have any bright ideas?"
The group was lapsed into silence as they all thought of a way out of this predicament. Skull Island had no magnetic field, so the log pose wouldn't lead them there – besides, Nami had it anyway. Normal compasses didn't work on the Grand Line either, so they wouldn't be any help. Even the map that The Leader (Who had introduced himself as Daisuke) had with him wasn't any use without a navigator. Things were looking bad.
"I have an idea!" Piped up Jason.
"Oh really? What?" Asked Diasuke.
"Well, maybe, if this was going to be a sort of great stand against Kuzeo, we could bring in everyone else. We have more than enough navigators, so one could be used to pilot the ship. And then, they could provide a diversion so we could sneak into Kuzeo's castle, hopefully we'll be able to free your friends before he realises that we're there. Then we can fight him!"
The group stared at him in bewilderment. It was a smart plan, especially coming from such a young child. Depending on how many people they could bring in at such short notice, it just might work!
"Well Jason, I have to say, it's a very good plan." Complimented Diasuke. "Isamu, contact the generals, get them to come to Ricko Island as fact as possible, with as many men as they can bring, all ready for war."
"Hai!"
"This will be our comeback to Kuzeo. Our last stand. We will either will and live, of fail and die. We are waging war, and we will not be taken down easily!" He cried.
"HAI!"
"Alright, he's in the east wing. Are you happy now?"
"Who's caring for him?"
"I've hired a nanny."
"Is she any good?"
"How would I know? She's the cheapest I could find."
"What! You only hired her because she was cheap! She's going to be taking care of your son!"
"I wouldn't be taking care of him at all if you hadn't nagged me so much! Honestly! If you were anyone else I'd have killed you by now."
"Then why aren't I dead?"
"Because I don't want to kill you! You're Sayuri's mother! She wouldn't want me to hurt you!"
"She wouldn't want you to hurt your son either."
"Shut up! Besides, if you love him so much why don't you look after him?"
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm old! I can barely take care of myself, yet alone a child! When he grows up and doesn't need as much looking after, I'll take him. But until then he can stay here – even if you are only paying a cheap nanny to care for him."
"How long will it be until you can take him?"
"I don't know! 11, 12 years maybe."
"That long!"
"Why are you so eager to get rid of him?! Just try being a father for once Kuzeo; you might like it!"
"Humh. I won't be going anywhere near him, yet alone trying to be a father!"
"Whatever. I've given up on you; you're too stubborn! Can I come and see him?"
"Eh? Sure. Anytime you want, just don't disturb me."
"Fine."
Nami sat in her cell. It was small, made completely of concrete, and her hands were cuffed tightly behind her back, digging into her skin slightly.
Where am I?
The last thing she remembered was seeing that demon on the deck, then she had started to feel really weak, and then….she was here!
Her stomach growled. How long had it been since she'd eaten? Too long, she decided.
She heard something move from behind the door, then the lock clicked, and it swung open.
Standing in the doorway was a man. He was reasonably tall, with black hair cut nicely around his face. He was dressed in a long, floor length cape, with blood red lining. It had a tall collar as well, which made him look like Dracula, Nami thought.
"You must be Nami." He stated.
"That's right." She answered. "Who are you?"
The man smiled and walked further into the cell.
"My name is Kuzeo."
Nami's eyes shot open. Kuzeo? This man was Kuzeo? Then that meant…..this was the devil! She tried to edge backwards, getting as much space between the two of them as possible.
I've been imprisoned by the devil! Luffy, help! Come quickly!
"What are you doing?" He asked, watching her movements.
"Oh…um, nothing! Nothing at all!"
He frowned, lifting an eyebrow at her response.
"Anyway, the fact is I don't want to keep you locked in this cell. I never wanted you here in the first place, so I may as well make your stay more enjoyable."
"R..really?"
He's being nice to me? It must be a trap!
"Yes. You must be hungry. I have food for 100 people waiting, so you can have as much as you want."
"Well….I am a little hungry."
"Of course you are! Here, let me take off those cuffs."
He moved his hand slightly and they fell clattering to the ground.
How did that happen?
"Come on, follow me." He said, walking out of the door. Nami quickly stood up and followed him.
He led her down a series of passageways, all lined with cells, until they reached a large, stone staircase.
Should I attack him now? Try to knock him out?
Kuzeo laughed.
"Let me tell you something Nami, I am impossible to sneak up on."
What! How did he know I was planning on doing that!
"It would be best for you if you simply did as you were told, that way I won't have to hurt you."
"o…ok!" Nami stuttered. "Whatever you say!"
Kuzeo grinned and continued walking up the stairs, with Nami following close behind.
Ok, I'll do what he wants me too for now – at least until I can find a way out of here.
They walked for what seemed like an age, until finally they reached a pair of huge, wooden doors. Kuzeo lifted his hand and they began to slowly open.
Inside was a massive hall. The ceiling was twice the height of Arlong Park and decorated with intricate patterns of leaves and such things. The great stone walls were covered in tapestries, each one telling a different story. Nami was enthralled by them – never had she seen such beautifully designed work, they must have taken years to make!
The only piece of furniture in the room was a huge, solid oak table that ran the length of the hall, and all the way along it was – food. There were joints of lamb, steaks, sides of mutton, fish pie, a verity of vegetables and much, much more. Nami had never seen so much food!
All around the table were richly decorated seats, at least 200, and all were empty – except one.
No way!
"Why have you fired my nanny?!"
"You call her a nanny?! She didn't know the first thing about raising children! You should have seen the way she was treating…..what have you named him?"
"I haven't."
"WHAT! He needs a name!"
"Why?"
"Because everyone needs a name! Now what will you call him?"
"I don't want to name him!"
"You're going to have to! You're his father!"
"Stop saying that! He is not my son!"
"Fine, do you want me to name him?"
"Do whatever you want."
"Then I'll name him after my father. Zoro."
"Zoro? That's a stupid name!"
"Do you have any better ideas?"
"No."
"Then stop complaining! Now then, you'll need a new nanny."
"Why? I had one until you fired her!"
"And because I fired her you'll need a new one! Do want me to pick one?"
"No! You'll choose the most expensive! I'm not made of money you know!"
"Kuzeo, you're one of the richest men in the world!"
"So! I don't like being cheated out of my money by some little slapper I'm paying to take care of some brat!"
"That 'brat' is your son."
"Stop saying that! Look, if it will shut you up, you can choose a new nanny, as long as she's not too expensive."
"Thank-you. You know Kuzeo, as this child gets older, he's going to be strong; with you as a father and Sayuri as a mother. Maybe it's best if you don't ill treat him."
"I'm strong enough to take care of myself Aya, stop treating me like a child."
"Stop acting like one."
"I'm not!"
"Yes, you are. It's time you realised, you have a responsibility now, stop trying to run away from it."
"Forgive me for trying."
"You drive me round the bend sometimes!"
"That's not very far."
"See! You're acting like a child again!"
"Oh, go away!"
Sayuri - Small lilly
Diasuke - Great help
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