Unseen, Unheard

Chapter 3: An Intriguing Mystery

Robin's Perspective

What Nami said intrigues me. This whole ordeal sparks the intellectual side of me. There is so much to learn from this experience; an adventure indeed. Unraveling a tightly woven mystery in the midst of its greatest crime will leave a mark in the history of their people, whether it is the townsfolk or the people we will directly be up against. It was Sanji-san's job to start the reaction. Zoro-san was to escort him back and Chopper-san was to save him. Nami-chan was to discover the article. Now it is my turn to uncover the link between the group dubbed the Numbers and this island. The fact that it is the Number Isles is an obvious assumption. However, I feel like there's more to that story than what meets the eye.

This is a riveting mystery.

The book I read upon our arrival didn't hint to anything out of the ordinary. That is something they would keep out of print though. From the people's attitudes, they all seem to understand the hidden meaning behind the unrevealed group. I only say group because the old man classified them as a 'they'. They must have impressive skills, having taken down one of our Monster Trio. Assassins maybe? Highly possible. Their intentions seem to point to attempted assassination. From the newspaper, this is also revealed when most of their victims are stated to be dead. This was defiantly no accident. It all leads up to intentional murder. So what would that make the reason? Not robbery. If that were the case, they would have removed his clothes before slicing him. They are the finest quality of silk I believe. Would have gone for a high price. Nami stated she should have brought one of his old shirts along to sell. She then complained how that could've maybe halved the price. So no, it's not robbery. I hardly know anyone who would want to seek revenge on Sanji; the only one who comes to mind would be Duval for such a ridiculous and worthless intention. That marks off revenge.

Looking at the little notes I had scribbled on a pad, I fold my legs so I'm sitting crisscross, gazing at the window as I allow my open mind to wander. Something inside me recalls the memories of Baroque Works. Was it simply a job? I jot that down. Highly probable. It cannot be eliminated yet. I notice a few rays of sunlight peeking over the horizon. Dawn is approaching soon. I couldn't sleep. Not with so many thoughts swirling in my mind. I'm eager to solve this mystery and discover the truth. It would make a good book after all.

I believe it to be ironic, what Sanji said before his incident; the bad omen. He had been right and hadn't actually understood it. I assume he even thought himself to be delusional and crazy. You shouldn't distrust your gut feeling. It's there for a reason.

Snatching up my notepad and pencil, I slip my shoes on and head outside. The air is chilled from the morning rain that collects in puddles on the deck. It's no longer raining but the clouds still linger, suggesting they will begin another round soon. The damp atmosphere provides a few coughs as my lungs grow accustom. No other crewmate has dared to venture out. They are probably still asleep. A detective story with only a single person working the case? I chuckle. I mustn't think about the ending of all those stories.

Flipping the notebook close, I push it into my pocket for later inspection. Besides, I might come up with something on my walk to town. I would hate to forget it before I get back. Climbing off the ship, I start the trip to my first destination; the townsfolk. Few people will be up but there's a least likely chance we will be overheard. I look around, searching for various signs. The buildings even the small shops all have tall slopes roofs. Someone could hide on the other side and no one would ever know. With the islands vast supply of medicine and sedatives, they could easily be obtained to weaken the strongest of adversaries. The cloak of night is an excellent concealer. If the person wore a cape, or even just a hood, there shape would be distorted and unrecognizable. That is under the assumption that the attack occurred at night. Now assuming it happened in the light, there face would need to be obscured somehow. Unless of course he hit Sanji's head so hard it wiped his memory clean. It's too risky to plan an attack in the daylight hours. Many people could stumble in on the act in progress and become witnesses. Ah, this is complicated. An excellent puzzle to occupy my mind. If only Chopper-san was fully awake, I could get the full medical report to know the extent of Sanji-san's injuries. I have to start somewhere.

I decide to start with the Number's Inn.

The glowing lamplight in the tavern is nearly extinguished by the mass of drunken bodies stumbling about. They are not affected at the least by the recent attack that happened. The blood stains are still present on the floor, but the customers don't seem to mind. I walk over to the bar that seems relatively empty. If I hadn't known better, I would have guessed this was a bar, not an inn. Appearances are deceitful. Nothing but a mere illusion. I sit down on a stool, crossing my legs as I am approached by the bartender.

"Whadda want." He grunts, polishing a glass in his hand.

"A few answers if you don't mind," He looks me straight in the eye but doesn't tell me no, "My nakama was hurt in this bar yesterday."

The bar suddenly hushes, having heard my attempt at a friendly conversation. They looked scared almost like the people who had feared my powers at such a young age. Groups of them, despite their drunkenness, exit in quick secession until the room is empty. The bartender sighs, going to retrieve the abandoned glasses and bottles.

"I apologize. I didn't know it was a taboo subject."

"You and the rest of them pirates that come to this island." He mummers.

The bartender looks only in his thirties at the most but his hair is already greying and his face is strained with grief. The dullness in his eyes, the slouch in his walk, the shrunken of his frame morph his body into something much older than he actually is.

"I'm sorry to ask but did something tragic happen?" He glances at me, showing a slight flicker of emotion within the sapphire orbs.

"Aye." He wipes his hands on his apron, coming to sit by me.

"I'm sorry for your lose."

"There are a lot of complicated things on this island that you don't know about. I suggest you load up and leave."

"I'm afraid we can't"

"Why is that?" He questions.

"Our captain vowed to get back at them for hurting our cook. Until this matter is dealt with, I'm afraid we cannot leave." I explain.

He rests his arms against the bar top, his form slouching even further as he stares at his clasped hands.

"This island's a mess," He states slowly, "So many things that have gone wrong. And we have grown immune to it. Used to when it happened, it caused great misery. Now we can continue partying like it never happened."

"What do you mean by 'it'?" I ask quietly.

He sighs, almost in a defeated way. This man has suffered great amounts of pain that much is obvious. But he is a man of a wise mouth, having experienced those things. He might be able to help me establish a link within this tangled web of information. His tired eyes examine me as though as I'm an open book, considering whether to answer me or not. He decides against it.

"You are Nico Robin aren't you?"

I smile, "Am I really that famous?"

He chuckles, "Afraid so."

There's a pause again as the atmosphere shifts away from such an uplifting conversation. Death hangs over this man heavily like a dense fog. What exactly is going on on this peculiar island? Intriguing indeed.

I tug a lose thread absentmindedly. Hm… I look around for a topic of conversation.

"So you're married?" I notice the silver band around his left ring finger. It had a single cyan jewel protruding from the surface.

"Was..." He mummers.

"Excuse me?"

"I was married. My wife is… no longer alive."

"I'm truly sorry."

"I think its best," He readjusts the ring uncomfortably, "If you don't go poking around."

"I'm curious. These people have hurt my nakama."

"They have ruined a lot of people's lives. Yours is no different."

"Like with your wife." I had struck a nerve like I thought I would.

His stature grows ridged with the uncovered feelings and his fists clench handfuls of his apron. He grits his teeth, prepared to order me out of his place of work.

"I apologize. I'm just trying to collect as much information as possible." He glares, not accepting my apology.

"What would it mean if a giant thirteen in roman numerals is slashed into a wall?" I persist none the less.

"Got some paper?" I retrieve the notebook from my pocket.

He takes it, yanking a blank page out and hands it back. He removes a pencil from his apron and begins writing away, scratching at the paper slowly. I dully note he is left handed. He writes the numbers 1 through 17 in roman numerals. Highlighting the numbers with an underline, he motions to them as a whole.

"These are the Chromozone Numbers." He states.

"Chromozone?"

"Just a name. After their first leader," He jabs the number XIII, "This is their leader now. Thirteen. They refer to one another by their allotted number. They are paid to do missions that they will carry out no matter what."

"Like assassination?" I ask, interrupting his train of thought.

"Yes. They eagerly accept those. That's why he was after your cook. Someone wanted him dead."

Someone wanted Sanji-san dead? So it is related to revenge. The people carrying out were simply doing a job. There are two different forces involved in this predicament. Interesting.

"Do you know anymore that could help me?" I question softly.

I've asked enough of this man already. It's a strenuous process, interrogating. Especially if the other person suffers as a result.

"I don't. However, I know someone who does. You can talk to one of the members." He answers.

That would be a useful asset. I wouldn't want to contact them directly, vulnerably without another member of the crew.

"I'll have to consider it." I stand, "Thank you for the assistance Mr…"

"Aragon. Mr. Aragon."

I nod my head, leaving the inn before I change my mind. First order of business, I need to alert the others. We'll arrange a meeting with this member and learn more. I'm glad I walked in there. It was an excellent hunch. Now we know for a fact that the second attacker, if there was two different people initially involved, is a leader of this 'Chromozone Numbers'. You know, that could explain the giant C placed so oddly in the landscape. I need to get a direct report from Chopper-san first and for most. I have a few theories floating around that I would like to be untrue. Nothing can be eliminated though without the medical report. This is an excellent start. Very impressive for my first detective case, no?

I giggle quietly to myself. I can be my own greatest entertainment. It helped me survive through the intensity at Baroque Works. I have experience with the profession of assassination. I know it's an immoral and low thing to do. These Numbers do not have a good enough reason to participate in unreasonable actions. It unacceptable to say the least. They will be reprimanded soon enough. All in good time I'm afraid. Lucky for me, Luffy-san will want to deal with this quickly. I might get to indulge in the forcible trauma to their necks, resulting in a break. I sure hope Zoro-san doesn't make a mess. His blades could get bloody indeed.

Confidently striding to the Thousand Sunny, I allow my devil fruit to lift me onto the deck. The hands pop in a whirlwind of petals. The door to the kitchen is left wide open, just waiting for someone to enter. I satisfy this want, entering the kitchen in search of someone I only assumed was here.

I am right.

Chopper-san is scurrying around, transitioning bandages from one surface to the next. He is in the zone, not relinquishing even the slightest ounce of fear. Sanji is still out cold. I don't expect him to wake up any time soon. All the books suggested that not only pain and injury could prevent consciousness; trauma could be a piece of that as well. There's no way to try to mend that if he is out like a light. Ah well. I'm sure he will pull through.

"Chopper-san." I speak quietly, scaring the doctor from his zone.

He squeaks, dropping his supplies in a hurry. He dives for the island, trying to hide behind it before he realizes who it is. I giggle softly, finding amusement in it like I had during Nami-chan's little incident.

"Robin you scared me!" He squeals, surfacing from the darkness of the kitchen.

I walk over to Sanji-san's body, inspecting the pale skin clothed in bandages. The dark bruise is obvious; a purple bruise that highlights his right side. His once powerful legs are reduced to two severed halves binded together by nothing more than splints. The first assassin is a fan of brutal abuse, while the second (still considering there is two) was ready to finish the job immediately. This does imply that there was two, considering that there fighting types are two different categories. The bruise suggests the assailant swung from the left, making it highly likely they are left handed. They purple center that is surrounded by the fading color points to the fact that something blunt could have been involved like a ring. This is only an assumption though. Until there is a formal report, I cannot take my theories seriously quite yet. The mystery has to be drawn out. That makes for a most heart-jerking book. Hm.

"What can I do for you Robin?" Chopper-san hops back to Sanji-san's side, checking his pulse as he continues his examination.

"I was wondering Chopper-san if you noticed any other abnormalities or suspicious wounds?" I see a spark of something ignite in his eyes. Maybe realization? Or he hadn't considered doing that. His face flushes in embarrassment, confirming the latter statement to be true. That's all right. I can wait for it.

"I'm sorry Robin." He apologizes, flustered.

"It's quite alright. I was simply wondering. Sorry for disturbing you." I decide to not bother the busy doctor anymore. I proceed to go, leaving the ailing Sanji and the stressed Chopper. My next objective is to inform the others of the offered proposal.

It was a probable guess that the boys are lounging in there room, munching away on snacks that had been preserved before Sanji-san's incident. I was pleased to find I was indeed correct. Usopp-san is cowering under the covers, pretending like he was asleep. Zoro-san is having a drinking contest with Brook-san, consuming tankard after tankard despite the fact that the liquid is cascades down his bones. Luffy-san and Franky-san are cheering them on, chanting away without a care in the world. Zoro-san notices me first. He finishes off the round before slamming the tankard onto the floor. Wiping the left over essence from his face, he locks eyes with me. This made the others notice as well and stop there playful games. I assume my serious aura is the reason behind this.

"I have been offered a proposition," Luffy-san's face hardens, "I have learned a few things about what is going on. However, a man has offered to set me up with an actual meeting with a man apart of it all. I have yet to accept it or deny it. I figured it would be safe to bet he won't cooperate. Maybe we can bring him back here and," My lips twitch into a smirk, "Torture of information."

"Eep Robin!" Usopp-san squeaks, no longer faking his slumber. He stumbles out of bed, tripping himself by the tangled blankets.

"Let's take it then." Zoro-san immediately says.

"I want to be present. As a captain and as the person who will kick there ass for hurting Sanji." Luffy-san speaks slowly, a deadly atmosphere present around him.

"I also suggest someone is on guard duty," I add, "If they find out Sanji-san is alive, they will not be happy."

"Yosh!" Our captain agrees, "I want Franky and Usopp on guard duty."

"Super bro!" Franky-san gives him thumbs up.

"I suddenly have I-can't-be-bodyguard disease." Usopp-san sinks under the covers he has untangled.

"Brook, you wanna be the look out?"

"Yohohoho! Sounds like fun!"

"Alright then," Luffy-san punches his palm with his other curled fist, "Let's kick some ass!"

"I'll get Nami-chan." I say, leaving the room as the boys sound like they are preparing for war. Ah, this is a constant repercussion in many literatures isn't it? About now, something usually goes terribly wrong. I'll have to keep that in mind.

The waves rock the Sunny back and forth, a lulling sensation that could easily put you to sleep. A few birds chirp, content with the environment they have been given. It feels like a normal day, at just another island we will leave eventually. It's intriguing how a big event has a tendency to throw you off. However, this story has intrigued my interests. I believe we will be uncovering some historical things tangled in this mess. I knock politely on Nami-chan's door. Waiting for a few moments, I hear her feet shuffling across the floor before the door opens.

"Hello Nami-chan." I greet, "We will be getting some information and I was hoping you could come along for interrogation." A devious smirk forms on her face, making me mirror it as well. I am very aware of what our navigator is capable of and at the very least, I am very impressed.

"Who will be staying with Sanji-kun?" She asks once her door is securely shut. Who knows when Sanji-san will be well enough to snoop around?

"Chopper-san, Brook-san, Franky-san, and Usopp-san. I predicated the team gathering the intel will be us, plus Luffy-san and Zoro-san."

She sighs, "That'll be a pain."

"But that make for good intimidators. It wouldn't hurt to bring them along. Besides, I believe Luffy-san is taking this seriously. They really shouldn't be anything to worry about."

"You're right," Nami-chan agrees, nodding, "We better catch up before we are left behind."

"Funny," I chuckle, "I didn't even tell them where we are going."

Sorry for the long wait. A virus in my computer prevented me from typing things and as you can tell, this is a prettttty long document! Hope you enjoyed it! Leave it to Robin to get stuff done.

-Soul Spirit-