The Gate to Kisho
Day 15: Here we go! We rested for one day after leaving Sharpshooter Island, then made for the northern kingdom! It's time we kicked Akaiso's butt! As soon as we sailed into Hoku no Fuyu Island…
Chapter 28
Kingdom in Peril
"Lord of the Lands, Master of the Ice, our very own Mr. 0 of the Works. Many have fallen in battle up to this point. Our very own enemies have challenged us. Now, I shall allow our leader, Mr. 0 Kniex 'Storm' Akaiso to take over." Mr. 1 sat down.
They were in a large office room, positioned at a corner of the large castle sitting upon a plateau in the snowy region. Surrounding the plateau were hundreds of smaller buildings, including markets, houses, and much more. The entire circle was known as the Frona Kingdom.
"Being a Shichibukai," Akaiso started. "I have much power throughout the world. I have been nothing but a casino owner up to this point – Frona Kingdom was a beautiful place for me to settle many years before. The Queen, oh how gorgeous she is. She granted me a portion of the kingdom to lead.
"Of course, Crocodile came here years before to speak, and he discovered my organization. He took my idea to the Grand Line at the kingdom of Alabasta, and was destroyed by his avarice for wealth and the Poneglyphs. A boy named Monkey D. Luffy took him down, and the government covered up the case.
"Now, on his way to the Frona Kingdom, a group of pirates similar to the Straw Hats in the Grand Line has challenged me. Zato D. Alba and his crew of Star Pirates. I wouldn't underestimate them, we already have and they took out many of our agents. Mr. 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 pairs have all fallen.
"And lastly, the traitor Mr. 10 has allied with these pirates, making them our number one threat. As soon as they reach Hoku no Fuyu island, guide Zato D. Alba and Neko Panora to me. I have a particular interest in those two. The rest are for you to take care. Now, split up!" Akaiso shouted. The entire group nodded and moved about.
Mr. 1 and Mr. 2 stayed at Akaiso's side. "Remember the prisoner. Keep him as bait. I have sent a message to Akainu, and hopefully he will arrive to take care of everything I missed."
The door suddenly opened, and a new figure stood there. "Akaiso, of course you waited for me to have the meeting," she muttered sarcastically.
Akaiso grinned and responded, "Ah, my lovely Commander of Cynicism. It's amazing that you decided to come for the special occasion. Today is the day I took complete control of Frona Kingdom! Celebrate it with me, Mimi!"
Mimi Reishouteki Akaiso glared at him disgustingly.
\/\/-\/\/
The Star Pirates pulled into the foggy port. The mist concealed whatever lay ahead for them. "Akaiso owns a portion of the Frona Kingdom. He plans to take the full thing some time soon. It may be today," said Neko. "So beware. Some of the people will be the good citizens. But there's always his real five agents – Mr. 1 up to Mr. 4 pairs who will be loitering around, maybe in disguise. Akaiso's major hideout is a few miles down the road from the kingdom. It's a nice building, comforting. But truly that's his hideout, underneath it. Beware of everything. I think we should stick together."
Tohru kept hitting her head. "Anything else ya gotta say before we go kick his asss?"
Neko thought for a moment while looking past the pirates. "Hm… oh wait! This is important!"
The crew leaned ahead, interested in what he was going to say. Instead, Neko pointed past them playfully saying, "That's a cool ship!"
Smack! Whack! Smaack! Neko lay on the deck beaten up once more, this time all by Evian. Tohru looked at the ship and then turned to Evian. "Baka! He was smart for noting that!" This time, Evian took the severe beating while Tohru yanked Neko off the floor. "Ignore Evian. Zato! That's Yoyma! Remember Mimi's ship!"
Zato grinned. "Meaning she's already here. She'll definitely ally with us. Alright, let's go!"
The five pirates along with Nick jumped from the deck and landed smoothly in front of the grand Frona Kingdom. Neko remained on deck and kept staring at Yoyma. "Mimi.. Mimi.. that name… no way!! Guys!" he suddenly cried.
He was too late – the crew had already made its way into Akaiso's nest! "Wait!" he cried once more. Then, he felt his feet freezing. He looked down and saw snow forming on it. "What?!"
"Neko Panora, or as we should call you, Mr. 10," Mr. 4 cackled. "I'm surprised you made it this far. Now it's time we took you to Akaiso!"
"HEEELLPPPP!!" Neko screamed in time.
Luckily, Fuyu heard. "What the.. Neko's in trouble guys!"
Zato turned and saw two figures in the foggy distance. "We can't all go! I can already see crowds gathering under the plateau! Something big's happening!... Fuyu, Tohru, Evian, Olvia, Nick! Rescue Neko, stop Akaiso's agents! I'm going to the kingdom!"
None of them were happy by his new order. "Zato… we can't do that."
"GO!" Zato suddenly exploded. The captain's true anger was released. "Get Neko back! I'm the captain of this crew!"
They all put disappointed looks before nodding and rushing for Neko.
\/\/-\/\/
"My people, please. I will assure you that none of it… it is a scam. Just a lie. Do not believe it. Do not take it for real!" said Queen Nora to the crowds. "I have even requested Akaiso to show up here and speak the truth!"
The rioting crowds below were not convinced. Many held the flyer that sparked their rage. The section of the newspaper published by Akaiso stated:
FOR NOW IT IS ONLY THIS, MY PEOPLE. I AM THE NEW RULER OF FRONA KINGDOM. I AM THE POWERFUL SHICHIBUKAI. THOSE WHO OPPOSE WILL FACE DEATH. QUEEN NORA WILL SUFFER IN FRONT OF YOU, THE DAY I TAKE PLACE AS THE NEW KING! NONE WILL BE SPARED, ALL WILL SUFFER UNDER MY RULE.
Zato had managed to get his hands on the article and gasped. A little later, he found himself stuck in the growing crowds.
Finally, Akaiso appeared at the balcony of the castle. "My people," he chuckled. "You read the message in the newspaper, am I not right?"
A loud response came back. "Ah. Horrible it is. Horrible for you to read. Of course, I wouldn't say something like that would I? No.. I wouldn't!"
The crowds finally sighed, calmed upon finally knowing that the kingdom was safe. But to break their moment, Akaiso continued. "I wouldn't publish it! I would tell you, right here on the balcony!! From this point on, you are all my servants! AND I AM THE NEW KING!!"
The crowd became silent. Zato clenched his fists in rage and exploded first. "Kniex 'Storm' Akaiso!!" he roared, catching the Shichibukai's attention.
"Who's that little pest down there?" he muttered. "What is it? A boy like you? I wouldn't expect you to be the first to yell."
"You probably don't know me, but I'm the captain of the Star Pirates. I'm Zato D. Alba, and I've come, to kill you and your Akaiso Works!!"
Loud gasps spread through the crowds, and Akaiso became tense. "Zato… Alba? The pirates have come??"
Clank! The kingdom guards had attacked from behind. "Sir Akaiso, this had better be a joke. We're sentencing you to prison for this stuff."
Froosh! The two were instantly frozen, and the citizens watched weakly as Akaiso released his anger as well. "You're the one who's been opposing me all along!? Well it's time I took you out quickly!!"
Akaiso produced his menacing weapon, a large blue staff in the shape of a trident. "This is the staff of water and ice! This is why I am a powerful Shichibukai! Let me demonstrate my power…"
Ring Ring! Ring Ring! The Den Den Mushi in his pocket began to buzz, stopping Akaiso before he froze the entire body of people down below. "Mr. 0 Sir Akaiso! This is Mr. 4! It's urgent! Very urgent! We brought the traitor, Mr. 10 to the base. But we were pursued by.. pirates! The Star Pirates are attacking our hideout! Akaiso Works is in danger! They're not to be underestimated – Fuyu Sashimi has already slain Mr. 11 and Ms. Dawnflame! They blew down the massive doors, and the short girl, she started a huge galestorm in here!"
The crowd and the queen who was approaching all heard this. Zato grinned for a moment, realizing that his crew had succeeded. "I knew I could trust you guys."
Akaiso shook with rage and cracked the Den Den Mushi in his hand, cutting off Mr. 4. "Zato Alba. You have opposed me this much? I'll deal with you and the rest of the kingdom later. It seems that my works is starting to fail me. Farewell for now. Next time we meet, don't expect me to shed mercy!"
Right there, ice froze around Akaiso and then began to melt. He had gone already. Zato watched as if expecting it to happen, though he remained calm. The people around him, however, did not. "That Akaiso. And the kingdom. They've betrayed us. Queen Nora knows of this, of course she does!" one civilian said. Zato got a good look at him and noticed that he was unlike the others – he had a perfidious look upon his face with a cruel snarl. "I won't stand by to letting the kingdom take us down. Who's with me?! Who will fight to oust the Queen?!"
It was silent at first, but many civilians were encouraged into roaring with him. "Bring down Frona Kingdom!" the whole mass eventually began chanting.
Queen Nora watched from above in fear. "What is going on? This…"
She was cut off by another female behind her. "It's all a part of Akaiso's plan. He doesn't want any part of it to go wron. Many of Akaiso's own army have been inserted into the crowd. Akaiso wishes to bring about true madness to the whole kingdom, and he will arrive to rescue everyone. Right now, they think you support him, and that you are simply letting things go. They wouldn't want a leader like you. But I'm here to help you."
Queen Nora spun around to see Mimi charging at her. "No!" she cried, but it was too late.
"Do not worry one bit. You don't need to face any pain. You don't have to face the crowds who wish to kill you. I'll finish it quick right here!"
--
With the kingdom in chaos, things shift towards Akaiso's hideout.
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