"What? Huh?" Shanks just looked very confused about the circumstances presented to him and not super thrilled about having a giant key in his hand. He also wasn't sure what Toshiro was talking about, a Keyblade Wielder.
"Wow, that's cool!" Luffy exclaimed, beaming. "Now you can do cool tricks like Snowy!" The rubber man jumped in front of a startled Toshiro. "Can I get one? How do I get one?"
"I… don't know. I'm not even sure how he got one." Toshiro answered honestly, hands up in surrender.
"What about yours?" Franky asked, trying to be a bit more serious than his Captain.
Holding his hand out, Frozen Heavens still came willingly to his hand. So the Keyblade wasn't transferred. Somehow Shanks had awakened his very own.
"The Keyblade Inheritance Ceremony." Hyorinmaru hopped onto his master's shoulder with a rumble.
"Keyblade Inheritance Ceremony?" Chopper repeated the words aloud as a question so the others could understand.
"What's that?" Nami asked.
Toshiro looked to his dragon, as Hyorinmaru seemed to be the only one who knew something, having access to more memories than his master.
"A Keyblade may be passed on to a successor of strong heart and will, chosen by a Keyblade Master." The dragon explained, tail swishing slowly back and forth.
"I don't remember any ceremonies or masters." Shanks said with a frown after Chopper translated.
"I'm also not a Keyblade Master." Toshiro added on, skeptical.
"It would seem this inheritance can be passed on accidently if the new bearer has a strong heart and will. The Keyblade did react, though not even I had guessed it was passing on a successor."
"Oh! When it glowed at me!" The red-head exclaimed, recalling the weapon's odd behavior the night before.
"So what good is a giant key?" A short portly man, Lucky Roo, questioned the foreign pair.
"It's meant for fighting against the Heartless and other such creatures, but the powers of this world can do that just fine." Toshiro answered. "So really it's only advantage over swords and Haki is it can unlock any lock and allows passage to other worlds."
"Any lock, huh?" This at least did intrigue the powerful Pirate Emperor, looking over his new 'inheritance' once more. Compared to the intricately detailed Frozen Heavens, the Kingdom Key didn't look very impressive. To most it might as well be a joke. But if it really could act like a universal skeleton key, that was pretty worthwhile, especially if it couldn't be stolen from him.
Curious about something, Toshiro held his hand out.
"May I?" He asked, his dragon carefully climbing down onto his outstretched arm.
"Don't you have your own?" The one-armed man questioned.
"I just need to touch it… there's something I want to see if I can still do."
Curious, Shanks held one end towards the offered hand. From what he remembered, when Demyx had held onto a Keyblade, it did not copy his Soul Reaper powers as it had with the other Reapers. If so, Toshiro figured that as a Nobody himself now it wouldn't work for him either, but he also had something Demyx didn't; his other half. If both were present… would the Keyblade still copy his spiritual powers? Or would it reject them like it had with Demyx, since he wasn't whole?
He put his hand to the Keyblade, Hyorinmaru reaching his head down and putting his nose to it. It wasn't until the dragon joined in that the Keyblade began to glow, a gray light flowing from the pair and into the weapon, the others watching with a gasp.
"So it does work…" Toshiro thought aloud. "When I was myself, as a Soul Reaper, the Keyblades were able to copy my powers whenever I touched them." He pulled his hand away, the Kingdom Key morphing into an exact replica of Frozen Heavens. "By absorbing my Spirit Energy it could take on my abilities for a short time. I thought… as a Nobody, it wouldn't work anymore. But with Hyorinmaru here as well it does."
"Sounds hopeful that your condition can be reversed." Robin spoke positively, hoping that's what he was getting at. Shanks meanwhile was admiring the dragon shaped Keyblade, wondering how short was a 'short time' to keep this form.
It was indeed a good sign for Toshiro that having Hyorinmaru next to him was vital to returning to normal, that together they still had hope. But it also made him worry for Demyx… the former Soul Reaper's zanpaktou spirit had been destroyed upon becoming a Heartless and refusing to be loyal to Xemnas, who had her obliterated. He didn't have his other half anymore, just memories of his former abilities with her. Could he still be saved? He didn't seem to mind being a Nobody as much, but he had also seemed excited at the possibility of returning to normal.
"Ah…" Shanks's disappointed sigh brought him from his thoughts in time to see the other's Keyblade return to normal.
"Sorry, it's only a minute of transformation for every second I… we… touch it." Toshiro explained to the miffed pirate.
"Ah, well…" Shrugging, the man stood. "Anything else it can do?"
"I wish I had the time or knowledge to help… but I've only had mine for barely over a month myself. It does, unfortunately, make you a bigger target for the Heartless. They seek out the Keyblades to destroy them and their wielders."
"Sounds fun." As he was starting to expect at this point, the pirate didn't seem at all daunted about being hunted by the dark creatures.
While Toshiro was drilled by the Red Hair Pirates for whatever he COULD offer them about the weapon, all the Straw Hats except Chopper said their goodbyes and started heading back to the Sunny, Bepo having spoken up that the Log Pose was set and leaving with his fellow Heart Pirates as well, save for Dextra who let Chopper sit on her shoulders while they waited for Toshiro.
"Do you think anyone in our two crews can get a Keyblade?" Chopper asked his current perch.
"Maybe… I'm sure he'll get asked for it a bunch." Dextra responded quietly. "Doesn't seem like he knows how to give it to people though, Shanks just somehow was a good candidate for it."
"Yeah, I suppose Hyorinmaru would know more about it, Toshiro looked kind of lost."
After a pat on the head from Shanks to thank him for his time, Toshiro was finally free of questions and hurried over to them.
"Have a good time sailing, better get moving now before the Log Poses reset." The Emperor waved them off with a grin, the Keyblade vanished for now.
Nodding back at the man, they headed outside of the building and back towards the docks. Chopper repeated his question about any of them getting a Keyblade to the Nobody and Heartless pair.
"I don't really know the requirements to be a bearer, and I don't know the actual ceremony." Toshiro sighed, already knowing he was going to need to repeat such an answer a lot. "Hyorinmaru says having a Keyblade wasn't always so rare, but it still takes a special kind of person to be chosen by one, and after the Keyblade War there wasn't very many candidates left to pass them on."
"Whoa, there was a war?" The reindeer gaped.
As Toshiro explained in brief about how the worlds used to be just one, and the Keyblade War resulted in the darkness destroying it and splitting it into all the worlds there were now – and how that might explain why connections to his past life were here when he was born elsewhere – a stranger began to approach from behind. He bore a black cloak, the same as what Toshiro had first arrived in, and it hid him briefly from the two perceptive children.
When they did notice, Dextra turned back to look at him with a narrowed, suspicious gaze while Toshiro tensed up and turned around quickly with a scowl that said he was ready to fight.
"There is no need for the silent threats." The young voice was unfamiliar to Toshiro… but the man's Spirit Energy was not. "I am only here for a conversation."
"Last time we had a conversation you turned me into THIS." Toshiro spat back, his dragon snarling in rage from his shoulder. Dextra gasped at his comment, understanding who was standing across from them now.
"Indeed I did, but that is a me in a later time, the me now has no quarrel with you." The man replied with a chuckle that suggested he knew something more than what he gave them.
"What are you talking about?"
The figure reached up and pulled away the hood. The dark skin and bright silver hair was the same as always, sinister amber eyes still holding an expression of being superior to them, knowing more. Arrogance and malice. Toshiro scowled at this, but was also confused. This was definitely one of Xehanort's two selves… but he didn't look quite like either the Heartless Ansem or the Nobody Xemnas. He seemed… younger, and his now revealed aura felt… whole.
"I am still Xehanort, as you surmised, but I am him of a time long ago. I would explain more, but it is difficult for me to continue existing outside the sleeping realms." The young Xehanort lifted an arm up, observing it curiously as his image became somewhat transparent for a brief moment.
"How… are you suggesting time travel? And sleeping realms, what even are those?" Only further confused, Toshiro didn't know if he should be rid of the man while he could or learn more.
"Time travel… not quite. Memories can be quite powerful, is all, more so in dreams." With a knowing sneer, Xehanort held his arms out as he continued. Dextra bristled, feathers showing, not appreciating the hidden threat. "You will understand in time. However, in this current time, I am merely here to explain the position you are in."
Concerned that he was being ambushed, Toshiro brought his zanpaktou into his hand.
"I would save your strength for later, Nobody of Hitsugaya, for you have a much greater enemy waiting to see you." Xehanort chuckled menacingly. "I understand you are attempting to 'fix' your situation… he will ensure you do not get that far. We would much rather you be compliant to our wishes, and his ability will be of GREAT use for that."
"Go to Hell." The chill in the air was sharp enough even Chopper shivered.
The young Xehanort just laughed wickedly.
"Give those regards to Aizen Sosuke for me, would you?" He sneered.
A dark portal rose up around him, taking him away to a place none of them could possibly know a mere second before Toshiro's blade swung through the air where the other's head had been.
Just then, Shanks and Ben arrived, having hurried over after catching onto hostility in the air. They had just barely seen the silver-haired stranger vanish into the darkness, but they could clearly see the panic and hatred on Toshiro's face, the way he gripped his sword tighter than he should have been.
"What just happened here? Who was that?" Shanks demanded, somewhat annoyed the stranger had managed to just disappear.
"More bad people…" Dextra frowned, worried. Toshiro's hands were shaking. The name that was mentioned, Aizen… she only knew the basic points of the damage he had caused, but if what this Xehanort figure had stated was true, he was about to cause more.
There was a shout, the young girl hearing her name, and those gathered except for Toshiro turned to look. Law, having heard from Bepo and Daniel what had transpired on the island, had come to get the child still remaining on the island. Even knowing Red Hair Shanks was friendly with Luffy, the surgeon was not comfortable with the idea of being on the same island as an Emperor.
"Papa, it's fine." Dextra assured him as the tall pirate came to a stop next to her, shooting a wary glare at the one-armed pirate across from him.
"Of course it is, I wouldn't hurt a kid if I didn't have to." Shanks added on with a frown, naturally not very happy about the look he was getting, but coming to realize it was just an overprotective father look. "Besides, you missed the actual bad guy."
"What?" Law was of course confused by this.
"Xehanort." Toshiro stated simply, finally managing to calm down. Even as a Nobody, the shock of what he had heard had brought up strong emotions, ones that took him a moment longer to quell. "And if what he said is to be believed… Aizen."
"Not sure who either person is but the first one looked like bad news." Shanks said with a grumble while Law looked shocked. "If he shows up here again he'll regret it."
"Doubtful he would… it's me he wants."
"This Aizen guy too?"
"Yes."
"What's he look like? I'll keep an eye out for him." Shanks gave a reassuring grin, though it turned into a frown at Toshiro's next words.
"I have no doubt you're strong… but avoid Aizen at all costs. He's not just strong, he's immortal."
"Immortal?" Law questioned, this being the first time he heard such a thing. He knew Aizen was powerful and dangerous, but Toshiro had never explicitly stated immortal. No wonder he feared the man, if he really was impossible to kill.
"It's difficult to explain it all in brief… but yes. If he really did escape…" Fists clenching, Toshiro turned away with a scowl and started walking quickly back to the docks.
"Hey, wait up!" Dextra hurried after him, Chopper still quiet and scared on her shoulders. Law quickly followed, leaving a confused Shanks and Ben behind.
The red-head turned to his first mate.
"Seems like something big is about to go down… it'd be a shame to miss it."
Understanding, Ben nodded and hurried back to his crew to tell them they should get ready to leave.
As the Sunny and submarine came back in view, Dextra caught up to Toshiro's side and managed to get him to stop. A few members of both crews saw them and returned to land, curious about what was going on and why the trio approaching looked so upset.
"Toshiro, are you okay?" The eagle girl asked him now that she had his attention. He refused to look up from the ground, however, his dragon grumbling on his shoulders with ruffled scales, no doubt having an internal conversation with his partner that neither was happy about.
"No… I need to leave."
"Leave? Why?" Usopp had arrived with a few others just in time to hear this.
"Yeah, we finally were having some fun." Shachi added on, Penguin nodding beside him.
"Is Aizen really that bad?" Chopper asked in a quiet voice.
The others were surprised by the name, wondering what had happened more than ever, whereas Toshiro remained tense and silent.
'You know this is what they want you to do, isolating yourself like this.' Hyorinmaru warned him. 'I stand by the decision I always have; do NOT do this by yourself, it only brings you pain.'
'But how do I justify what will inevitably happen? I will only get them killed…' Toshiro argued internally, ignoring the questions being thrown at him about what happened and Aizen being brought up, Dextra briefly telling them about the encounter with Xehanort.
'Having so little faith in yourself and your friends is what will kill them.' Hyorinmaru snapped and left it at that, his partner barely hiding his flinch at the words.
"Immortal or not, surely we can hold him off." Law stepped in front of the smaller figure to stand with the others while they waited for more information from him.
"Immortal?" Sanji looked at the doctor skeptically.
Sighing heavily, Toshiro caved in to the increasing intensity of the stares. They had trusted him this far… the least he could do was explain why he couldn't stay.
"Aizen Sosuke got his hands on a particular item known as the Hogyoku." He explained, the others listening closely. "He was able to fuse himself to this powerful item, and in turn became immortal. There was a Soul Reaper whose zanpaktou held a fatal poison, and he was able to get close enough to use it on Aizen, completely disintegrating him… except it was too late, and after reforming, Aizen slaughtered him. That alone is proof enough he can no longer be killed."
"Yikes…" Usopp shuddered.
"But that alone isn't why I should leave… it's his power."
After sharing glances with one another, they waited for an explanation. Toshiro finally looked up, a solemn expression on his face.
"Complete Hypnosis." He stated. "By witnessing the activation of his zanpaktou's Shikai, one is now completely under his control. He can make them believe any scenario he wants. Sound, sight, touch, all of it he can manipulate to such a finite degree the person doesn't even know that what they see is a false reality. All of you are safe from it," this seemed to relieve some tension in their bodies as he said this, "he no longer has his zanpaktou after abandoning it upon gaining the Hogyoku's power… but I'm still trapped by it. He could make me attack all of you and I would never know I had the wrong target."
"We'll just snap you out of it." Penguin countered confidently.
"It's not at all that easy." Toshiro argued with a shake of his head. "You don't understand; my entire perception of reality will be changed. THIS is how he fooled the entire squads of powerful, elite Soul Reapers. We thought we had him, only to be completely fooled, and one of our own almost killed… I never knew the person I cared about most was in any danger until I saw her impaled on my own blade."
There were a few gasps at his last words, Shachi paling as he remembered the quip he had made weeks back that had almost gotten him impaled on ice. Aizen had done more than steal his girl… he made Toshiro almost murder her. The Nobody continued on with a slightly shaky voice, clearly not comfortable saying all this, but knowing it needed to be said, to make them understand what they were up against.
"After that, he took out each Captain in one hit each, before we ever had a chance to figure out what was real."
"The scar… the one that should have taken your arm…" Law was looking a little spooked now as well, remembering the vicious wound he had seen on the figure before. That was one strike?
"I'm lucky to still have one." Was all the small figure said to agree with the statement. "That, and my life."
"He really was just playing with all of you…" Jimbei held sympathy for the child, knowing this was all difficult for him to say.
"Do you understand now?" Toshiro's tone became firm, getting past the explanation and back to his original point. "If he really has escaped… if he really is coming after me… I can't stay here."
"I've almost found the solution to controlling the form of the Heartless, you're going to bail out on this now?"
"I appreciate all the help so far but I can't risk Aizen using me to bring it all to a stop."
"You don't really think we're that weak, do you?" Zoro finally spoke up from the back. He hadn't been too interested in the conversation, but he definitely looked rather irritated at Toshiro's suggestions.
Scowling at their stubbornness, Toshiro tried once more to clarify his situation.
"It's not about being weak or strong, he can't be killed and I will lose any sense of what's real. I'm sure you can handle yourselves just fine but… I don't want to risk the events of last time again. His Spiritual Pressure alone is strong enough to vaporize the average human now that he has the Hogyoku, and everything I told you happened BEFORE he became fully immortal and gained that power."
"I'm going to repeat myself… do you think we're that weak?" Zoro growled.
"I AM!" Toshiro snapped, catching the swordsman off guard. The panic was back, Dextra's eyes glancing at the ice charm just in case. He was upset, but not unstable.
There was silence for a brief moment after the shout, everyone surprised. Hyorinmaru gave a low rumble to try and comfort his partner while he stood there shaking, whether from anger or fear they weren't sure.
"No matter what I do… no matter how hard I try… I am ALWAYS a step behind." The shaking in his body was in his voice now as well, making them uncomfortable. This was unlike him, teal eyes usually determined and stoic, not pleading with them as they were now. "I am a literal Nobody now… I've been led down a path I can't see, thinking I was making my own choices, and anyone who tries to help me escape is killed, sometimes by my own hand…"
Hyorinmaru suddenly bristled, looking at his master with a fierce expression. Chopper, picking up on this, gasped loudly.
"You're not planning to-"
He was cut off as Robin stepped forward, having joined them with a few of the others at this last moment, concerned by Toshiro's shout. She stopped just in front of the Ice Nobody, he looking back up at her with a suspicious look, posture tense. Her expression was stern, and after their conversation the night before he felt guilty betraying them like this. Then, she sighed, kneeling down in front of him and softening her expression.
"I understand why you're thinking the way you are." She spoke with the calm understanding of empathy between adults in the same hell. "I tried to do the same thing once. All I can tell you is that it isn't the answer."
Toshiro turned away, remaining silent on the topic. He did understand what she meant… but as trouble only continued to come his way, he truly felt the only way to stop them… was to remove himself from the equation.
Snarling, Hyorinmaru left his shoulder, jumping over to a startled Law instead.
'I will not follow such a fruitless mission.' The Heartless hissed and bared his teeth. Toshiro couldn't even look at him. 'My master is not suicidal, he is strong and determined, a savior of souls. If you truly wish to descend into darkness, I WILL NOT JOIN YOU.'
The rejection from his dragon hurt him the most.
Early update cause i'm going to be gone over the break, so unless I can find time between work and family to post don't expect anything until next Monday. Very sorry for the tense cliffhanger, I promise the Straw Hats will get it fixed, but Toshiro is very traditional and very stressed which is why he has this mindset, that and he's being pushed to those extremes unwillingly by the darkness. He'll be okay though.