Chapter 108
Shogun's Castle, Shadow Island, Formerly Maple Tree Grove. (903 years ago).
"Well, what do you think of the makeover?" Cyclone asked Dubois as they sat in the old Shogun's room, but now it's Cyclone's new headquarters.
Dubois looked out the window to the side. The island was now completely dark, and filled with a thick, heavy mist. A dark forest completely took up one half of the island with a large mountain to the north. The Shogun's castle rested in between the two. Light from camps, smoke columns, and shadow-like figures, roamed around through the island. Cyclone rest on his knees on a mat while Dubois had to sit down. It was hard on the knees when Dubois tries to kneel the way Cyclone was, since he's part giant.
"This place used to be full of life... it used to be known for its beautiful maple leaf trees." Dubois said.
Cyclone smirked.
"Well Mr. Ubois, where I'm from all I know is darkness, so, I feel a lot more at home this way. I see you're a man who cares about his territory." Cyclone said.
Dubois felt uneasy. Collector walked into the room with tea and set down a glass on Cyclone's table. Collector hissed at Dubois before leaving him a tea as well and walking away. Dubois took a sip of tea.
"Well, I wouldn't call it territory, I'm just in charge of my third of the island. That's all." Dubois said, "But we're all one. So I care for the entire island as well."
Cyclone continued smirking and sat back.
"And what exactly do you do, Mr. Ubois, and what does that "D" stand for, if I may ask?" Cyclone asked.
"Oh, certainly. I run a church mainly. Everyone from all three islands are allowed to show up for service of course. The homeless or less fortunate are more than happy to stay as well. I don't mind. The "D" stands for "Dawn." We are the clan of the Dawn essentially, I know it's generic, but we've thrived for a long time." Dubois said.
Cyclone stared.
"The land I watch over is mainly focused on farming, I've also been trusted to watch over the ports. Nothing gets in or out without my say so." Dubois said.
Cyclone nodded.
"Interesting. Very interesting." Cyclone said, "So, if that's the case, why have you never inquired trade between your island and "The Mainland" as you call it?" Cyclone asked.
"It's foreign territory. We've already had generations of connections to the islands we trade with to this day. We're not a combative people, so we don't have anyone to send there." Dubois explained, "That's what excites me about the Elder's plan to send me over there, so I can finally see what lies on that island. He won't stop talking about it, the things he hears going on there. Hopefully, if all goes well, I can take him there."
"Torebion." Cyclone said chillingly.
Dubois straightened up.
"Y-Yes.. Torebion." Dubois said hesitantly.
"And.. how exactly did you come across this boy?" Cyclone asked.
Dubois was silent for a moment.
"I found him 23 years ago. In the arms of some bandit. I scared the guy away and couldn't find any trace of where he came from. So, I decided to raise him." Dubois said.
Cyclone stared with intensity and whispered chillingly.
"Do you know?.. What he is?"
Dubois was slightly taken back.
"Wh-What?" Dubois asked.
"Have you seen anything? Any sign of out of this world power from the boy? He must be 23 by now, surely you've seen something!" Cyclone asked, getting more excited.
Duboid was starting to get uncomfortable as Cyclone stared on.
Dubois was silent for a moment.
"Tore's killed before. He doesn't know that I know." Dubois said.
Cyclone was surprised.
"Really?.." Cyclone asked, intrigued.
"The Shadowkin are a big problem on this island. They attempted to rob and kill Tore one night, but.. Tore defended himself.. and killed one of their top ranking goons.. I was.. going on my usual nightly walk... when I saw it." Dubois said holding back tears, trauma from having witnessed the peaceful Tore killing a man for the first time.
Cyclone leaned forward.
"How-How did he react?? To the kill?" Cyclone asked.
Soft tears began to fall down Dubois face.
"He-He was so scared..." Dubois said.
Cyclone fell back on his knees.
"I can still hear his screams as he tried to bring the man back.. but there was nothing he could do.. that man wanted to kill him.. and Tore still screamed wishing he could save him." Dubois said softly.
"How did he kill him?.." Cyclone asked, "Anything unnatural?"
Dubois looked up slowly with slight surprise that Cyclone could guess that.
"Yes.. something like that." Dubois was already suspicious of this strange man but now he was even more suspicious that Cyclone knew more about Tore than he's letting on.
"What? What was it??" Cyclone asked, leaning forward again.
"Tore... could manifest a red-cosmic energy and shape it into weapons.. he preferred samurai type weapons.. he used a katana he conjured to kill his attacker.." Dubois said, upset.
Cyclone stared with shock but was completely estatic on the inside.
"So Burusu did pass on that power to him.. excellent!! I had Collector looking for Burusu's body every day for years and found nothing!! Burusu getting involved didn't change a thing... He's no longer around and Tore was still able to awaken his cosmic powers !! Cyclone yelled to himself.
Cyclone smiled.
"He's also inherited that incredibly soft heart of his people... he'll be too easy to fool!!" Cyclone smiled to himself.
Cyclone sat back and straightened up.
"I'm... terribly sorry to hear that. It must have been traumatic for you both." Cyclone said.
Dubois was silent for a moment.
"I could never tell him I knew after seeing how he reacted.. Since he was little, Tore has always tried to be the best son he could be, he almost never disappointed me or got scolded.. if he knew I knew he killed someone.. I don't even want to begin to think what would happen." Dubois said.
Cyclone, his chin on his hands and fingers on his mouth, stared at Dubois.
"Oh I'm sure he would be devastated." Cyclone said.
Dubois looked at Cyclone.
"Can I ask you something?" Dubois asked.
Cyclone squinted.
"What's on your mind?" Cyclone asked, his shadow under the table slowly creeping towards Dubois's.
Collector stared from the end of the room, hidden by shadow, more eyes began to appear next to him. Cyclone's shadow slowly traveled up Dubois's leg and up his body.
"What's your history with Tore?" Dubois asked.
Cyclone's eyes widened.
"My questions have raised his suspicions..." Cyclone said, smirking, and then standing up.
Cyclone walked to a window on the side and stared outside at the now rainy island.
"Tore. Is my baby brother. I've been searching for
him for the last 20 years." Cyclone said, looking at Dubois with sadness. Dubois was filled with shock.
DUBOID CASTLE (PRESENT DAY)
Naruto and Luffy stared at each other with shock, as well as everyone else. Tore was completely traumatized after his first kill. Psycho, kills without a single thought about it afterwards. The more they hear how innocent Tore was and knowing how brutal Psycho is, this question remains; how was it possible that Tore and Psycho are the same people?
The Straw Hat Shinobi were also under the guise that Cyclone and Psycho were brothers. It appears that lie has worked for centuries.
"I couldn't believe it.. I knew Tore wouldn't believe it.." Dubois said softly and then was quiet for an eerily long time.
Everyone stared with nervous anticipation.
"We shouldn't have believed it..." Dubois finally said, completely defeated.
HOLY LAND OF MARIEJOIS (903 Years ago)
The Five Elders walked through the dark halls of the Holy Manor.
"Dubois seems to understand his role.." St. Mars said.
"He'd better understand it. Or he'll die." St. Topman said coldly.
"He will be. We should have never made him a shogun. That position is too powerful." St. Ethan said.
"Muranaka will remain in line, for his sake." St. Saturn opposed, "The only reason he wasn't killed was because of his supposed knowledge of another disgusting race that needed subjugation."
"The Lecnians.. is what he called them." St. Mars said.
"My mouth feels rotten every time I speak their name." St. Saturn disgustingly said.
"And what exactly is the deal with this "sky brat?" St. Ethan asked.
"That topic is specifically what Mu-sama has summoned us for." St. Topman said.
The elders continued walking until they reached a throne room. There was an empty throne high above the room. The elders all got on one knee as Mu walked into the room and sat on the throne. Mu stared at the elders and didn't blink once. The elders continued to look at the floor when they spoke.
"You are permitted to look at Mu." Mu said.
The elders looked up at Mu.
"Muranaka has given Mu valuable information." Mu said, "The Lecnians" can manifest their willpower into cosmic attacks. This pleases Mu." Mu said.
"With that power, Mu can achieve their dream. A seat at the top of the world!!" Mu screeched.
The elder's continued looking up at Mu with straight faces.
"What do you want to do, Mu-sama?" St. Saturn asked.
Mu was silent.
"Bring him to Mu." Mu said.
"I will issue the order." St. Topman confirmed.
"We'll need to keep him in our sights for a while before we approach him.." St. Mars said.
"Ubois wants to take him to The Mainland. That can't be allowed to happen." St. Saturn added.
"Tore stays on Okino island. Ubois goes." Mu spit.
"How will we get Torebion to stay put?" St. Ethan asked.
"That disease." Mu said.
"It will be done." St. Mars said.
Footsteps could be heard.
A shadow arrow launched from Mu's position and into the shadows.
"What has gotten in here?!" Mu screeched.
Instantly, Cyclone leaned against a pole in the throne room. The elders and Mu couldn't believe it.
"Muranaka!" St. Saturn yelled, all the elders reaching for their pistols.
"WHERE DID THIS ONE COME FROM?!" Mu yelled, launching another shadow arrow at Cyclone at almost the speed of light, but again, at the blink of an eye, Cyclone dodged their bullets and Mu's shadow attack.
"WHAT?!" Mu yelled.
Cyclone walked out of the shadows from another side of the room, Collector was with him, swinging a latern on a chain in circles while he snickered.
"That thing on the throne can't be human sounding like that! I would know." Collector said.
"Mu sounds like a demon." Cyclone laughed, "But that's about it.
"What is it doing here?" Mu asked the elders.
"We never sensed him Mu-sama!" St. Topman pleaded.
"He's moving faster than the eye can see.." St. Mars said.
"What are the possible explanations?" St. Ethan asked.
"So you guys want to go after Tore." Cyclone said.
"What business is it to it?" Mu asked, condescendingly.
"Well, you see, I kind of already had plans for the boy. For when I rule the world." Cyclone said.
"You dare speak on ruling this world in front of Mu-sama?" St. Mars asked.
"That automatically makes you our enemy." St. Topman said.
"You had shogun, what more could an insect like you want?!" St. Ethan spit.
"You give an insect a crumb and it wants an entire feast!" Mu spit.
"Do you think 20 kingdoms agreed to fly our World Government flag because we asked?" St. Saturn said, his eyes becoming demonic and large black horns growing out of his head.
Cyclone was completely shocked. Mu stood straight up at an inhuman speed and began taking slow, heavy steps down the stairs.
All the elders began to transform into different types of creatures.
Cyclone backed away slowly. Collector couldn't believe it.
"AHHHHHH!!!" Collector tried to run but was pierced with a shadow arrow from Mu.
"GUAGGGGG!!!" Collector coughed up blood.
Cyclone looked at Collector and then back at the elders and his eyes widened.
Cyclone couldn't believe what he was seeing. How was this possible?
"Did you just assume we were weak?!!!!!" Topman yelled, blasting Cyclone down the room. Cyclone felt strange.
"What was that energy I felt just now?" Cyclone asked himself, "It felt like... his, but different!"
Cyclone looked up to see Mu now crawling down the stairs in a giant-humanoid form, Mu roared.
Cyclone smiled.
"They're using the powers of skin walkers..." Cyclone said to himself.
"You hate these other races but steal their power." Cyclone said.
"Insects do not deserve power. That is why we take it." St. Mars said.
Cyclone looked at the demons one more time, itching for a fight, but Cyclone decided to play chess.
"We don't have to fight each other. There are still things I can tell you that will make you very powerful people." Cyclone said.
"We've heard enough." St. Ethan said.
"Goodbye." St. Saturn said.
All of the elders and Mu charged Cyclone.
Cyclone smiled.
"Mu accomplishes their dream of ruling the world in the future." Cyclone said.
The elders and Mu came to a hault.
"How does this one know this?!" Mu asked.
Cyclone smiled.
"Because I'm from the future." Cyclone said.
"Impossible." Mu said.
Cyclone showed the demons his clock eye.
"Oh but it is... you want control of The Mainland? I want control of Tore. Let's help each other out, what do you say?" Cyclone asked.
The elders and Mu stared at Cyclone with bloodlust, but thought about the offer.
"Mu really controls the world in the future?" Mu asked.
Cyclone nodded.
"I guarantee it." Cyclone said.
The elders and Mu slowly changed back to normal.
"What's our plan from here?" St. Topman asked Cyclone.
"Just keep doing exactly as you're doing. I will do my part in ensuring Mu's rule is certain, I just need you to do something for me." Cyclone said.
The elders looked at each other and Mu stared at Cyclone.
"What is it-it wants from Mu?" Mu asked.
Cyclone smirked.
"I'd just like to know a thing or two about that energy you just blasted me with." Cyclone said.
"My haki roar?" St Topman asked.
Cyclone smiled.
"If that's what you want to call it." Cyclone said.
DUBOIS CASTLE (Present day)
"Eventually the elders called me in and gave me a departure date. They gave me 3 years to come back to them with a decision from the king before they made one for him." Dubois said, "The first ever Reverie was going to happen then, so they needed an answer on whether they'd be leaving Nika a seat." Dubois explained.
Dubois sighed.
"I was so excited to tell Tore... but something happened.. he got sick... Out of complete nowhere. We had a few marine guys come to the church for supplies and after that Tore was sick..." Dubois said.
Everyone was surprised.
"It wasn't just some natural sickness, the longer he stayed in the sun, the more crystals appeared on his body, taking him over. He could barely breathe or move.." Dubois said, slamming his fist on his ice chair.
"Those DAMN elders!!!" Dubois said angrily, a tear falling from his eye.
Floratheo Isle
"I didn't get to see Papa Ubois off." Tore said.
Robin was eating an apple she had picked, it was delicious.
"Why not?" Robin asked.
"Somehow... the day before he was sent off... I got sick.." Tore said, "Crystals took over my body and it only got worse if sunlight was on me..." Tore said.
Robin gulped.
"That sounds like sapphire scale..." Robin said.
Tore looked at Robin.
"That's right. At the time of course, there was nothing you could do... I don't even know how I got it." Tore said. Tore looked down.
"If there was nothing you could do?... How did you survive?" Robin asked.
Tore grit his teeth and looked to the side, trying to contain the little anger he did have in him.
Tore, with a shaky voice... answered.
"Him." Tore said, Robin's eyes widened.
"Muranaka..." Tore said, defeated.