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.
"What has gotten in here?!" Mu screeched.
Instantly, Cyclone could be seen leaning 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. Before Cyclone could speak the elders shot at him and at the blink of an eye, Cyclone dodged their bullets, disappearing.
"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 don't know how he got in here Mu-sama honestly!" 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 gave us information on the Lecnians and we gave you shogun, what more could an insect like you want?!" St. Ethan spit.
"Disgusting! You give an insect a crumb it will want the entire feast!" Mu spit.
Mu stood up at an inhuman speed and began slowly but loudly slamming their feet on the steps as Mu walked down them.
Cyclone looked up at Mu and back at the approaching elders and smirked with slight excitement.
"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.
"Even if I told you, you didn't need Tore to claim his people's power?" Cyclone asked rhetorically.
The elders and Mu came to a hault.
"What?" Mu asked.
Cyclone smiled.
"I think you heard me." Cyclone said wickedly.
"Impossible." Mu said "It told Mu the sky boy is the last Lecnian."
"And he is. Only because I couldn't find his father's body after I killed him 23 years ago." Cyclone said.
"23 years? You expect us to believe that and you haven't aged a day since?" St Topman said.
Cyclone smiled with pure evil and showed the elders and Mu his clock eye.
"An eye with the properties of a clock? What is this sorcery?!" Mu screeched.
The elders were actually shocked!
"What the hell are you?" St. Ethan asked.
Cyclone closed his eyes and smirked.
"What am I? Well I can be a lot of things... a friend, a foe, your dream come true, or your worst nightmare. It's up to you to decide." Cyclone said, Collector salivating and licking his lips beside him.
The elders and Mu glared at Cyclone.
"Im asking you to make a decision." Cyclone said, seriously.
The room was tense.
The elders looked at each other.
"It is up to Mu-sama..." St. Mars said.
Cyclone looked up at Mu, whose red eye shook with rage at feeling checkmated.
"If you really want to be enemies, I'm not going to attack any more countries or even those kingdoms. My assult begins right here, right now. I promise you that." Cyclone said, looking back at the elders.
The elders looked back up at Mu who continued to stare with rage. Everything was dead silent once more. Collector chuckled to himself as he swung his lantern in circles. Cyclone stared at the elders with insane excitement.
After a moment longer, Mu spoke.
"Mu has made a decision. Mu will hear it out." Mu said.
Cyclone and Collector both relaxed themselves and Cyclone took a deep breath in and exhaled.
"Now what it is it, it can tell Mu about more Lecnians?" Mu asked.
"The Shadowkin were the ones who found Tore's father's body after we fought. I found out they knew something when his men started doing awfully similar moves to what Burusu could do. When I observed them the other day." Cyclone explained.
"I kidnapped one of them and Collector here tortured him into spilling the beans. They sold Burusu's body to some undead freaks on The Mainland about 23 years ago, after somehow managing to extract Burusu's power to use for themselves!" Cyclone said.
The elders and Mu all listened with fascination and intrigue.
"So the Lecnian king's body, i.e his power, is on The Mainland?" St. Topman asked.
Cyclone nodded.
Mu and the elders were pleased.
"Well done." St Mars said, "No further questions."
"What?" Cyclone asked.
"You've told us some valuable information, our marines will handle the recovery. You're no longer needed." St. Saturn said.
"Oh but I am..." Cyclone smiled.
"Why?" St. Ethan asked angrily.
"Because I'm the only one who can fight them." Cyclone answered.
"Who? The undead? That won't be necessary..." St. Mars said.
"The undead with the ability to control cosmic energy." Cyclone said, "I already killed Tore's father, that man had a complete mastery over the abilities. They've had a couple decades to get powerful enough to fight against your marines but not even close to long enough to go toe to toe with me." Cyclone explained.
The elders glared at Cyclone as well as Mu, but they knew he was right.
Mu held up 3 fingers.
"It has 3 years to find the Lecnian king's body. The first centennial reverie will be then. Every king dom from the 20 will meet here, Mu demands that power by then." Mu spit.
"So you have an ace up your sleeve if things go left? Hmph." Cyclone chuckled.
"What's next?" St. Saturn asked.
Cyclone looked back at the elders and crossed his arms.
"You will administer your disease to Tore to keep him put while I go search The Mainland for the next 3 years." Cyclone said.
"Ubois will depart as well." Mu said.
Cyclone looked up at Mu.
"We will need Nika's kingdom in attendance at The Reverie." Mu said, "Also, you can make sure the giant is up to no funny business."
Cyclone nodded and looked back at the elders.
"I will make periodic visits to let you know what I have found so far." Cyclone said.
"That was to be expected anyway." St. Ethan said.
Cyclone smiled.
"So we all have an understanding?" Cyclone asked.
Everyone in the room understood the plan.
DUBOIS CASTLE (Present Day)
"..." Dubois sat silently.
"No one could have ever guessed what Burusu's power did to that island..." Dubois said.