c12: Landing At The Thriller Bark
"Captain, we're back," Robin called out from a distance.
"Itachi, why did you bring him back?" Moran asked as he spotted Lucci being dragged behind.
"You only told me to protect the crew. You didn't say how to deal with the enemy."
"Alright, you brought him back, so let's keep him locked up for now."
"Master Moran, if you knew she'd be targeted here, why didn't you warn me and let me protect her earlier?"
"Itachi, you don't know her past. Robin's been hunted by the World Government her entire life. That fear has taken root so deeply that she sees herself as a demon. But fear can't be outrun it has to be faced. Only then can she move forward."
(Enies Lobby)
Brrrrrr Brrrrrr "Moshi Moshi, this is Spandam."
"Sir, Blueno reporting. The mission failed. Both of us were seriously injured, and Lucci was captured by the enemy."
"What!!?"
"Didn't Lucci boast that he was the strongest CP9 agent in centuries? And you're telling me he failed?"
"Nico Robin has joined the new Shichibukai, the Wanjian Pirates. They're the ones who rescued her."
"Sir, please consider saving Lucci. He's still alive, just detained."
"Hold on!" Spandam replied, though in his heart he thought: This has nothing to do with me. I'll report it, but saving them isn't my concern.
(Back in Water 7)
"Little ones, set sail."
"It's the captain!"
"It's the captain!"
"It's the captain!"
"It's the captain!"
"It's the captain!"
"Where are we heading next, Captain?" Robin asked as she adjusted the Log Pose on her wrist.
(Robin had now taken over as the ship's navigator.)
"We're heading to Thriller Bark to retrieve something. After that, we'll set course for the Sabaody Archipelago."
"Thriller Bark? That sounds like a haunted island. Does it have actual ghosts?" Acedes asked curiously.
"You'll find out when we get there. Acedes, let's train your swordsmanship a bit on the way."
"Also, Chitong, I want you to begin teaching Itachi how to use Haki. Robin, you can join if you're interested."
"Understood, Captain."
(A few hours later...)
Moran lay sprawled on a deck chair, his face bruised and swollen. Chitong sat beside him, applying ointment to his cheek.
"It was just sparring did Acedes really need to hit that hard?"
"Master Moran, maybe you shouldn't train so recklessly. From now on, I'll protect you," Chitong said, her voice trembling slightly, eyes rimmed with red.
If I say yes now, this girl might cry for real, Moran thought silently.
"It's alright. This isn't the first time. Why do you make that face every time? Come on, give me a smile." He lifted her chin gently with his fingers, looking into her eyes.
Chitong blushed furiously and jumped up, fleeing in embarrassment.
"Hey, you didn't even finish applying the medicine. And now I've gotta go comfort her later. I walked right into that one."
"Captain, there's a Sea King headed toward us!" Van Augur called out from the observation deck.
"Itachi, handle it," Moran said without hesitation, glancing toward the Uchiha.
A massive sea serpent a snake-like Sea King was surging forward, waves crashing around it as it charged the ship with fangs bared.
When it got within ten meters of the hull, Itachi calmly turned his head and locked eyes with the beast. The Sharingan in his gaze spun, crimson and hypnotic.
The Sea King froze instantly, its eyes dulled, and it slowly sank beneath the waves, pacified without a sound.
"Master Moran, control yourself. Are you planning to eat it?" Itachi asked calmly.
The Sea King shivered, looking at Itachi as if it understood the words and feared for its life.
"It's not that. Go grab a rope. Tie one end to the Sea King and the other to the ship. Let it drag us. It'll pull faster than the wind."
"Yohohohoho, yohohohoho!"
When Moran heard the strange, cheerful singing, he immediately recognized it.
"That voice... it's Brook. No one else sings like that."
"Robin, head toward the sound."
"It's the captain!"
Before long, they came upon a large, broken-down vessel adrift on the water.
As they approached, they saw skeletons aboard some were still moving, dancing, and singing.
"Hilarious. So funny!" Acedes shouted and jumped straight onto the ghost ship with curiosity.
Brook turned toward her with a flourish, and before he could do anything inappropriate, Moran appeared next to him instantly using Soru and launched a kick into his ribcage.
"Shut up, you harasser," Moran said coldly.
"Oh, how fierce!"
"That was interesting. Lord Moran, what is he exactly?" Acedes asked, tilting her head.
"You're being awfully rude," Brook said, brushing off his suit.
"I am Dead Bones Brook, a gentleman and a musician. Not a thing!"
"Uh, so you're not a thing?" Acedes replied.
"I'm a thing, no wait, I'm not a thing ah, what kind of thing am I?!"
"That's what we should be asking you!" Robin snapped.
"Do you know where Thriller Bark is?" Moran asked.
"What business do you have with that place?" Brook asked, serious for a moment.
"I'm going to get something from Gecko Moria."
"Sail south for about an hour. You'll see it."
"Thanks, Mr. Skull. Goodbye."
"Acedes, stop staring. It's not a ghost, just someone with a Devil Fruit ability."
"Understood, Lord Moran."
"Are there really ghosts on the captain's ghost ship? And what about the singing skeleton from earlier?" Chitong asked.
"That's not a ghost. Brook ate the Revive-Revive Fruit. It brought him back from death. Nothing supernatural."
"Set course south."
"It's the captain!"
(One hour later, at Thriller Bark)
"Captain, why are we here?" Van Augur asked from the crow's nest.
"To get a sword. A big, sharp one."
"Once we find it, we're leaving. This place reeks of death."
Suddenly, red light flickered in Chitong's eyes. He drew his blade and slashed to the left. A figure shimmered into visibility, blood pouring from a gash across his chest.
"Oh, Absalom," Moran said casually. "One of Gecko Moria's subordinates."
Absalom stumbled, staring at Chitong in horror. "How how did you find me?!"
"No time for questions. Is Gecko Moria here?" Moran asked, holding his blade at Absalom's throat.
"He's not. Master went to Marineford."
"Take me to Ryuma. I'll get what I came for and leave."
"No way. You're after the legendary sword! I won't betray Master!"
"You sure about that? Chitong's arm isn't symmetrical. Help him even it out."
"All right, all right! Please, this way. The Dragon-Slaying Samurai isn't far."
"Wow. Where's your loyalty? Your pride? Your honor?" Moran muttered sarcastically.
"Not long after we left the docks, I saw a pale swordsman. Silver hair, bandaged body. He's waiting."
"Hey, Mr. Ryuma, I've taken a liking to your sword. Would you mind parting with it?"
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