Chapter 20

-20 years ago, at the World Government Headquarters-

Kota breathed wearily. Those workouts were too hard and demanding.

He felt a presence behind him.

It was his older brother Rob Lucci, whom he loved more than anything else in the entire world.

-Brother! - exclaimed excited to see him.

Lucci stopped Kota, preventing from hugging him, but patted him on the head.

-Have you advanced in your training?

-Yes! But I'm better at studying ...

Kota was very smart, while Lucci was strong.

-Boys! - exclaimed Kalifa, a girl who was also being trained alongside them - Jabra has been punished again!

-It's not my problem, that way he will learn to be less idiot.

Kalifa glanced at Lucci with distaste as he walked away nonchalantly.

-Your brother is so boring...

Kota dropped a drop of sweat.

-Well, you already know it.

Both children quickly became friends. Kalifa was the daughter of one of the highest-ranking Government Agents, which was why she had been brought to train there, although she never met that father.

-Hum! Whatever! - Kalifa grumbled - Let's go bother Jabra!

Kota accepted his friend's plan.

Before leaving, the boy turned to see his brother go the other way.

Unlike Lucci, Kota didn't feel his brother's patriotism towards the World Government. He was only there because he had nowhere else to go.

"I feel like you are changing more and more, and I don't like that"

-7 years later-

Kota was already 14 years old. He and his brother Lucci had ended up affiliated with the secret section of CP9, along with the rest of his childhood companions, such as Jabra and Kalifa.

Both brothers were strong, but while the older brother was violent and dedicated, the younger brother enjoyed administrative tasks more. Kota was very smart, but he didn't enjoy having to leave the CP9 headquarters, preferring to devote himself to logistics and other tasks.

Since practically his entire education had been received from the World Government, he saw no moral flaws in the acts they committed and his loyalty to the World Government was absolute. Kota always followed orders and never doubted the decisions of his superiors, and above all, he never doubted or distrusted his brother.

However, one day at age 14, something changed inside his head.

-Kota! - exclaimed Kalifa - Have you heard? Someone has drop out!

That caught Kota's attention.

-Drop out? Why would some idiot want to do something like that?

-I don't know, but Lucci wants you to go to the interrogation room to find out.

The teenager nodded. When his brother considered that someone wasn't worth his time, he used to let the minor do his job, because despite his young age and apparent indifference, Kota turned out to be quite effective with interrogations and intimidations.

He entered the interrogation room and saw the man who had probably made the worst mistake of his life. He was tied hand and leg to a vertical table. And next to him, there was a table full of torture devices.

He looked closely and realized that the man was already covered in blood and his breathing was shaky. He had severe burns all over his body and was missing a pair of fingers. He had already been tortured.

-He doesn't seem likely to talk - he heard Lucci say next to him.

Kota looked the man and saw he was crying.

-Why are you crying? - He asked curiously.

The man spat at the teenager, causing the older man to whip his face.

-Answer him - Lucci ordered him.

The man looked at the older brother in disgust, and then at the younger one.

-Are you two brothers?

-Yes - replied the minor.

-Well, you don't look much alike.

-What makes you think that?

-You, the dwarf - he looked with difficulty to Kota - You still have salvation.

Salvation? What was that man talking about?

-I don't need anyone to save me.

-So weak-minded... You've let all this bunch of idiots brainwash you with their twisted and filthy beliefs!

Lucci continued torturing the man.

Despite the screams of agony, Kota heard only the man's words. Could he be saved? Had they brainwashed him? What the hell was he talking about?

-Why have you deserted? You had a good life as a Government Agent, you're a privileged person since the Government is generous and kind to us.

The man laughed.

-You must be kidding, right kid? We're nothing to the Government but killing machines! They brainwash us to act according to their will so that they don't have to stain their hands with blood!

-It's our job to do justice and punish those who don't follow the rules.

-You sound like a robot. Don't you have a mind of your own? Don't you know how to decide for yourself?

"What...What is he saying?"

-I... I'm not a robot! I follow orders because that keep the world in balance!

-And what's that balance!? Killing people just because they don't think like us? We have murdered entire families just because one of their members wasn't following the rules! Children, old people... Innocent people have been tortured and killed because of orders of someone who has never seen these people's faces or will have to! We aren't heros, we are murderers!

Something inside Kota broke. Or rather, something began to spin. His hands began to tremble.

The man smirked.

-You're nervous - he looked the teenager in the eyes - Are those robotic responses that you have engraved in your mind since you were a kid starting to make no sense?

-I... I'm not a murderer... No... - he started to back away - I don't kill without meaning... those people... - he began to hesitate - Those people were traitors who didn't deserve the mercy of the Government...!

-Kota - said Lucci - Step aside, you're no longer necessary.

-Why? - he asked altered - I'm fine! I can do it!

-No - Lucci denied.

Kota watched his brother beat and cut that man brutally.

Screams of agony flooded his ears and blood splattered his face.

Kota watched the last moments of that subject's life as he writhed in utter agony.

-YOU WILL PAY FOR YOUR SINS! - shouted the man with his last breath - YOU WILL PAY FOR EVERYTHING!

Eventually, the man died when Lucci broke his skull with a bat, splattering the entire room with the man's brains.

After freezing for a moment, Kota finally regained his composure.

-I... - he tried to justify himself, but his brother looked at him nonchalantly.

-Next time - Lucci looked at him coldly - Don't be so weak.

-What... did the man do to end up like this? To receive torture instead of execution? He was just a deserter, not a spy...

The smile his older brother showed instantly chilled his blood. It was an evil smile.

-Do we need a reason?

-A few days later-

Kalifa was concerned about Kota. He had been behaving strangely for days.

She approached him, doubtful.

-Kota, are you alright?

Kota looked at her, suffering.

-I've been thinking about it... I never wanted to be here. I never chose being this way.

Kalifa looked at him, confused.

-Nobody chooses it. It's our duty.

-But... what if I want to be something else? Can't I choose my own life? Can't I leave this place?

-Are you crazy!? If someone hears you, they'll send you to court! We all signed a contract whereby we dedicated the rest of our lives to serving the World Government. You can't do anything about it!

Kota was beginning to realize that he really had no power of choice. He was a slave.

-Kota, what's wrong? You're confusing me...

-I'm going to speak to Lucci. I will live my own life.

-Are you crazy!? - Kalifa tried to stop him - If you tell him all that, he will kill you for treason!

-He's my brother, he would never hurt me - he replied completely convinced.

Maybe Lucci was cold on the outside, but Kota was convinced that he would understand and help him. Lucci had always been there for him.

...

-Brother!

-What do you want? - said Lucci coldly.

-I've been thinking about it and... I think I don't want to continue being a government agent.

-What?

-I want to live freely. Do you think I could... leave?

Lucci's gaze changed completely to a kinder and more affectionate one, something that disturbed the younger. His brother was starting to act strange.

-Is this how you feel?

-Yes...

-Then don't worry - he answered calmly - You can leave.

-Seriously? - Kota asked surprised.

-Of course, you're my brother.

-Lucci! Thanks! - he exclaimed with joy.

-And what are you going to do once you're out?

-Hm? I don't know - he started to walk towards the door happily - Does it matter?

-A few days later-

-I can't believe Lucci has allowed it - Kalifa told him.

-I told you, he's my brother, he would never do anything to me.

-Still... There's something wrong... - Kalifa knew it couldn't be that easy, something was wrong.

-Well, I already have everything - he said while carrying a backpack - I'm leaving, Kalifa.

She didn't dare look him in the eyes.

-Come with me, we will live together!

She smiled.

-I'm not that brave.

They both started walking until they reached the front doors of the Ennies Lobby.

-Kalifa, if you ever decide to leave - he kissed her - I will come for you.

The blonde looked at Kota with sadness. She didn't want him to leave, but this was his decision and, if that made him happy, she would accept it.

She nodded with sadness as her partner went inside the train.

Suddenly, she had a bad feeling.

-Kota! - Kalifa shouted nervously - Don't go inside!

The teenager was far away, so he couldn't listen to her, but when he saw her anguished face, Kota knew that something was odd.

He looked inside the train. It was a train with more than 200 dead passengers.

He ran towards the exit, only to see Kalifa's face of absolute terror, and his brother's eyes, which watched him with absolute coldness.

Next to him, were his other CP9 teammates and Spandam.

-What's happening? - Kota asked confused.

-You're a traitor - Spandam said with a grin on his face - And traitors must be punished.

-Traitor? Lucci! - he looked at his older brother - You told me nothing was going to happen! What is all this? You're my brother!

-Brother? I only see a traitor.

Kota realized that his beloved brother had betrayed him.

Kalifa ran to the jury room of the Palace of Justice. But, what was she going to do? That trial was nonsense.

-Rob Kota - Chief Judges Bas, And and Kerville, read at the same time - You are accused of high treason against the World Government and the murder of 200 people on the train.

-That's a FUCKING lie! I DIDN'T MURDER THOSE PEOPLE AND YOU KNOW IT PERFECTLY!

Kota was furious. Those deaths were to increase the sentence. It was also a corrupted jury, they would never declare him innocent.

-You are sentenced to life in prison. You must remain in the Impel Down Prison at Level 6.

-FUCK YOU! - he started screaming angrily as the guards dragged him out - ROB LUCCI SON OF A BITCH! I'LL GET OUT OF JAIL AND KILL YOU!

Kalifa watched desperately at Kota while she could do nothing but watch.

-3 years later-

They tortured him every day and the guards abused him whenever they wanted.

He didn't lose his sanity due to the hatred that grew inside him every day.

Every day, he thought of a different way to kill Lucci and all those who locked him up.

He became a violent prisoner, and the guards began to have trouble controlling him. Not even Magellan could keep him at bay.

They isolate him, but that only made him more rebel.

Finally, the Court of Justice ruled that he would be sentenced to death, so they took him out of prison to a ravine.

Kota looked back. He realized that escape was impossible.

Spandam pointed a pistol at him.

-It's a shame this had to end like this - he didn't sound sad at all - You had the potential to work at CP0.

Kota spat in his face.

-Well - said Spandam, while removing the spit from his face - I suppose those were your last words.

Suddenly Lucci appeared.

Three years. For three years he had been fueling his hatred for that person.

And yet, the words didn't come out.

Kota stared into his older brother's eyes. Lucci loaded the weapon.

He felt his heart pounding.

He looked his brother in the eyes for the last time, with the greatest coldness he had ever expressed.

-Goodbye, Kota - Lucci said in an almost robotic voice.

-Fuck you.

He heard a deafening sound, followed by pain so strong in his right eye that he was unable to speak or move.

He felt him being kicked off the cliff and, as he fell, his vision began to blur.

There was nothing around him, apart from an icy wind that froze him.

As he continued to fall off the cliff, he couldn't help but think of one thing.

"Damn, dying is really painful"

Kota woke up suddenly, breathing heavily. His chest burned and it was hard to breath.

-Easy - he heard an extravagant voice say - You will be fine.

He felt several hands gripping him, trying to calm him, and he wanted to stop himself, but there was too much energy overflowing inside him.

Finally, after an hour of intense pain, the agitation he felt in his chest began to diminish, until finally he could calm down.

He felt a very painful prick in his right eye, so began to moan in pain.

-I know it hurts, but you're fine, you'll survive - the same voice continued - Everything will be fine.

Those words were all he needed, so he fell into a deep sleep.

After getting up, the first thing he saw was the face of an extravagant okama.

-...

-Good morning boy! Are you feeling better?

The boy looked at that man / woman with purple hair and turned around.

-Oi! Don't ignore the one who saved your life!

The teenager took a deep breath and turned to look at him/her again.

-I must be dead.

-Haha, Well I'm sorry to inform you that you're still in the world of mortals!

-How is that possible? - he touched the bandages on his face - They shot me in the head and threw me down a cliff ...

-You had the good, or bad, luck of falling near our boat - answered a second voice, coming from a man with black hair and a strange mark on his face - My name is Dragon, and right now you are on a boat from the Revolutionary Army.

Hearing that name, Kota jumped and put himself on guard. Until he reconsidered.

They were no longer his enemies. There was no point in fighting them anymore.

-It seems that you have calmed down, my name is Ivankov - he/she held out a glass of water - I can deduce from the mark of fire on your chest that you are a World Government Agent.

-I'm not like that scum anymore- he replied with disgust as he quickly drank the glass of water.

-You're not working for them?

-Work? - he laughed bitterly - I've never "worked", I was just another slave, but with suit.

-Hm - Dragon said with a mysterious smile - If the Government heard you say something like that they would execute you.

-They have already done it - he answered while looking at the ground - They locked me up for 3 years in Impel Down and decided to execute me because my bad behavior.

-What did you do to get you sentenced to Impel Down? - Ivankov asked curiously.

-Nothing, I just said I wanted to abdicate. I worked for CP9. One day I just decided that, maybe, what we were doing was not right.

-Seriously? And how did you come to that conclusion? - Dragon asked surprised.

-I... I just realized that I didn't want to continue being their machine anymore... I thought they would let me go, but I was wrong. Without realizing, I was charged with the murder of 200 people and sentenced to death.

-Just because you didn't want to continue working for them?

-We have no decision-making power. Many of us are orphans sold to them

-Amazing, they even kill each other...! - Dragon said surprised.

-Boy, you shouldn't stress so much at the moment - Ivankov tried to reassure him - They shot you in the right eye and the bullet went through your skull. It was a miracle that we could even find you alive. I thought you wouldn't make it honestly, and if it wasn't because I injected you with my hormones, be sure you wouldn't.

-Hormones?

-Yes, it's part of my Akuma No Mi, but it has a price. In exchange for getting you out of it you have lost 10 years of your life expectancy.

-I don't care, it's not as if I wanted, or could, reach so many years.

He felt horrible pain

Kota struggled to get up, and looked at himself in a nearby mirror. He removed the bandage.

He froze when he saw what was underneath.

Beneath it was nothing more than a huge bloody hole where the eye socket used to be. It was so awful to see that he immediately covered himself with the bandage.

-You have no skin left to cover the wound. The doctor advises you to avoid the patches, since the risk of an infection is higher, so it will be better to always wear a blindfold.

The male sighed.

-I just wanted a normal life - he wanted to cry, but pride prevented it - I wasn't going to do anything. I was going to travel to a non-allied country and remain silent for the rest of my life.

Dragon got behind him and placed his hand on his shoulder.

-What about now?

Kota turned and looked at the marked man.

-Now I'm going to make them regret not hitting my brain.

Dragon smiled.

-Welcome aboard.