The fog obscured nearly the entire isle of the sea! You couldn't see past the hull of the ship in fact! It was the first warning that Serenity gave them, coming only after the chills that they all felt. Could an unknown presence really be so foreboding as to make one's body shake uncontrollably? If their movements were anything to show for it then it was indeed the fact of the matter. It didn't help that the entire area was bathed in darkness due to the night! Even the stars had lost their visibility. Despite the bad omens they were receiving, they had come too far to let their nerves turn them away from their goal. The confrontation with their most powerful enemy to date was priority number one!
"We've GOT to be getting close...my body won't stop shaking. It's got to be my nerves", Moira said. It was noticeable on all of them, even though some of them tried to hide it.
"Ha! I'm not afraid! There's nothing to be afraid of, right Raymond?" He glanced over towards his mentioned friend, whom was looking out into the distance. Even though he lacked a reply, his face spoke for him. He was very uneased. This only made Jabra himself feel uneased as well. "Well, gee when you put it that way", he said as he patted Raymond's shoulder.
"Listen to yourselves...you all sound like you're giving up or something. Don't get cold feet now", Lucci said.
Serenity shook her head as she rubbed her own arms. "Don't pretend like you're so calm. I can tell you're panicking on the inside." Her comment went Un responded by Lucci as she expected.
Kumadori could be seen behind Gurin. He wasn't necessarily hiding behind her, but he was more or less holding on to her. He felt that she along with his friends were his safety net for his comfort. He firmly believed that they were about to enter the bowels of hell. Though to be honest, from what they had all been told, it wasn't much of a stretch. "We'll get through this together!" No matter what happens, we'll get through it together!" It felt pretty good to hear one of the most paranoid of the group say that.
The air outside had grown too chilly for them to continue, so they each retired to their respective rooms. All except for two of them. Raymond and Gurin were looking over files in the spare room...but little did they know, there was a surprise waiting on them. The two were just nearing the end of a file that talked about cp9's first mission when an unfortunate event occurs. "Oh! This one is apparently about their very FIRST time going on a mission. This should be good! It says that their very first mission was actually before any of them were even adults. They were tasked with infiltrating the twoer of Justice? Their own home? Wait! I get it! It's BEFORE the lived there", Gurin said.
"Makes sense actually. They's have to know how to get in no matter what. I'm assuming it was some sort of training", Raymond replied.
"Yup! I'll read on", she said as she turned the page. "It says here that the mission was for them to break into the tower of justice, whilst under attack of the previous cipher pol generation. That seems like it would be a hard task but cp9 was supposed to be one of the stronger generations, right? Anyways, it says that they had to break into the place in any way they could. Even though they were expected to fail...they actually passed with flying colors. All because they had such creativity in mind."
"That sounds about right. Each of them managed to make their own versions of their assassination techniques. Kumadori can use his staff like a pistol, Jabra can move while using iron body, Blueno can even turn his whole body into a blade. It's actually pretty inspiring."
"Yeah. Plus there's still so many more things they can do. Oh, listen to this. Lucci decided he wanted to plow his way through the guards, although one of the ciphers gave him a decent amount of trouble. Needless to say he ended up infiltrating the tower. Kaku was still a bit too young at the moment, but his attempt came later. Jabra and Blueno managed to sneak in through the windows after taking out some agents whom were patrolling the outer area of the building. Kumadori turned himself into paper and...slid under the door?"
"Well, he's eccentric like that. It worked tho apparently."
"Indeed, it did! Says here Fukurou bribed his way in by threatening to tell the guards biggest secrets. Sounds about right. Hey, what's that by your leg? Another picture", Gurin asked.
"That... wasn't there before. I think! I'm pretty sure there were no pictures in this file." Raymond picked up the picture...and his face seemed to have a horrified look. "It says...I see you...and on the picture is...", he said as he turned it towards her.
She also seemed to be horrified as the picture that was shown was a picture of them reading the file about the first mission. "Someone JUST took that picture! That's the same file we're reading right now! Who could have...", her words were interrupted by a sudden noise.
"Peekaboo", an unfamiliar voice said as they both turned towards the door that seemed to slowly creek open. "I've been waiting for you and your entire crew", the voice said. From the shadows of the door appeared a man. He was standing tall, and wore what appeared to be a black suite. He had a strange multi colored tie hanging around his neck... and his face bore a big smile. It didn't look like a happy one...more like a deranged one. Almost like he was smiling at some kind of morbid joke.
"Who are you? Where did you come from", Raymond asked.
"You needn't worry about that. I'm just here for the leverage."
"Leverage", Gurin repeated. She was just as confused as the scientist next to her.
The man closed his eyes and smiled... before looking them dead in the eyes. His pupils were foreboding and nearly seemed to flash red at them! "LEVERAGE", he said again, only this time much louder. He let out a loud cackle that sounded nearly deranged!
"Huh? What was that", Kaku said as he quickly sat up in his bed. He heard the strangest thing come from down the hall. Shortly after, he heard some footsteps moving quickly down the hallway
"Kaku! Get up! Someone's infiltrated the SkyDancer", Jabra shouted as he stopped by Kaku's room. He responded to the so quickly, he didn't even bother putting his shoes on. Then again, neither did anyone else. They all ran to where they heard the looney laugh come from. The very place they knew that Gurin and Raymond snuck off to in the middle of the night to meddle with the files. It was more or less a recent discovery. "W-where are they? Why's all these files on the ground?"
"Is anyone missing", Serenity asked.
"Almost everyone is accounted for. Where are Raymond and Gurin? Has anyone seen them", Kumadori asked.
"They're not in their rooms. I don't even think they are on this SHIP anymore. I don't feel their presence", Borya replied.
"That can't be right... did they fly off somewhere? They should have said something if they were going to...", Blueno began to say.
Lucci butted in after shaking his head. "No. I don't think they left on their own accord. Look there!" He pointed at something stuck into the wall of the file room. There was a piece of parchment stuck to the wall, courtesy of a strange looking dagger! He walked over towards it and easily removed it along with the note. A quick glance at it didn't seem to worry him too much...but then his expression turned into one of surprise. He quickly held it up for all to see.
Fukurou was the first to come and examine the note. "Your friends are here with us. You want them? Then come and get them! Come to Cannibal's ship; The Bloodbath! You wouldn't want to make us mad, now would you", the note said. Afterwards there was what looked like an alligator skull symbol at the bottom of the note. The symbol was black, but there were red paint lines running down from it, possibly signifying blood. "Thats a Jolly Roger! It's Cannibal's Jolly Roger! The smug bastards even gave us directions!"
"He finally came for US...and he attacked in the middle of the night! How cowardly", Lucci said.
"More or less tactical. I don't think it would have mattered when he attacked. But I can assume it was one of his crewmates who did the kidnapping and left the ransom note", Serenity replied. "If so, then the 'Bloodbath' must be close!
"Well then...whenever you're ready", Kalifa asked as she looked at Lucci expectantly. All of the passengers looked over at him seemingly waiting for him to give the signal...but also ready to go regardless of what he was going to say. Perhaps they still looked at him as some form of leader, but refused to leave anyone behind.
Lucci nodded and motioned Hattori towards the end of the room. "You stay here...this is going to be a difficult battle."
"I'm coming too", Spandam said. He began to think long and hard about the situation. Its not like he really hated any of them. Actually, he DIDNT hate any of them. He was actually feeling some form of...comradery? It was different when he was their boss. He felt like he didn't have to have any form of relationship with any of them, but...seeing them all ready to fight for something for the sake of someone other than the world government lit a fire in him. Perhaps it was concern?
Needless to say, this made many heads turn towards him. "You're kidding right? What do you plan on doing? Running away the second they glare at you", Blueno asked.
"You'd just be another person to have to look out for", Kumadori replied.
"But I thought you guys were coming to kill me anyways", he replied as he looked at the ground.
"It's as we said, its not much of a priority. It kind of went down to just wanting to beat the snot out of you. Why? Well, I can't say for sure, maybe it's because of some changes", Kalifa said. Right then and there she had a strange thought. "You know what? In a strange twisted way, we should probably be thanking you. Despite the massive events you put us through, it was because of that we met these people. They saved us from certain doom brought out by that Cannibal clod. In short...I'd say my life is much better ever since I met them."
"Yeah. And now Cannibal's went and messed with our crew. That's a death sentence!" Jabra said, as he grabbed Raymond's bag from the floor. "He'll need THIS too!"
"So these people are the reason you're not trying to kill me essentially. I guess I do sort of owe them then. Maybe! Look, maybe I can't do too much, but I still have Funkfreed. Surely, you'll get more use out of me than me just sitting here. I know it sounds weird, but I want to help!" His heart was fluttering, possibly from fear. Yet he felt a newfound determination!
"Hehe! If he wants to fight, I say let him. In a battle like this, we'll need all the allies we can get", Borya said.
Even Hattori came back over towards the group. Looks like he would be giving his all too. "You too huh? Very well then... everyone get ready! We're going to war", Lucci said as he took off his hat.
"They should have gotten the message by now. They should be on their way", a voice said.
"You took us away from our friends. I take it you're one of Cannibal's henchman", Gurin asked as she attempted to break free from the sea stone cuffs. To no avail...for they were solid lined.
"Indeed! He's one of my crewmates. Good job, Bonehead", another voice from the distance said. It was much deeper than the man who captured them.
"Well that's just rude", Raymond replied. HE was also wearing cuffs, but his were lined pretty well with Haki. Just like those cuffs that Hatchet put on him before. Not only that, but his glasses were gone.
"Nah not really. My nickname IS Bonehead! Gahahahaha", the crony said as he laughed that deranged chuckle again. This time he revealed his face again...only it was different this time. He looked...like a Hyena!
"A devil fruit I take it? A zoan one to be exact", Raymond asked.
"Yup! I ate the Hyaenidae-Hyaenidae fruit, model spotted! I can turn into a hyena whenever I want. But that's not all I can do... Gahahahah", he laughed again as his eyes flashed red.
Suddenly. Both Gurin and Raymond got a splitting headache. "That! That's what caught us off guard", Raymond replied. That's how you managed to capture us. That obnoxious laugh", Raymond shouted. He was unable to hold his head to alleviate the pain.
"Aw, kind a harsh don't you think?"
"It is kinda obnoxious. It even still gives me a headache...but what ya gonna do, it's his power", Cannibal said. This earned another chuckle from Bonehead. "Anyways surely you understand what position you're in?"
"Whats you gonna do? You gonna use us bait to get them here and make them rejoin the world government? It's not going to work! They don't plan on making any deals", Gurin said.
"Hold your tongue, green one!" He must have been referring to the green jacket. "They may not have the intention of making any deals, but neither do I. The time for that crap is done for. You're GOING to die! All of you are going to die. I don't need any of those wretches to come back."
"Then why did you bother kidnapping us", she asked.
"Because you wouldn't have been able to find us without some help. I could have just left you a note, but I figured reducing your numbers would make this so much easier...not that it was needed.
Raymond shook his head. "Cannibal you cocky bastard. You may think you have the upper hand, but you wont win! We're hell bent on bringing you and your crew down and it WILL happen!"
Gurin nodded. "Yeah! Their coming for us, and they won't be too happy about this. In fact, we're not too happy either. There's going to be a lot of trouble WHEN we get out of these cuffs."
"Geheheheh! Now who's the cocky ones? You really think any of you have a chance against any of us", Bonehead asked.
Raymond smiled and looked up. "Just wait and see!"
Just then, a snail transponder alarmed. It was hard to pinpoint where it was coming from, but they were able to tell that it was Cannibals due to him reaching for one of them. "This is Cannibal...whats going on, topsides?"
A female's voice over the snail rang through the room. "Cannibal! Bonehead, guess who's here!"
Even in the darkness they were able to see the smile across Cannibals face. "Good! Gather everyone to the deck! Bonehead, grab those two!"
"Ugh, you weren't lying Serenity! This ship is HUGE. How is it that nobody can find this damn thing", Borya asked.
"Who knows? Maybe it's enchanted or something. Either way I suggest we prepare ourselves! I can feel multiple people coming our way! Everyone stared up into the platform that hovered over the deck, and as sure as grass was green, the very presence she detected was right in front of them...and there were six of them, other than Gurin and Raymond whom were still held captive in front.
Cannibal seemed to stand in front of them all. "Welcome! I can see the deal we worked out just wasn't good enough for you was it, Rob Lucci? Even though we offered up those who meant nothing to you in exchange for the ones you wanted to save, you still decide to challenge my authority?"
"Be silent", Lucci snapped! "It's true I don't really know them as well as the ex-cipher pol...but...they seem to care deeply for these civilians. They wanted to come here and save them so I gladly agreed to assist them.
"Oh...even that weakling there", Cannibal motioned over towards Spandam, whom jumped at first but he didn't sway from his decision. Alright then...we'll do this YOUR way. He looked over at the two captive crewmates, and then at Bonehead. "Do it!"
"Oh no you don't", Blueno shouted. But before any of them could act, Raymond and Gurin were tossed down towards the deck. He even tossed down the key to the seastone cuffs. "Huh?"
Cannibal chuckled. "Surprised? It wouldn't be any fun if we just killed them right now. You see...I know you wont leave until you "beat" me. So that means you're stuck here on my ship. I'm wont be satisfied just killing you." His eyes flashed a yellow color that almost seemed to make the air turn cold. "We're going to put you through nightmares you wouldn't believe! We're going to hunt each and every one of you down! Then we're going to kill you and devour you! Think you got what it takes to survive? Alright crew, split up! Just like that, Cannibal and his five crewmates vanished into thin air. More than likely deep within the bowels of the ship.
"Tch! If they're going to hunt us then why did they run and hide", Jabra asked.
"You might want to consider it a head start. By which I mean one that they're giving us. They're going to wait until we get in the ship...then all hell's going to break loose", Kalifa said as she unlocked the handcuffs on the two.
"Gurin! Raymond! Are you two ok. Oh ho ho! I thought we had lost you forever", Kumadori said as he used his hair to hold both of them up in front of him. His tears were flowing like a waterfall.
"Eh...here. You might want these", Jabra said as he handed Raymond his glasses, and his bag of weaponry. Glad to see you two dopes are alright.
"Thanks for coming for us! But we're not nearly out of the woods yet! We're about the enter the fight of our lives...and we don't have a say in the matter", Raymond said. He tapped the hair bind that held him, prompting Kumadori to let him down.
"Its ok Kumadori, you can let me down now. We're going to go in there and we're going to beat all of them! Then we're going to go back to zero island and celebrate! I cant wait to get back to the theater and tell everyone about our adventures!
Lucci smiled and cracked his knuckles. It would seem that he was pretty excited about this situation. "Alright then Cannibal! Ready or not, here we come!"