Chapter 101
Tore and Olivia flew through the clear night sky on Tore's robin. The air was cool and crisp. The full moon shone big and bright. Olivia wiped the hair from her face and looked at Tore.
"We've been flying for a while now. Where exactly are you taking me again?" Olivia asked.
Tore looked back and smiled.
"A place unlike anything you've ever seen before! It looks amazing at night." Tore answered.
Olivia smiled as the Robin soared through the sky. Eventually Tore spoke again.
"We're here! It's right below those clouds, are you ready?" Tore asked with a big smile.
Olivia nodded and the Tore flew down through the clouds. Olivia held on as tight as she could and squinted from the water droplets hitting her face, but when they emerged from the clouds she couldn't believe her eyes.
"Oh my... this is amazing!" Olivia screamed as Tore smiled.
The entire land was scattered with glowing swords that looked as if they belonged to giants. Giant trees with pink and purple petals are also scattered throughout the island. A massive river flowed past an abandoned castle that sat on a hill, behind it, another giant sword stuck into the ground. Animals Olivia had never seen before roamed around. Deer with purple antlers, blue fur, and a light blue polka dot or stripe line on their bodies. Fish appeared to glow in the dark and birds flew through the skies. Tore flew the pair down onto the hand guard of one of the giant swords and sat down. A violet and pink flower grew out of the sword, Olivia reached down to touch it. Soft and silky.
"Tore, what is this place?" Olivia asked.
Tore looked peacefully over the landscape.
"About six hundred or so years ago, this island was originally called, "King Norshires' Island," that was his castle over there. This island was the subject of rumors that an ancient weapon was being kept here. Plenty of enemies came seeking this "weapon" but none succeeded. King Norshires' island ended up being attacked by giants and a massive war broke out. King Norshire was a great man, he was bold and daring as well as a brilliant strategist. His army defeated the giants and he ruled a few more years before he was killed by his brother for the throne." Tore explained.
Olivia looked out at the beautiful luminescent landscape and pulled out a notebook tp write down everything she learns.
"The people didn't respect the brothers' authority so he started to torture and killed the people, or sold them to slavery. This forced the people to go and seek out the same giants whom they had defeated before, promising them the island could be theirs. When the giants came back, the brother had already eaten the dark dark fruit and used those powers to suck the giants into a massive black hole, they dropped their swords where they stood as you can see." Tore said.
"Such a violent history for such a beautiful place..." Olivia said, writing everything down, "And what happened to the brother?"
"The black hole he created was too much and he sucked himself and the entirety of the kingdom into the black hole, except for the castle over there. Devil fruits were a complete anomaly back then, if you had one, you would be killed for witchcraft. I don't think he understood its power and panicked. Not knowing he could just come back to the surface on his own. Eventually, he and everyone else died down there and the fruit re-grew not too far from the castle."
"Fascinating... you wouldn't think this island had that kind of history six hundred years ago." Olivia said, still writing.
"When the brother used the dark fruit to cover the island it also kept the island in eternal darkness and its been that way since even after his death, my guess is he inadvertently awakened his devil fruit to create such a massive black hole. Eventually, evolution took over, and the plants and animals who were forced to live in darkness began to glow and thrive in the dark. The swords the giants used were created from silver perobia, a rock element that glowed in the dark to help the giants fight at night, they also made good beacons. They can only be found on giant islands." Tore finished.
"I seriously can't believe it. I would have never found a place like this let alone such a rich history! Trying to figure out why the animals glow would have taken years of research on its own! All this was after the void century right?" Olivia asked.
Tore thought for a moment.
"About two or three hundred years after the void century, yes. You've sure done your research." Tore smiled.
"Me? Heck, you've told me this islands' history as if you were there watching it all unfold!" Olivia said with a laugh.
Tore paused. Olivia became concerned.
"It's because I was.." Tore said softly.
Olivia's eyes locked on to Tore with surprise, shock, confusion, just about every emotion in the book.
"Y-Y-You what?.." Olivia asked, rightfully confused.
Tore looked down and let Olivia calm down.
"Wh-What do you mean... you were there? six hundred years ago? Tore you have to be kidding! We look almost the same age!" Olivia smiled and then became serious when she saw Tore wasn't joking.
"Tore..." Olivia started.
"I know... you need answers." Tore said softly, "But let's just enjoy tonight. I want to take you somewhere else in the morning. If you'll let me?" Tore asked.
Olivia didn't know what to do or say. How else was anyone supposed to act when they've been told someone has been living for centuries? A lover of history first, Olivia accepted the invitation, and also because...
"There's something about you, Tore... I'm so confused now and don't know how to feel... but I want to keep traveling with you." Olivia said softly, grabbing Tore's hand.
Tore was surprised, expecting her to slap him and ask to be taken home. Tore brought her hand to his cheek.
"Your interest in the Void Century peaked interest in me, Olivia... I'm the only living being that can tell you this world's history from a personal perspective... I could tell you the history of the Void Century-"
SLAP!
Tore was confused.
"Silly, you think I want to hear about the Void Century!? You can tell me whatever history you want, but keep the Void Century out of it! I want to do my own travels and discover the truth myself!" Olivia said.
Tore couldn't believe his eyes. Tore smiled big.
Then my lips are sealed. Olivia layed her head on Tore's shoulder and the two stared out at the enchanting landscape.
PRESENT DAY
Tore and Robin flew through the clouds, straight into the sky. After Tore told Robin about how he and her mother met, Tore said he would take her to the place he brought her mom to discuss his story.
"Robin, you okay back there? We're almost there!" Tore yelled.
"I'm fine!" Robin said.
Eventually the robin came across a giant sky fortress sitting in the sky.
Robin was filled with shock and excitement.
"A sky island?" Robin asked.
"A sky fortress! This is where I was born, Floratheo Isle. Famous for its one of a kind flora and fruit that grows here. Forever enriched with the sun's energy and moistened by the atmosphere, the plants here will never die, even though its been long since abandoned." Tore explained.
The robin flew around the fortress, it sat on a giant bed of clouds with three separate buildings all connected by a system of bridges. Trees, flowers, and fruit grew all over. Each of the three towers had giant trees growing out of the top of them. The robin flew around the island and landed in a large courtyard. Tore helped Robin up and floated the two onto the ground. Robin took another look around at the beautiful sky fortress.
"This is where you brought mom next?" Robin asked.
Tore fed the robin and nodded.
"Yep! The next morning I brought her here and we found a good spot to sit and eat while I told her more about my history." Tore said.
"I take it that's what we'll be doing?" Robin asked.
"Of course! Then we'll stop at the North Blue so I can pick up some more food and water for the journey. I figured since you were so adamant on knowing my history I might as well bring you here a little earlier than I planned, but you have the right to know. I can only imagine how confusing all of this has been these past few days." Tore said.
"You think!?" Robin yelled.
Tore was scared.
"Ahhhh! I didn't know you could be so expressive, Robin!" Tore yelled.
Robin covered her mouth and looked down.
"I'm just so exhausted wondering... will I finally get the truth without anything happening? No surprise fights, no tricks?" Robin asked.
Tore held up Robin's face.
"I promise." Tore said, "Your mom and I sat over the entire fortress from the sky garden, that's where we'll go." Tore said, pointing to the top of a giant tower.
"Oh my, it will take us ages to walk all the way up there." Robin said.
Tore unwrapped his hands to Robin's shock. Psycho has had his hands covered since they met him and Tore continued to have them covered but with bandages instead of gloves, the paw patterned print on his hands was why.
"The paw paw fruit... but how?" Robin asked.
Tore smiled.
"I thought I'd tell you everything from the garden?" Tore smiled as he and Robin were instantly teleported to the island above the fortress.
The garden was beautiful. Fruits and trees everywhere with a perfect view of the rest of the sky fortress below. A bench sat in front of a guard rail that Tore and Robin walked up to. The two sat down.
Tore breathed in and out slowly.
"Alright... where should I begin?... I guess I'll start from the beginning... the real beginning." Tore said.
Robin patiently, but eagerly awaited him to start. Everything from meeting Psycho at Arlong Park 2.0 up to now has been questions and answers. It was time for the truth.
"My full name, is Torebion Teira, and I was born nine hundred and twenty-six years ago." Tore said, tears slowly developing.
DUBOIS CASTLE (A FEW HOURS AGO)
The Straw Hat Shinobi all stood around Duboi's courtyard fresh off their fight with Cyclone. Everyone breathed heavily or was sitting down. Sakura and Hinata made their rounds healing everyone, as well as Kraken who specialized in medicine during his time as an active Marine.
Hinata walked over to heal Akainu's injuries.
"Get your damn hands off me Shinobi! I'll never accept help from the likes of you!" Akainu spit.
Hinata was taken back.
"Hey!... What'd you say you jerk!? Just let her help you!" Naruto yelled weakly.
"Shinobi don't tell me what to do! I can't wait until I'm back in power, all of you will receive bounties over one billion! The entirety of the four blues will want your heads!" Akainu yelled.
Kraken kept tending to Mihawk and Okua's injuries.
"This is why I wanted to blast this guy's head off!" Lionel yelled.
"HA! What could a squirt like you ever do to me?" Akainu laughed.
"He's just saying you're talking a lot for someone who got eliminated early into the fight." Law said, sitting down.
"TRAFALGAR! You think the destruction of your home land was traumatizing just wait until you've felt my wrath!" Akainu yelled.
"Whether you like it or not, a pirate, shinobi, and marine all teamed up and saved the day today." Fujitora said with a smile.
"Something that hasn't happened in nine hundred years..." Kraken said, standing up, "During the one hundred year war, Nika was said to have teamed up with a shinobi from the shinobi world. Naruto and Luffy being together, now of all times, is a sign there's a big change ahead. I don't care how you feel or what you believe, but we WILL defeat DEATH and change the future, we've ALL come too far to stop now." Kraken said, fire in his eyes.
Akainu spit blood on the ground.
"I will NEVER acknowledge any of you as my allies!" Akainu yelled.
Immediately a sharp cold wind blew from inside the castle. The doors had been knocked down earlier from Naruto and Luffy's last combination attack on Cyclone.
"YAHHHHH! It's freezing! Do we really have to go in there?" Usopp cried.
"Unfortunately, Sniper King. That's where the target is." Kraken said.
"Is he going to attack us Kraken? I don't know if we have enough in us to fight another big shot..." Kakashi said.
Kraken smiled and looked back.
"Hey, you don't sound like the guys who defeated the five elders! They were supposed to be the strongest the Grand Line had to offer and you guys beat them!" Kraken motivated, "I've got your backs, don't worry."
The team, all semi healed up, began to walk towards the dark opening in the castle.
"Kraken, what happened to the tragedies? The ability that killed Smokey, almost blew Sanji's leg off and the rain that shot through us like bullets?" Franky asked.
"Because of our fight with Cyclone, our intentions were disrupted and the tragedies came to a halt because finding Dubois was no longer our intention." Kraken explained.
"This Dubois guy really knows everything there is to know about Psycho?" Jimbei asked weakly.
Kraken nodded.
"He told me everything I know about him." Kraken said.
"Then why don't we just hang around out here and you tell us Psycho's story! That way we don't have to deal with those tragedies and what not!" Usopp begged.
"We're going in, Sniper. We have to, it's not my place to tell you Psycho's story. Dubois is the only person other than Psycho and Cyclone that lived at the same time as the Void Century, he can tell you from personal experiences. My explanations would be about as useful as hearsay." Kraken said.
The group continued walking.
"Remember everyone, just keep quiet when we get inside. Don't mention anything about what we're here to do." Kraken warned.
Everyone nodded. Kraken stared at Akainu.
"I swear if you cause another string of tragedies, round two will begin right here and now between me and you." Kraken said.
"You-You dare threaten me you insolent coward who ran out on his colleagues!?" Akainu yelled, charging Kraken.
Sasuke, Kakashi, Franky, and Jimbei all rushed in to stop Akainu. Fujitora used his gravity to at least trap Akainu's feet.
"Stop, Fleet admiral! We're almost to our target!" Kakashi said.
Sasuke groaned.
"If I had my magma powers you would all be sorry!" Akainu yelled.
"WE'LL NEVER REACH DUBOIS IF WE KEEP FIGHTING!" Usopp yelled, before immediately covering his mouth.
Kraken's eyes shot open and everyone looked at Usopp.
"Oh no... what have I done!?" Usopp yelled.
Everyone began looking around for the next tragedy to strike.
"Damn it, Sniper!" Kraken yelled.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!" Usopp yelled.
"It's fine! It's hard to abide by the rules of such a specific ability I get it! Everyone, just make your way into the castle! I'll watch your six!" Kraken yelled.
Akainu stepped up next to Kraken.
"YOU'VE SHOWED ME UP FOR THE LAST TIME COWARD! I'LL BE THE ONE TAKING CHARGE NOW!" Akainu yelled.
"This isn't a competition!" Kraken yelled.
The group ran towards the castle, getting ever so closely.
Kraken looked around left and right until his observation haki kicked in and the next ten seconds played out... it was a massacre! Kraken shot his head back at the group.
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Kraken yelled, Akainu looked back at the group as well.
Everyone looked back and into the air with fright. Kraken looked up and Akainu did as well.
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!
Kraken's Marine ship that had been destroyed and washed away burst through the clouds of the Florian Triangle, headed straight for the Straw Hat Shinobi. Duboi's ability to bring tragedy onto anyone who wished to find him caused Kraken's ship to be caught in a knock up stream and set flying back towards the group. Time appeared to slow down tremendously as Kraken turned his arms into tentacles and tried to save the group. Naruto and Luffy were too weak to get everyone to safety with their new forms.
"I can't let... them die here! We've... come too far!" Kraken stressed as he sent his tentacles blasting towards the group. The ship came closer and closer to crashing down on top of them all.
CRASSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
A giant shadow loomed over the courtyard as everyone who had covered their heads, slowly looked up to see the ship. Kraken and Akainu were shocked as well.
DOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!
The ship had been caught by a large trail of ice. The same ice from the castle that trapped Jambavan for a moment.
"Is it... is it stuck?" Lionel asked.
"It...appears that way." Okua breathed slowly.
Mihawk just stared up at the ship.
Kraken looked at the ship and into the darkness of the castle.
"Come on everyone let's go! Who knows when the next tragedy will show up!" Kraken said.
Everyone began running into the castle as ice slowly retreated, dropping the ship in a mighty boom and then encasing the entrance. Blocking their way out.