"I can´t believe we are doing this" someone was chanting as the Franky Family and Galley-La company advanced towards Enies Lobby. Koumei frowned, seeing the smoke rising from the Tower of Justice. That wasn´t good, it was almost as if… that brat was threatening to set the world in fire. Did he fancied himself another Sinbad? Probably.
"What are you going to do when we reach Enies Lobby?" asked Paulie, looking at Koumei with concern. He heard about his older brother being a prisoner in that place and the redhead already helped them too much. "If you want, we can hold them down and…"
"I´m counting on it" the prince answered, frowning. This was the best opportunity he had to free Kouen and, while his own powers weren´t exactly meant for battle, his brother´s were a completely different history. "Do you think you can handle a few marines on your own, Paulie-san?"
"Of course! I will take all I can! And show them what my unique style can do!" the Ren smiled. He knew he will… at least as long as they didn´t face someone like a captain. He raised his fan and called for his djinn. It was time to get into action. Soon he felt a change in the environment… the flag of the world government was in flames. The Mugiwara should be fighting by now.
"Who can tell, that brat surely thinks himself another Fool of the Seven Seas" he smiled, because while Sinbad caused much damage, he also caused great good. He continued and soon found himself near Luffy, who was fighting with the barman.
"Yare, yare, another one?" Blueno commented, recognizing the newly arrival immediately. He knew this was going to be a problem, Koumei´s powers were like his own. He would have to take him down with his Rokushiki abilities… perhaps first he should knock the fan away from his hand. "Answer me something, did you save them of the fire?"
"What if I did?" he said.
"I see" the man kept his cold façade, just like before in the bar. Koumei raised his metal vessel. "One thing, you never trusted me despite dealing with me a lot of times like the other fools, why is that so?"
"Your face" the redhead got into battle stance. "You always show such coldness that is not natural, even when posing as a bartender. Someone who had dealt before with intelligence can easily pick up your behaviour as the one of a spy."
"I see" the man centred himself on the redhead. "I will work on my façade then. Making it… less… cold" the fan, he reminded himself. "It´s a pity that we are enemies. You would have made a very good asset for the world government."
"I have my own agenda" the Ren answered, ready to use djinn equipment if needed. It would be such a waste to used it on such a nonsense. "Don´t you remember my older brother? He is surely waiting for me."
"Then…"
"STOP!" Luffy got in the middle of them in that moment, surprising the prince and the government agent. "His fight is with me, you don´t have anything to do with this" he clenched his fists. "Go away and mind your own business!"
"Are you sure?" apparently he was, because in that moment he reassumed his encounter with Blueno. The bull like man answered with his rokushiki, but unfortunately he was surpassed by the pirate. Koumei smiled and put Dantalion down. "All yours then"
"Go away!"
"Aye, captain" he mockingly said before running inside Enies Lobby. By the look of things, yes, he was going to need to find Kouen fast unless he wanted the building to collapse on both of their heads thanks to the overly energetic captain and his band of misfits. Besides, if he could find Nico Robin and free her his allies will have another advantage.
"Just where do you think you are going?" someone said. He looked in front of him and saw a few men ridding dogs. Apparently, they were in their recess when the pirate crew attacked and now were rushing to their peloton´s help.
"Dogs? Really?" he raised an eyebrow. "It´s not that I have something against dogs, but they are not exactly the best of mounts. Why don´t you try some birds? I heard they are great horses. And especially for idiots that would likely fell from their horses."
"Look what we have here, guys" one of them commented. "We were going to help our comrades against those invaders, but apparently one of them managed to get inside" he advanced, as well as his dog. "What would commander Baskerville say? This is an incompetence! The guards outside should be punished!"
"No my problem" the prince raised his fan. This lot was all small fries, there was no need to use his djinn equipment, at least not yet. Perhaps in the future, if he needed to face their Lord commander or those CP9 idiots. "Where are the dungeons?"
"Dungeons? What are you talking about?" the man exposed his arm blades, crossing them to prepare his attacks. "Oh… are you searching for the cells?"
"And the armoury" the redhead continued. "Can you show me where they are?"
"In your dreams, intruder" the man and his friends made a formation. Their dog/horses growled, advancing towards him with their teeth bared. Koumei moved his fan, rejecting the attack from the special force. Their slashed ended up turned against their animals, who were rendered useless by the gashes on their chests. "What?"
"For working near an intelligence agency, you know nothing" commented the Ren, preparing again. His powers were not meant for battle and he didn´t want to waste his magoi in case he needed a quick escape. Dantalion was murmuring to her king too, saying that he needed to be careful. Better to keep an eye on his energy levels. "I will ask again, where are the armoury and the dungeons?"
"As if… we are going to tell you just because you killed our partners!" they tried to attack on their feet, moving quickly. They swung their blades, Koumei easily dodged them. He trained enough times with Kouen and his household to learn to evade multiple attacks without his own magic. "Yes! We are an elite group of defenders of this building! One of the World Government´s three main buildings!"
"Three main buildings?" he remembered reading something like that in one of the books Iceburg lend him. Impel Down, the great prison. Enies Lobby, the judicial Island. Marineford, the marines headquarters. The three strongholds the World Government had over Paradise.
"Yes! We will never let anyone take it, even more if it is a petty pirate!" he and his companions attacked again, bouncing in the walls. One of the idiots tried to stab him on the back, but was easily avoided. His attack was caught by the fan, ending up on his allies' chest. The man dropped dead immediately. "Bastard…"
"More attacking and less talking" Koumei waited. The two remaining dog riders did a desperate attack, but somehow it ended in their bodies. One of them dropped dead on the floor, while the talkative guy felt to the ground, a huge gap on his stomach. "Let´s try again, shall we?" he looked at him, lowering his head to his size. "Where are the dungeons and the armoury?"
"Fuck you"
"Wrong answer" Koumei got up and stepped on his hand, a technique he learned from Kouen. The man screamed, his bones breaking. "Hurts like hell, no? It can end any time you want, just tell me where those two places are. You don´t even have to die like your dog."
"Fuck you, you damn low life!"
"Wrong again" the prince stepped on the same hand, sighing. This man was stubborn, too much. Apparently the World Government did a good job forging the loyalties of their men. "Another try. Where is the armoury? And the cells, as you put it?"
"I will never…"
-Some time later-
"What the hell is happening out there?" Kouen was staring at the ceiling, trying to get up in his weak legs. His captivity was not the best, they didn´t even feed him every day. but he was a warrior, a general with many campaigns, so he decided to wait for the right time. And his instincts told him that the time arrived. Now, if only he could find his metal containers…
"Hello, En-nii" Koumei appeared in that moment, holding his precious djinns. He smiled, just as he expected. No little minion can defeat Koumei, no matter how strong did he thought himself to be. "Sorry for making you wait, I had to deal with a very stubborn dog up there."
"Tsk, should have searched for me yourself" the older Ren grabbed his things, putting them in their rightful places. He felt the djinns stir in their metal containers, ready to obey his command. He pulled his sword out. "Phenex" his injuries were quickly healed. Unfortunately, he felt his magoi deplete. "Dammit, I´m too tired to make myself of use. Healing should not take all my reserves."
"You have been a prisoner for months, what were you expecting?" the younger redhead said, helping him to stand. "Perhaps you should avoid full body djinn equipment for now"
"Perhaps" he parroted, clutching the sword. "It seems that a war is going on out there"
"In a way, it is" Koumei smiled, remembering fondly of their first days in the submission armies. "A full blown war between a crew of pirates, their allies and the government. Personally I prefer the pirates" he admitted, covering his face with the fan. "I guess you met the government agents that imprisoned you."
"I despised them and I think the feeling was mutual" the former crown prince lifted his sword, letting Astaroth transform it. "Well, I should repay their hospitality"
"As expected from Ani-ou" the younger answered. They walked outside, where the brawl still brewed. The Mugiwaras apparently were having a hard time, each of them fighting a member of the CP9. These ones were experts on Rokushiki and, despite only knowing them for a few days, the second prince was sure that they were the most powerful opponent they have yet faced. "Should we help them?"
"I have to say that they are making it better than I expect" Kouen said, looking at the smoke and rubbish that felt from the sky, product of Namie defeating Kalifa. "Anyway, we should help a little. Just to make sure everyone made it out alive."
"Well, I think there is anything to worry about" The two of them started to walk towards the exit. The fight between Rob Lucci and Luffy continued, but after seeing him defeating Blueno, Koumei had little doubt about who was going to win. Of course, Lucci was more adept at Rokushiki than the former bartender, but the young captain was not to be underestimated either. For now, they have other matter to attend to. "Should we clean the way to Water Seven for them? They are also our ride to where Judal is."
"Are you sure?" the older redhead asked him, not knowing if to believe him or not. Pirated were not the kind to give lift to anyone… well, at least Olba and his crew weren´t the kind to do anything for anyone who wasn´t a child.
"Of course" his brother answered, smiling behind the feathers of his metal vessel. "They are going exactly to the same place we are. The New World" he lowered his voice a bit. "Then… what do you think?"
"Surely, my dear brother" Kouen moved his sword, collapsing part of Enies Lobby´s constructions. This attracted some marines, who went to face the siblings. Both Rens got into fighting stance, running to their encounters. With a flick of Dantelion, the bullets out of the marine´s rifles impacted on them. And with Astaroth´s help, the small fries ended up as human torches. More came to their encounter, encouraged by the Buster Call and the Vice Admirals that said event would attract to their shores. Unfortunately for them, the captains fighting on firm soil were too worried about the Mugiwaras to take a second look at the escaping royals, something that they exploited.
"There is a train that could get us and our ride away from here, we should activate it while we can"
"Really?" Kouen dispatched yet another group of Marines. Another group appeared very soon, apparently recently arrived here to stop the Straw hats. "Then we should hurry. Let´s secure the trains before they reach it and destroy it. A route of escape it´s as important as a good battle plan for a commander. I taught you that."
"Yes, En-nii" the younger redhead, advancing towards the train. In that moment Sharinguru and Shu came into view. Apparently, they have seen them trying to get to the train to secure their escape and were not about to let them do anything from this side, specially since the attacking pirate crew was already winning. They were now going to the bridge of hesitation, to open the doors that weren´t supposed to open for free criminals.
"I was about to finish that guy Zoro when I noticed you two. Sorry, but you can´t get out of here" the man looked at the sword and fan. Those two had metal, wonderful. "Captain Shu will make sure that you are taken to justice."
"What he said" Sharinguru advances towards Kouen. The older redhead got into position, noticing the way the larger man´s arms spanned. He should have some sort of power, much like a fully assimilated household vessel, just that his appearance was fully human. The man by his side was too confident for his taste too, something that never meant good things for his opponents… or perhaps it did.
"I will rust you" Shu attacked the youngest, who deflected his attack, sending it to another place. Immediately he noticed something, especially in the metal part of the fallen structure. It was covered in rust, as if it spent days exposed to the water and elements. "So you have the power to control space" commented the marine. "It will be a little bit harder than expected, but I will destroy your weapon."
"My Dantalion? I don´t think so" he looked at his brother, that was in a very dangerous swordfight with his opponent. The spinning wheel seemed a dangerous thing to face with that kind of weapon, but Kouen was so concentrated that it was nearly impossible to imagine him defeated.
"No!" Shu suddenly said, watching an explosion in another part. Sharinguru was also affected by the issue. "Sharinguru! Go to stop them, I will deal with this two! They use metal weapons, I´m the ideal opponent! I will help as soon as I can!"
"You sure? They are strong" the other captain nodded, getting between the Ren siblings and his companion. This one left, leaving the rusting man to fend for himself. Koumei saw his opportunity, as well as Kouen. They couldn´t touch the man… but that doesn't mean that they couldn´t attack. Astaroth´s sword ignited on flames. That was something Shu wasn´t expecting. Shit.
"Do you do the honours?" the older redhead asked his brother, who was ready to fry the captain as soon as his younger brother put him in his direction.
"It will be a pleasure" and they attacked…
-The next time-
"Are you sure we should ride with them?" Kouen asked when faced with the new wanted posters of the entire crew. It was a wonder that they didn´t appear in the photos or gain a bounty on their heads, even with Shu´s escape from their clutches, but the voyage with the Strawhats just became a little bit more dangerous. "We are bound to be followed by bounty hunters and other nuisances…"
"I still think it´s our best chance" Koumei explained. "they are the only crew in this place that goes straight to the new world, which is where Judal is" he showed him a wanted poster of their adopted brother. The first prince was a little bit impressed. "Yes, this surprised me too."
"That Judal… he never changes" he shook his head. "We better hurry"
"I have to stop to talk to Iceburg first" the freckled one sighed. "I still have a debt with him and should at least talk to him about it before leaving. Perhaps he will find a way for me to pay it in a hassle or to pay later."
"You were always the responsible kind, no?" he rises again. It has been a few days since the incident on Ennies Loby and, while the pirate crew was taking long to heal themselves, they were completely fine by the end of the day thanks to Phenex. Both princes found Iceburg in the dock, giving the final touches to the new ship that belonged to the wannabe king of pirates. He seemed surprised to see them there, specially to ask him that question. When Koumei asked him about his debt, the mayor laughed and told him that it was okay, that the help he gave them was more than enough, as for him the lives of his friends mattered more than money.
"You saved Paulie and the others, consider your debt paid… even if I will be devastated to lose such a valuable worker" the blue haired man smiled. "I don´t know what are your motives to start this journey, but… you better go with them. The marines should be looking for you two, even if you don´t have a wanted poster." He signalled. "You better ask him now"
"That´s the idea" the younger, a better politician, leaded the way to the ship. "Hey! Do you remember me?" he caught the attention of the childish captain while he was looking for Ussop, delaying his departure. "We are too escaping from…"
"Hey, fan man!"
"Fan man?" asked the second prince, while his brother tried not to burst into laughter and keep his regal composure. The former Galley-La finances manager tried to argue that nickname, but Luffy was reluctant to change it. Then he called the oldest Ren´s beard funny and laugher died. His brother pretended him from twisting his neck.
"Let me go, Mei, I…" the Mugiwara suddenly remembered something and went to get Frankie. The princes both waited for him to get back, one for a talking to and the other form an attempted murder. Suddenly, Kouen´s hand slapped in front of his brother´s eyes, covering them. Apparently he considered Frankie´s appearance too disturbing for him.
"En-nii, I want to see"
"Not in the world" he answered, closing his own eyes. They both cringed when Nico Robin threatened to crush the cyborg´s jewels and sighed in relief when he finally recovered his speedo. They were about to talk to the captain again when the Marines arrived. It was time to set sail and one of the crew was still missing. Luffy insisted in waiting, despite common sense. Kouen was about to berate him for being an idiot like… oh, there he was. With the crew finally reunited, the Strawhats were ready to escape form their captain´s mad grandfather.
"Grab something! This is going to be a suuuuuuper trip!" Frankie signalled, preparing to show his new creation. The Rens did as told, as well as the rest of the crew. Garp then showed them his ultimate weapon, a cannonball so giant that it seemed impossible for a person to lift.
"Just how strong this old man is?!" screamed Kouen when he saw the thing getting off the floor. He didn´t want to be hit by that, especially on a ship. He was about to go full djinn equipment mode just to survive, but the ship somehow propelled itself towards the sky. He saw the cannonball falling on the spot previously occupied by the Thousand Sunny as they disappeared in the sky. He looked back, the adventure has begun.
Hello! Hope you liked this chapter. Kouen and Koumei were trapped in the middle of the buster call, but they obviously knew their way out. Well, guess who are we meeting next? Review!
