＊＊＊
Nami stepped past the towering brute guarding the small-time gambling house, giving him a quick nod, grimacing as she tossed aside the half rotten tarp she'd stolen from the docks which she had been forced to carry over her head to protect herself from the torrential downpour. It did nothing to protect her feet unfortunately, which were now soaked and absolutely freezing. She'd consider herself lucky that was all she'd suffered considering…
Her luck lately… Maybe there was something to this god of luck in Torrance.
That all could have gone a lot worse. It's what she deserved, she supposed - for taking such a chance in the middle of an already ongoing con. If she'd had more time to plan and prepare maybe she'd have been able to suss out that they had Buggy the Clown in their hold. Which… She probably wouldn't have touched them at all if she'd known.
She tended to avoid people on the most wanted list as a habit, the money wasn't worth those kinds of pirates usually. She needed to be alive to succeed in her goal after all.
She'd stashed her newly gained treasure in the abandoned apartment nearby - still locked, she had already deviated from the plan enough, besides it would be a nice treat for afterwards, getting to open it and find out how much she'd earned. The apartment and the gambling house was already scoped out by her and Carina when they committed to this con in the first place. Nami had been using it for the past two weeks. The - ugh, it still gave her shivers - foot and hand that came with her, she'd tossed down the garbage chute. If the pirate crew didn't take care of Buggy then the cannons surely would, right? Either way, she'd come off scot free, except for being caught in the storm.
She'd known it was coming, she'd been too careless, cutting it pretty close. At least by tomorrow night by the latest, the plan would be in motion.
She settled herself by the u shaped bar, the bartender sliding her one of her usuals, the alcohol would warm her up and soothe her raw nerves. She sipped the strong liquor, cooly assessing the room. No one too important had arrived yet, just the usual gang, gambling and being rowdy. Good. She wasn't in the mood quite yet for another acting job, playing pretend got so tiresome after awhile, especially when even her usual self was another pretense due to Arlong.
She felt bad enough for her last con job, her act had worked perfectly. The girl had been sweet, for a pirate, though. She gulped down the rest of her drink, slamming the glass down on the counter, gasping out, “Hit me with another, double this time!” She had hours before she needed to work, by the looks of things - might as well wash her guilt away with copious amounts of alcohol.
She took the glass that the bartender slid to her, admiring the amber liquid and the way it almost shone through the dim cloudy glass in this dingy locale, their booze was definitely the only classy thing in here. She toasted no one in particular, “To being a bitch!”
Her mood only marginally improved over the next two hours, she'd learned how to handle her drink quickly while scamming her way across East Blue, so she wasn't anywhere near drunk yet, she still hadn't paid for a single drink either, these guys were just too easy. Still, the drink hasn't helped much. It was silly to feel guilty, what with Nami's situation and what she needed to do, maybe it was because it was a girl… Made it easier for Nami to sympathize, see herself in her shoes… She'd never felt this guilty for scamming and using a guy before, it was easier to equate them to the regular pirate scum. Her fingers clenched around the glass she was currently nursing, Arlong didn't really believe in female pirates - herself the exception, not that she was a pirate, really. Slave fit more, she thought bitterly. Years of nightmares threatened to crawl through the cracks in her being, before she slammed the lid down. No! She's strong, she got this, doubts are for the weak! She can't afford to be weak, not now, not ever!
Her other hand clenched around her tattoo - the sign denoting she belonged to Arlong, Nami growling at herself, what was wrong with her? The girl was a pirate! Stop thinking about it!
A round of cheers told her she'd missed the gang leader's entrance in her introspection. She plastered on a confident smile, glad for the distraction despite everything, raising a drink to him in a toast as he swaggered her way. He was young and dumb, exactly the type Nami could run circles around. In fact this entire gang was filled with the same type, people too young and dumb with a splash of arrogance, people not able to fit in with the already established gangs. Easy pickings for her, while Carina ingratiated herself to one of the largest gangs for their influence, Nami was to find them the cheap and most importantly expendable muscle. And you didn't get much cheaper or expendable - than this guy.
“Nami! Finally done stealing every man's heart, eh?” The odious weasel of a man said, showcasing his yellowed teeth in a horrendous grin, before he nudged the man next to him, “Or just their wallets! Hahaha!”
Nami didn't know his real name, hadn't been here long enough or cared enough to draw that information out. But she was definitely sure the weasel hadn't been born with the name Machismo. Ridiculous man!
“You know me…” Nami said leadingly, wearing a small teasing smirk, “All about those…” She trailed off again, this time not purposely, as she gaped at the front entrance.
Buggy the clown stood in relief against the pouring rain and lightning that could be seen just outside. The flashing lightning storm provided an ominous backdrop, the pirate sporting a maniacal grin on his face, the water dripping off him only managing to enhance his sinister appearance. The brute guarding the front door held by the neck by a detached floating hand, The bouncer's feet desperately scrambling against the wood flooring, finding no purchase. “Knock knock!” Buggy called out, his tongue darting out to lick his lips fleetingly.
“W-who’s th-there?” One of the more weak willed gang members asked, getting scathing looks from the people around him. Nami surreptitiously slid off her barstool, while everyone's attention was ahead of them. Bravery doesn't do anyone anything good when they're dead, after all.
She couldn't help but notice the pirate had both hands and feet so that garbage chute didn't do much good. Also likely meant he'd be pretty mad at her right about now. It was time to get out of here. Her cheap muscle was now nothing but a fleshy barrier to buy her escape. Carina would understand.
Buggy cackled, the loud CRACK of the bouncer's neck snapping making the whole room flinch, the 300 pound body smacking into the flooring with a loud wet thud seconds later. “Who am I kidding, why am I even knocking - in a house full of dead men!” Buggy roared with laughter, spittle flying, as his eyes bugged out insanely.
Nami continued to edge down the bar, not wanting to run quite yet, it would draw attention to her, Buggy must have been a captive for awhile, he was obviously insane. She really regretted taking the chance on another score - turned out her eyes were too big for her stomach.
Buggy was one of the biggest names in East Blue. And she was now in the cross hairs. Nami cursed herself fifteen different ways internally. She prayed to Bellemere's spirit, promising that she'd totally stop swearing if only she got out of this situation, this one time.
That prayer had worked for her at least eight times now, so just one more time please!
“We're the Wildcards of Torrance, no stupid clown is going to make a joke out of us!” The gang leader Machismo roared, getting a hesitant cheer out of his men, who were obviously intimidated, several eyeing the body on the floor with obvious fear. The gang leader of said Wildcards drew a short sword and waved it at Buggy, shouting, “Let's see how you handle real steel, you freak!”
Crunch!
Nami gagged, feeling weak at the knees, grasping the bar counter to keep upright, as several men around her shrieked in shock and fear. Buggy's hand had flown in faster than she could see, and grasped the man's face in a vice grip, (Which unfortunately she could see), the pirate chuckling, speaking in a sing song baby voice, “~ little toy’s break sooo easily!” squeezing Machismo’s face, until it… Was crushed into pulp - literal pieces of bone and teeth spraying into the air, the sword clanging uselessly against the floor, soon followed by the limp body of their unrecognizable leader.
Buggy pouted, whatever makeup he had left, horribly smeared by the storm waters and now the blood spray, “Aww…” He crooned sadly to the frozen room, no one daring to move. Buggy looked up, crazed eyes taking in the room, “My toy broke… But I see LOTS oooooooofffffff SPARE PARTS!” He cackled wildly, holding his hands out, the thumbs of his hands detaching and flying forward straight into the face of the gang's number two, popping his eyes with a disgusting sucking sound, the sound somehow reverberating louder across the space than the man's desperate screams.
Pandemonium erupted as half the men tried to flee the premises, while the other half suicidally tried to dog pile Buggy, somehow believing numbers were going to change anything. Nami, limbs weak and barely holding down her bile, attempted to use the chaos to further her own exit strategy, just to shriek in shock, as she came face to face with Buggy. Literally.
The head of Buggy floated just ahead of her at the end of the bar, glaring down at her, “Where do you think you're going… Girl…” He growled, teeth gnashing together.
Nami desperately looked back at the scuffle, flinching back immediately, as a spray of blood hit her across the face, her hand reaching up automatically, shakingly, to wipe at it. Buggy's body was a whirlwind of daggers and body parts, cutting a swathe through the mass of bodies trying to pin him down. The body parts separating and going up and over the attackers, just to fall down with murderous intent wielding daggers, the whole front of the house was slick with blood and body parts and the screams of the dying. She wanted to puke, to cry, to get away from it all. Within two minutes, those who hadn't fled - all laid dead at the feet of the headless body of Buggy the Clown.
The body posed, one arm at his hip, the other flashing a peace sign. The sight might be comical if it wasn't for the literal massacre surrounding the gore covered body.
With strength she didn't know she had, Nami took a slow breath, turned back around, ignoring the blood on her face for now, (She's had worse…) and faced the nightmare, “Funny thing…” She said with a nervous laugh, “After stashing the treasure I completely lost track of your… “She searched for the right words, before ending it with a delicate, “Parts.”
Buggy's hand joined his head, just to stroke at his chin in thought, his body walking over to join him, seamlessly transitioning together a moment later. “You were somewhat helpful, so I'm going to ignore your betrayal, for now…” He spoke darkly, a dangerous look in his eyes. “Besides, I flashily lost my crew… Consider yourself flashily recruited to the Buggy Pirates!” Buggy's hands both detached to land on her shoulders squeezing them, Nami was very aware how the thumbs pressed against her neck. Oh kami was she aware, as she felt one of the thumbs tapping her carotid artery.
“Of course I'd love to join you, great Buggy-Sama!” Nami immediately agreed, self preservation was something she wasn't lacking in - she couldn't die yet, not until her village was safe. She hesitated for a moment, before reaching up and revealing her tattoo, deciding it was worth a shot at least. She really didn't want to go anywhere with Buggy, “Only, Arlong already made me his…”
Buggy stared at the tattoo blankly, giving Nami a sliver of hope that Arlongs reputation would be enough. Then he slowly snorted, before breaking out into mad cackling. Nami bit her lip at that and stood shock still, while waiting for the madness to simmer down. She was like a shivering mouse entangled in the body of a snake, just waiting for the snap of its jaws.
“Arlong is ~scary~,” Buggy sang, one of his hands rubbing against the tattoo roughly, making Nami recoil in barely hidden disgust. Thankfully the clown didn't notice, too entranced by the tattoo. “Once, I would have run the other way just hearing his name, hahaha…”
Buggy suddenly had streams of tears pouring down from his eyes, “My flashy crew is DEAD!” He wailed, “My ship has been DESTROYED!” The tears stopped flowing as Buggy’s mood switched on a dime and he snarled in hate and absolute rage, “That man, He did it! He kept me prisoner, he wanted my ability.” Buggy slammed his other hand into the bar counter, splintering it with a loud crack, shouting in her face, “I don't care anymore, I'll kill him, I'll kill them all, then I'll kill Arlong, then I'll kill everyone!” He raged, saliva dripping down his chin.
Nami winced, a fake smile plastered on her face, “I'll help you every step of the way, Captain Buggy!” She said subserviently. The man was obviously mad. So she'd need to play along until she could get away. He'd need to sleep eventually… Right?
Buggy's head zoomed off his neck and got nose to nose to Nami, making her gulp nervously, his insane eyes, pupils dilating wildly, staring into hers. “If you even think of betraying me again, girl, I'll take you apart one little piece at a time…” Buggy promised with dark intent, his rancid breath washing over Nami, the hand on her tattoo slipping down and cupping her left breast, freezing her in place, a spike of terror shooting up her spine, “Do not try me… I will flashily make you suffer…”
There's a moment of silence as Buggy stares into her soul and he must see the absolute terror and no,no,no that she's feeling. He backs off, seemingly satisfied, his hand moving away. Nami finds she can suddenly breathe again.
“Now… Tell me everything.”
Nami was left with no other good options, so slowly, she began with telling the insane pirate what she'd been up to on Torrance, and the reason she'd been conning the Wildcards.
I could really use a hand right now, Carina!
＊＊＊
Why is Nami never around when she could be useful… Carina thought with annoyance. She'd literally been saved by a hairs breadth with that cannon fire. Her and Nami's plans were pretty well ruined now, with the pirates she'd intended to trap and use - instead bowling over the gang she'd worked so hard to wrap around her fingers. They were the only ones with connections to the temple… And they had their fingers in every avenue of Torrance's society.
Carina would have to make do with these two, and hope Nami could move the mass of muscle with no brain cells - in one direction long enough to be useful. At least they were strong…
She flashed a brilliant smile at them as the Captain asked her what she wanted. She hopped up on the desk, doing her best to ignore all the people strewn about, dangling her legs casually, trying to instill a picture of calm, while her stomach was still subjected to a roller coaster of feelings. “I happen to know that the treasure that they based their little treasure hunt for, is real!”
She only smiled wider at their unimpressed looks. They needed her, if they wanted their crew to get out of Torrance without casualties. These two might make it, but surely the rest weren't at their level, they'd need help. And might come to some use as well…
“You guys are going to get it for me!” She chirped cheerfully, sending another assessing look at the goons on the floor.
This might actually work out better. If Nami could get the disposable meatheads into position, the two of them could steal everything while the pirates took on the real obstacles. It also would have the benefit of all their patsies likely taking all the fire and all the consequences, while she and Nami sailed away.
“Please work diligently!” She said, tilting her head cutely and winking at them. Taking pleasure in their unimpressed faces.
She lived for moments like these.
＊＊＊
Kaito was… Not in a bad mood, per say. More like… Very unimpressed with life at the moment.
He just wanted to enjoy an island with his crew. Have fun, mess around, maybe pick some fights at the end just to show off. The regular new island stuff.
And now this… He recognized Carina now. After seeing her cat got the canary style grin as she laid out her orders. She was Nami's old rival from the One Piece Gold movie, the master thief trying to scam Gild Tesoro.
Sooooo, Nami might be around - which yay! But also, this bitch somehow has his crew in a bit of a rough spot. Kaito had no doubt about his officers abilities in defeating whatever this city could throw at them…(Monks? Really?) But that amount of cannon fire would prevent his ship and assorted crew from being much help, stuck on the outside as they would be.
The strongest of them could handle cannon fire, sure… To an extent. There's a reason for why even at Marineford massed cannon fire was used. It's effective, there's only so many cannon balls the elite can take care of. So with Torrance's well defended walls, his crew on the outside was limited in their ability to assist.
And the regular crew members that are right now locked inside Torrance… They wouldn't be able to protect themselves from the city turning on them. Quantity didn't beat quality usually - but a whole city against half his crew… Yeah, Kaito wouldn't bet on his crew coming out on top there.
“I'll do this on my own.” Kaito said, eyes hard, as he stared down Carina. “Give me the information I need to know, I'll take care of it.” He snorted like a bull, feeling the stirring of real anger inside him, pointing at the smug thief and con artist. “You'll take Yoruichi and get my people out, now!”
Both women in the room with him angrily shook their heads and protested at the same time, before shooting matching lightning filled glares at each other.
“Dumb cow!”
“Cheap slut!”
Kaito snapped at the sniping women, “We're on a time limit here!”
“I still have connections, I can get them busy diverting and hiding your crew away for your…” Carina grinned evilly with a toothy shark-like grin, meeting Yoruichi's eyes. “Wh~ore!”
Yoruichi smiled pleasantly, meeting her gaze without hesitation before turning towards Kaito and indicating the grinning girl behind her with her thumb, “Right, so we're killing her and getting our people out, yeah?” She said matter of factly.
Kaito cut his hand through the air, meaning to make a point and cut through the arguments, accidentally adding power in his anger - forming an impromptu wind blade that smashed into the flooring crashing up dust and debris. He blinked in surprise as the two women shied away from the dust. Huh, I didn't mean that, sooo I can do tempest kicks with my arms too? Cool..
Carina cleared her throat, “Was that supposed to lead to anything?” She inquired warily.
Kaito stopped theorizing ways to use wind blades with all his limbs, trying to hide his sheepishness behind a stern look. Crossing his arms, “I'll go sack this temple for you,” He promised, “You'll go with Yoruichi and get my people out. Non-negotiable.” He stressed, when Carina adopted a mullish look.
“Why do you get a non-shit job?” Yoruichi groaned, making a face as she looked over at Carina, “I mean, you sure I can't just kill her?”
“Firstly I'm the Captain that's why!” Kaito said firmly, before he rolled his eyes, “You were a marine captain not that long ago, miss murder…” He chastised, making a hand sign quickly, potential asset. Advising Yoruichi that Carina could be useful.
Yeah, she was being annoying right now, but she'd be a potentially useful crew member, they could use the sneaky cunning type. Although she'd definitely need a lot more subtlety in the future and less of an ego to get anywhere. As long as his crew didn't get really hurt in this whole setup… He could make it work. If any of them were dead… Kaito's face hardened imperceptibly. Canon character or not. She'd die by his hands, he swore.
He and his first mate had hammered out a few useful non verbal signals in case of situations like these, like the one he just flashed Yoruichi. She'd caught it immediately, of course. But Yoruichi looked incredibly unimpressed with his order.
Her!? Her entire bearing seemed to scream, before she scoffed, tossed her hair across her shoulder and nodded shortly, “Fine. I won't kill her… At the moment.” She gave Carina a very unfriendly look, her eyes shining with something animalistic that made the girl reel back slightly, “Please give me an excuse…”
Carina gulped, before she shook her head quickly and pointed at Kaito accusingly, “Hey! I'm in charge here, what gives with giving out orders, huh?”
Kaito tilted his head slightly, narrowing his eyes, meeting Carina's defiant gaze. He let out some of his anger, his frustration at the situation, some of his hate. It was still steaming since his encounter with the Celestial Dragon, he sharpened the intent, and then tried to manifest it - like he had with said Dragon.
Carina suddenly scooted back so fast on the desk in a mad scramble, that she fell over to the other side, a terrified squeak escaping her. “Okay… You're in charge!” Carina squeaked, as she peeked over the desk, her eyes big and wide, her fingers trembling, grasping onto the edge, her knuckles white.
“Give me the information I need… Then let's get moving. I want to rendezvous with Archer and the others by morning time at the latest.” Kaito said seriously, speaking to both women. Yoruichi watching him with a raised eyebrow and pursed lips, Kaito knew he'd definitely have some questions coming his way after all this was done.
Carina stood up, a weak smile on her face, before she straightened her spine, her smile growing slightly more sharp, “Fine… I can work with this…” She stabbed a finger forward, “If you try to run off with the treasure yourself…” She warned, before trailing off as she realized she didn't have quite as much leverage as she had thought, scowling darkly at him, “Don't do it, is all I'm saying…” She muttered.
Kaito smirked, he figured she wouldn't be quite as gung ho on setting the city on his crew if she was in the middle of it all. Yoruichi would be able to keep the leash on her tight. “I just want my crew safe, keep your damn treasure.” He barked, “Give me the details, now!” He was done waiting.
“....Alright… So these monks up at the temple have been running these treasure hunts pretty much since Torrance himself croaked, right.” Carina explained, eyes flickering between Kaito and Yoruichi, her posture hesitant now, “Worshipping him like some god of luck, it's why gambling is like a sport here, everyone does it.” She made a dismissive gesture, “The actual treasure hunt is fake of course, a gimmick. But I found some really old tablets on…Uhh… Another job,” She said hurriedly, moving along, “The temple is where Torrance was buried and his treasure is supposedly buried with him! The monks have been guarding it this entire time.” She scoffed, rolling her eyes, “Apparently they believe that the gambling itself is holy and that winnings are immaterial.” She clenched a fist muttering to herself, “Religious people are the worst!”
“So your plan was a simple grave robbing job? Then why the con job with these losers? And trying to ensnare us in the first place.” Yoruichi asked, sniffing, “Doesn't seem all that hard, although I guess for some…” She trailed off with a condescending smirk.
Kaito had to admit his first mate had a point. From what he knew of Carina… And Nami, if they were still doing that partnership at this point in time - this didn't really sound outside their capabilities to sneak in and rob.
Carina blustered for a moment, before her shoulders slumped, “Ugh, fine… So the monks aren't exactly… Normal…” She said reluctantly.
“If these guys are undead I officially resign from the crew. Two out of two is just… Nope!” Yoruichi told Kaito in a not really serious… But kind of actually serious, voice.
Kaito scoffed, “They're not undead. What are the odds of that happening again?” Then he tilted his head and thought about it, realizing they were on an island of gambling, where they worshiped a god of Luck, so anything relating to bad odds might actually be possible. “They're not, are they?” He asked Carina, slightly dreading the answer.
Carina looked at them both with a weirded out expression on her face, “I don't even want to know… No they're not undead!” She snapped, holding a dainty hand against her head like she couldn't believe this discussion was happening, “They're just all really boring people…” She made a disgusted face, “That has nothing to do but spend twenty four hours a day practicing martial arts to protect their island of divine luck…”
“How many of them are there?” Kaito asked, grimacing slightly. Never underestimate the old men that spent a life on a mountain top. Manga had certainly taught him that. Still… This is East Blue, so it couldn't be that bad, surely.
“About 300 give or take some,” Carina said with a shrug, she noticed Yoruichi's judging look and reared up, snarling, “You try and get an exact number when they only ever leave that temple to kick pirates out or for the treasure hunt festival!”
Kaito and Yoruichi exchanged a look, Kaito speaking up, “So with the cannons firing, would the monks come down from their mountain? And what was your plan anyway with that many opponents?”
Carina grimaced, “There's probably already a detachment on the way to search the city.” She admitted, ducking her head at their glares, “And… There are fifty or so already in the city running the festival…” She wilted slightly, as the glares intensified, waving her hands in front of herself nervously, “I can still get your crew out, don't worry!”
“What. Was. The. Plan?” Kaito gritted out.
“I have… Someone that's pulled in one of the more excitable gangs, “Carina explained quickly, “They're supposed to be used as expendable muscle, too young and stupid to think the Monks strength is anything but myth. They'd riot and attack the monks in the city, which would mean the temple would empty of most of its inhabitants to come and suppress it, it's apparently happened before.“ Carina looked around the room, sighing, “I had these guys wrapped around my finger, they have connections all over the place, they'd shut the gates, deal with the normal guard regiment and create a lot of confusion to muddy the waters even worse.” She pouted, looking very put out as she sent them a weak glare, “Their leader is one of the only people in this city allowed to travel to the temple, he'd use the influence to go speak to their leader about the situation, with me and my partner as his totally expected eye candy.” She sighed dramatically, “And you two and your crew would have been perfect to blame it all on and give us that much extra time and another side for the monks to fight.”
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Kaito rubbed his chin thoughtfully, “Allowing you two to sneak around an almost empty temple, find the treasure and make off with as much of it as you can while the whole city is in complete turmoil and the monks have too many things to deal with to notice, let alone find, two lone thiefs.” He had to admit it wasn't half bad. Although ridiculously counting on the two of them managing to find the treasure quickly and carting it off undiscovered. He felt a thrill run through him, Nami was likely here then… He couldn't wait to introduce her to his crew. Her and Apple would probably get along really well. They both liked navigation and maps and stuff, people became friends easily with shared interests like that.
“Kind of ruthless… How many civilians would be harmed or killed in this riot?” Yoruichi said disapprovingly. She sent Carina an icy look, “Didn't think a hussy like you had it in them…”
Carina scoffed, “I'm sorry? Is the pirate lecturing me on civilian casualties?”
“She's not wrong.” Kaito said seriously, it was definitely more ruthless then he'd expected from Nami, perhaps that was Carina leading the plot?
Carina slumped against the desk, looking depressed, “The monks are notoriously against killing on purpose, they believe only their god gets to gamble with anyone's life,” She rolled her eyes violently, “Nuts, right? Either way it means it's unlikely anyone's going to die, they have no religious compunctions about breaking bones though.”
“I doubt the gangs fighting will feel the same about the monks, or the civilians caught in the crossfire.” Yoruichi said dryly. Shaking her head.
Carina just glowered at her, “No ones going to kill a monk, that's like sacrilege. Even the numbnuts Nami has corralled won't go that far!”
“Enough! This doesn't matter anymore. I'll go through these monks if I need to, you get my crew out.” Kaito ordered, nodding at Yoruichi who immediately appeared behind Carina, and ignoring her enraged yelp, pulled her up and over her shoulder.
“Lead the way, con slut!* She said carelessly, messing with her hair, messing it up, something that had the girl kicking her legs in protest.
“Don't you dare steal my treasure!” Carina shrieked at Kaito as she was carried away. Yoruichi gave him one last judging look, making Kaito sigh. He was going to catch so much flack for this. At least he had confirmation Nami was here.
He didn't really need to follow Carina's plan. There was no need to smash through the temple. With his abilities it should be easy enough to just walk in. He looked around, a thoughtful frown on his face. With these guys knocked out, the extra confusion won't happen, so even if Nami sets that gang into a riot, the monks could handle it without delay. The weather should help keep civilians out of the way too. He hummed, snorting softly, actually Nami might have planned it like that regardless of any intention from Carina. If this storm is supposed to last a day or two…It definitely seems like Carina just slapped us onto her plan randomly at seeing the chance.
Yes… The civilians should be out of the way. Carina would lead Yoruichi to his crew and ensure their safety. He was sure Yoruichi would find a way out of the city no matter if Carina would prefer to bunker down, she was resourceful, she'd find a way to get the crew out and he trusted Archer and Wire to find a way to link back up again with her.
That just left his part. Carina had been confident enough, even carried off, that if he didn't get the treasure she probably had some way of calling down the monks on them still. She was too self assured to be leaving this all up to chance, because Kaito could just steal it all and not give her a single gold coin. He'd already shown the woman he could destroy her with a look. So, she had an ace hidden in her sleeve then - how like a con artist.
No matter, he didn't need the treasure, he needed his crew safe. So monks, or Carina and whatever backstab she had planned. He'd figure it out and get it handled.
He started moving. He had a mountain to climb and a temple to rob.
He just really wished the god of luck thing wasn't actually real. He did not want a bad luck curse going into the grand line.
＊＊＊
“Where are we going?” Yoruichi snapped out, still carrying the protesting Carina, uncaring of the deluge, absolutely soaking her and her guide. Some weather didn't matter in the face of her crewmates drinking and partying the night away having no idea what could happen at any moment.
Hopefully they'd noticed the cannon fire and taken precautions… And didn't do anything stupid to draw attention to themselves.
Oh, who was she kidding about that…
Carina shrieked, as a loud echo of thunder broke across the alleyway Yoruichi was running through, her arms latching onto her midriff with sudden need, “We're going to freeze to death! Or become charred husks in a lightning strike!” She wailed out, kicking her legs out uselessly.
Yoruichi rolled her eyes at the dramatics, it was just some water and thunder, civilians, she scoffed. She stopped before exiting the alleyway, addressing the lump of useless con artist over her shoulder, “Hey, I'm talking to you, slut! Pay attention, where is my crew!?”
Carina slammed her fists into Yoruichi's stomach, only succeeding in hurting her hands, muttering out, “What the hell are you made of?” Before reorienting, gaining a shark like mien, “Hey, where's the female solidarity? Stop calling me a slut!?” She yelled, the rolling sound of thunder almost drowning her out.
Yoruichi wiped her face, immediately beset by more rain whipping into her face, making it an exercise in futility, “Excuse me? You called me a whore!?” She yelled back, “I'm not the one on my knees to a whole gang of slimey losers to get what I wanted…” She pointed out snidely. This girl just rubbed her all the wrong ways.
Carina squawked in outrage, “I never!” She shrieked, uselessly hitting Yoruichi again, “I can control men just fine without… That!”
“Sure you can…” Yoruichi patted her on the head condescendingly, before blinking and realizing she'd allowed herself into a stupid argument again. This woman! “Where is my crew!?” She bit out, pulling Carina's head back by her hair, so she could stare into her face, an ice cold expression on her face.
Carina refused to meet her eyes, worrying her bottom lip with her teeth for a moment. “Some of the gang members would have invited them to a party by now… Get them all together in one place, make it easier for a full blown fight…”
Yoruichi snorted, the air misting in front of her in the cold weather, “Of course you did.” She shook her head slightly, still gripping the woman's hair harshly, “Where?”
Carina squirmed in her grip, “Through this alley, then maybe five minutes walking downwards before taking a right by the candle shop and then a left into the alley with a sign of a broken wheel. Only…” She trailed off uncomfortably.
“Only…?” Yoruichi asked suspiciously.
“The monks… The gang members would have kind of… you know…”
Yoruichi sighed explosively, dropping the girl's head back down again, “They've reported the location to the monks. Of course they have. And how exactly do you plan on avoiding their attention?”
“There's a hidden tunnel underneath a bar only a couple minutes away from where the ambush location is, if you can handle the gang, we can take the tunnel and end up in a warehouse near the eastern wall, a good place to hole up.” Carina explained, hanging limply, looking altogether done with the weather and the situation.
Yoruichi didn't trust her sudden cooperation one bit, but she'd go with it for now. “We're not turtling up…” She said determinedly, “I have my orders, we'll take your little hideout for now, and then you'll find me a way out of the city.” She gave the girl a light slap over the head making her squeak, before she stepped out of the alleyway. Just to freeze.
“No fucking way!” Carina groaned under her breath.
Yoruichi silently agreed. What was their luck…
Coming down the street was a procession. Walking double file, wearing plain brown robes, the hoods deep and hiding their features, they were the monks of Torrance. They walked in perfect silence, Yoruichi's sensitive ears couldn't even hear their boots hit the cobblestone street. At the front, back and at the sides, walked monks carrying steel poles from which sole lanterns hung, shining a light over the somber procession in the falling night and torrential downpour. She counted 21 monks in total.
Three monks broke off the procession to approach, Yoruichi cursed under her breath, tightening her hold on Carina.
The lead monk stopped a few paces in front of them, tilting his head slightly, the hood still hiding him completely, “Citizen… Explain your situation?” A mild voice asked, barely heard over the storm.
Yoruichi smiled, “Just on our way home, got caught in the storm, you see.”
The monk tilted his head the other direction, Yoruichi felt like she was being evaluated, eyes roaming over her. She gritted her teeth and tried to maintain her pleasant smile.
“Your musculature is impressive,” He intoned blandly, one hand raising, a finger held up, “Not, I think, the body of a civilian.” The procession of monks creepily all switched their heads to look in their direction at the same time, “Our God is great, luck shines upon us, a pirate in our hands already.” The monk nodded decisively and several more monks broke out of their procession.
Yoruichi prepared for a fight only to squeak, cheeks red as she almost jumped into the air, “Carina!”
Carina slowly and teasingly slid her hand back out from where she'd boldly stuck it, unseen to Yoruichi she had a mischievous look on her face, looking up at the monk from her hanging position, “Just petting the kitty, sweetie, just can't wait to get home.” She purred, eyes half lidded, “Me and my girlfriend are just heading home after a night of very good luck!” She explained to the monk, “very good…” She licked her lips salaciously, “Her muscles are great for carrying me home and… Other activities…”
Yoruichi couldn't believe what she was hearing, and also had to keep her instincts at bay from tossing the con artist at the nearest wall for so casually… Doing that! Her eyes grew wide as she saw the leading monk hold a hand up, pausing the diverting procession.
“You've had good gambling tonight then, citizen, Torrance blesses you. Be well and be warned, pirates are in the area.” The monk said, some more life in his bland voice, before turning back towards his group.
“I don't care that it worked, you're paying for that stunt as soon as we're done!” Yoruichi hissed down at Carina, still red cheeked.
Carina giggled, hiding her mouth behind a hand, “The kitty doesn't like being pet?” She teased. Gaining a low growl from Yoruichi.
A loud cackle drew their attention, someone jumping off a nearby roof to land in front of the procession with a splash.
“Oh, no! Pirates are in the ar~ea!” Buggy the Clown shouted, spreading his arms wide, leering at the monks, “What a tragedy!”
Yoruichi felt ice cold, and the rain had nothing to do with it. If Buggy was free… What about…
The monks all as one, raised their fists and slid into a martial stance. “Pirate. Stand down and accept justice.” The lead monk stated slowly, walking in front of the procession to stand before Buggy.
“Justice? Hahaha,” Buggy laughed darkly, lightning flashing overhead, “Justice… IS BLIND!” He roared, thumbs detaching from his hands and impacting the lead monk, the man letting out a low gasp but nothing more. The rest of the monks standing ready but not moving into action.
“Hehe, eye popping is fuuun!” Buggy laughs, before frowning, wiggling his hands as his thumbs come flying back, the hood of the lead monk falling back. “That's cheating!” Buggy whined, looking despondent, “No leaky eye juice…” He moaned, shoulders slumping.
Yoruichi and Carina stared, the monk was blind. Not only blind… He had an obviously self-inflicted cut across his eyes. How had he seen her then? Yoruichi shuddered, but she had more important questions to ask right now, she slid Carina off her shoulder, giving her a stern look, “Stay… If I have to track you down,” She thumbed her nose meaningfully, “I will make you regret it!”
Carina could only nod, shivering in the rain as she hugged the wall, seeing the tableau set up for violence ahead of her.
“Luck is blind, not justice. Torrance lost his eyesight before he ascended to godhood, so we, his chosen, follow that path in his name.” The lead monk said, sounding more firm now as he straightened his back. “Justice is not blind, pirate. You gamble with god on this night.”
“Gambling is what pirates do!” Buggy cackled, showcasing a one beri coin, tossing it in the air, a murderous grin appearing on his face, “Heads I murder you! Tails… I flashily murder you!” He roared, splitting in half to avoid the lead monk's sudden palm strike, the monk having closed the distance in under a second.
Buggy's two halves each strike with hands holding daggers, just to be kicked away at the last second as Yoruichi flies in with a roundhouse kick, getting both sides of his body and kicking them away from the monk. “What did you do to my crew!?” She spat out, standing before the monk, sparing him only a glance to check he hadn't been stabbed.
Before Buggy could answer, Yoruichi had to flip away, the monk striking against her. “What's wrong with you!? I just saved your life!” She yelled.
“You are a pirate causing havoc in Torrance.” The monk said with religious fervor, continuing to hound her, somehow following her even without sight. The other monks join the action, half moving towards Yoruichi the other towards Buggy.
“YOU!? You're part of that man's crew, I'll kill you and rape your corpse!” Buggy roared at Yoruichi, rocketing forward, soaring through the air, managing to cut through three monks before he's forced to split to manage the men in front of him, “Don't go anywhere girl! You're mine! Just need to teach some kids about the dangers of gambling first…”
Yoruichi growled as she dodged the strikes of the monks, they were fast. Not as fast as her, but with several of them attacking at once and trying to corral her into being surrounded - it wasn't an ideal situation. Her eyes narrowed as she spotted Buggy slaughtering his way through his half, only to stop and laugh madly, using slain monks body parts to fight the others, slivers of his own body holding them up. “You're going after me when that's going on?” She shouted to the monks attacking her. And what the hell had happened to Buggy? He wasn't like this before!
“They gambled on the wrong opponent and lost.” One monk said, and unknowingly sealed their fate.
Yoruichi growled loudly, no need to hold back for people so willing to see comrades die, after all. She felt herself grow as she tapped into her Zoan, her body expanding, her limbs growing longer, stronger, claws sharp and deadly appearing at the end of thick strong fingers, the ears and snout growing into place, vastly enhancing her senses. She let out a roar, showing off her sharp teeth capable of crushing stone, “Don't you dare look down on me as a pirate when you're sacrificing your comrades like that!”
The fight was on.
＊＊＊
“Carina, what the hell?” Nami said, shaking her friend/partner/rival's shoulder, having climbed down from the rooftop upon seeing her friend arrive and that Buggy was occupied. She blanched and just barely dodged as Carina shrieked and flashed a fist towards her face.
“Nami!?” Carina gasped, pulling back her fist, her face filled with fear, which soon disappeared under a mask as Carina collected herself and smiled bitingly, “What happened to your part of the plan, huh?” She pushed her forehead against Nami's challengingly.
Nami gasped, offended despite knowing that Carina was deflecting, “My part? Since when did the plan involve a… What is she? A purple werewolf!?” Nami bitched, pushing her own forehead against Carina's, trying to push her back, both their eyes meeting, glaring at each other.
The sound of cackling and body parts hitting the street had both drawn back, holding onto each other, pressing against the wall.
“We need to get out of here!” Nami hissed, eyes fearful as she followed Buggy playing with the monks, using their own body parts to smack them around, drawing the suffering out.
Carina bit her lip harshly, “We can't…” She whispered into Nami's ear, their proximity making her heard, “That woman's captain is robbing the temple for us, if we leave now we lose everything.”
“She can't beat Buggy and he'll kill us. And that's if we're lucky!” Nami retorted hotly. Her body shivering, not from the cold of the rain, but the memories of the things Buggy could do and had threatened to.
Carina held on to Nami, a stubborn look on her face, her hair plastered to her face. “We wait and see.” She said firmly, stopping Nami's protest with a hand over her mouth, “We wait and see.” She grit out, before grimacing and removing her hand, “Really, what are you? Five?” She complained.
“Don't put your hand on my mouth then, and why does it taste fishy?” Nami complained.
Carina smirked, “I'll tell you when you're older.”
＊＊＊
Archer hated having responsibility thrust upon him. He was the one that should be in the middle of the action throwing down, not the one making choices for others.
“You know what you need to do?” He asked for the umpteenth time.
Duel just rolled her eyes, ignoring him, as she strapped on yet another weapon. Looking like walking artillery already with that giant bazooka of hers strapped across her back.
“You're gonna piss her the fuck off if you don't leave her alone.” Wire warned, from where he was standing at the railing looking towards the distant island, barely visible in the storm.
“I don't like this plan.” Archer replied irritably, stomping forward to stand next to Wire, hands clenching hard around the railing, making it creak.
Wire scoffed, “Grow the fuck up, I don't like a lot of things, I still gotta do em!” He had a distant look as he continued to stare forward.
Archer took a deep breath, putting aside his own concerns for the moment, he put a hand on Wire's shoulder, “They'll be fine, Kaito and Yoruichi will look after them.”
“And if Buggy finds them first?” Wire snapped, dragging a hand through his mohawk roughly, “We should have wasted that motherfucker to begin with, we've got three people in the infirmary as is, and obviously no idea what the fuck he's capable of.”
“We did know he was part of the pirate king's crew, we just didn't take it seriously. That's on all of us.” Archer said seriously, hand squeezing the quartermaster's shoulder comfortingly, “He won't be able to match Yoruichi, let alone Kaito. Trust me on that.” He looked behind them both, frowning, “And we're sending in Duel… And she's…”
“Murderously enraged.” Wire supplied dryly, before sighing, giving one last look towards the distant city. “Alright, I'm done fucking moaning, no need to massage my balls anymore.”
“Must you phrase it like that?” Archer said with a pained expression.
“I want to go too!” Blackjack suddenly interjected himself between them, staring up with a mullish look on his face.
“Sure,” Wire said casually, getting a bug eyed look from everyone on the deck. “Just convince Duel.”
Blackjack squirmed, glancing over at Duel who was obsessively checking her gear over while constantly cursing under her breath, practically steaming in the cold weather she was so enraged. “Uh, but you're the boss?” He tried.
Archer raised an unimpressed eyebrow, “Actually right now I'm the boss…” He grimaced, “Unfortunately…” He looked at Duel with a conflicted expression, “Duel has her team, you're not going on it without her permission, I'm not going over her head on who she feels comfortable with for this.”
“Aww, come on man, I'll never get to do anything like that.”
“Good, now fuck off and go keep watch over Apple,” Wire growled, a vein twitching on his neck, “Like you're supposed to be doing!”
Blackjack blanched and scampered off before Duel could realize Apple was unattended. Duel had not taken recent events well.
Duel finished checking her gear as Blackjack slipped inside, stomping over to Archer and Wire, followed by Dice, Tears and Needles. “Go?” She asked, eyes cold.
Archer sighed, rubbing his temples, eyeing the storm, “Aye, if you think you can make it. Their visibility should be practically zero… As will yours…” Not to mention the risks of using a rowboat to approach an island in a storm…
“We can still deposit you on the other side, less fucking risk, you're being stupid due to emotion, woman.” Wire grumbled, hands in his pockets.
“Go. Now!” Duel insisted, showing a smile that was all teeth.
“You heard the boss, Wire!” Tears joked weakly, “We'll find a way in.” He said more seriously, the rest of the team nodding along, all looking ready for war.
Wire grumbled some more, before he stepped right into Duel's space, putting his mouth to her ear, “You find that girl who fucked with Apple… Leave nothing behind, got me?”
Duel's lips twisted into a snarl, eyes flashing, she didn't need to reply, Wire saw the answer in her expression, he stepped away, giving the team a quick nod, feeling grimly pleased.
Archer wasn't sure what was said, but he felt worried about this team. Ideally he would be going instead, but he was the strongest crew member still remaining on the ship and needed to remain in case any ships were sent against them. Duel was running too hot right now, he wasn't sure she was the best choice to insert into an already volatile situation.
As they prepared to depart, he stood with crossed arms and worried. Tears and Dice had known her for a long time, and would hopefully be a more stabilizing influence than Wire, who he suspected was egging her on.
Worse was the feeling that he wasn't sure which one of them had the right idea about things.
At least they were taking Needles as well, showing that they weren't solely thinking of firepower. The man's drugs and tinctures might get them in without a commotion, surely a festival would mean there would be ways to enter from the land side.
Yoruichi… You better be okay! It should be you here giving orders…
Archer continued to worriedly stare at the distant city as Duel's team set off.
How he wished he could be fighting right now.
＊＊＊
Kaito had quickly given up on traversing his way up the mountain the normal way. The darkness, the wind, the rain, it was just slippery, rocky hell.
Not that his backup solution made him feel that much better. Using Moonwalk up the mountain while in the middle of a storm was testing his limits to the extreme on the ability. The wind pushing down against him, the chill from the rain and wind combined, it was a purely miserable experience. But at least he wasn't stumbling over rocks anymore.
It was notably quicker. There was that at least. He let out a breath of relief as he approached the temple, it's white marble structure standing out against the backdrop of the mountain, its more classical look standing out even more so from the blocky look of Torrance. He set down in an open courtyard, drenched to the bone, he couldn't feel his fingertips, that was probably a bad sign, right?
Despite the storm raging overhead, it was eerily silent in the courtyard. Kaito couldn't spy any sign of the monks that made this temple their home. He quickly walked out of the courtyard and entered through an open doorway. Letting out a sigh of relief at immediately encountering a lit brazier crackling in front of him. Warming his hands up as he crouched in front of it, his head was on a constant swivel looking around for threats.
The structure was barely lit up on the inside, it was surprisingly dark and filled with shadows for a supposedly holy place. The walls around him were unadorned, very dissimilar from the beautifully done outside of the temple.
As soon as he could feel his hands again, he rose up, still no sign of opposition coming for his illegal entry. It was a temple, so any treasure or ‘holy’ place - should be in the middle.
He started walking, wincing at the sloshing sound his boots made. Well he wasn't here to go about things like Nami and Carina in the first place. If he could get the treasure without a fight, all the better. But sneaking in wasn't really in his wheelhouse.
That said, he'd prefer not to bulldoze his way through the temple, that's how a guy gets a bad luck curse. Also he really didn't want there to be some old man super fighter - who'd sat on a mountain top for a few decades, as a cliche boss fight.
As he continued to walk inwards, he found no residents and a continuing lack of ornaments, which was very odd. The temple worked somewhat like a spiral, heading ever more inwards - the darkness becoming total once he entered the final sanctum.
Fucking monks, He thought with annoyance, they apparently didn't have much use for possessions or decorations, but to forego lights as well. What was up with these people? Aren't they monks of gambling and luck or something, shouldn't they have a casino up here? Or anything?
Flames suddenly flared up at every corner of the room in braziers. Making Kaito roll his eyes, “Very dramatic. A+ for effort.” He said sarcastically.
As the room became visible he drew in his breath, shocked. Because on a pedestal in the middle of the room, overlooked by a statue of who he was assuming was Torrance himself, was a devil fruit.
Is this… Torrance's treasure?
“Yes it is.” An old genial voice said from right behind him.
＊＊＊
Yoruichi tried. She really did. But taking it easy on these zealots wasn't working. And with their disregard for their comrades, she eventually had to start putting her full force into her strikes, cracking skulls and breaking necks.
She kept both her ears and nose on Buggy, to ensure he wouldn't strike her while she was busy bowling over the monks, with his splitting ability he was uniquely capable of hitting her unawares.
She grimaced as she struck down another monk, crushing his ribcage with a double fisted strike. The stench of blood from Buggy's side was overpowering. The mad man practically bathed in it as he skipped around cackling, playing with cut off limbs like a little girl playing with her dolls. Utterly disturbing.
The monks were unrelenting, forcing her to put them all down, their silent relentless assault off putting, almost as much as the discovery they were all blind, and somehow still fought better than most of her previous marine underlings could.
She dispatched the last monk with a strong stomp on his neck, crushing it beneath her foot, grimacing at the absolute mess the street was in, the downpour doing nothing in washing off the blood and gore, it was that spread out and encompassing.
“Buggy… How did you get free?” She growled out, cracking her knuckles, part of her feeling ice cold, Archer surely wouldn't have let the man escape…?
Buggy tilted his head so far it tumbled off his neck, the clown cackling as he caught it in his hands and juggled it for a second. “Whaaat? Are you worried? Kitty cat?” He taunted, his grin widening creepily until it looked almost inhuman.
“Beat it out of you it is.” Yoruichi scoffed, why she even bothered trying to talk to the mad man she couldn't say. With a powerful leap she was upon him.
Buggy seemed unprepared, just watching her with big eyes, until her claws was just upon him, at which point he melted away like she was a knife cutting through butter, his body sliding apart and away from her strike, parts flowing around her, forcing her to leap into the air to avoid the dagger strikes to her kidneys that were incoming.
“Miiistake!” Buggy shouted gleefully, his hands flying into the air after her.
Yoruichi couldn't maneuver fast enough and took a hit to the chin and one to the sternum, thankfully from non dagger wielding parts, a loud gasp erupting from her as she twisted in the air punching the body parts away, finally landing, spitting some blood out of the side of her mouth. The guy hit hard.
Unseen to Yoruichi several minor parts of Buggy had detached from him and hidden amongst the strewn body parts on the street as she was hit.
“Come at me, red nose!” Yoruichi taunted, raising her fists. She needed to feel the clown and his abilities out a bit.
As she suspected Buggy practically exploded at the taunt. Flying apart at the seams, literally. A barrage of dozens of body parts flying her way, his screeching head leading the way.
She smirked as she punched at his face, putting a lot of power behind the hit. He might not be able to be cut, but a blunt strike would still do damage. To her utter frustration he proved his capabilities with his devil fruit once again, his face splitting apart around her hand, closing back up again as it flew over her arm and headbutted her, staggering her back. She immediately dropped to all fours, avoiding the coming strikes coming at her with sharp implements.
She might have miscalculated about the ease of this fight, she thought, as she rolled away as the flying limbs stabbed down at her, just barely missing her. The cackling clown head floating above her, “Ahh, look at the kitty play!”
She roared in frustration as every strike she returned, missed. A dozen flying missiles had both the speed and the maneuverability to be incredibly hard to hit, and a real danger to her continued health. She kicked away a dagger held in one of the flying hands, cracking the cobblestone street as she exploded forward, aiming for the head.
To her frustration, Buggy simply split apart again, avoiding her. “Stand and fight you bastard!” She growled, a lull in the fight having the two combatants standing ten feet apart glaring at each other.
“I might be mad, but I'm not stupid, bitch.” Buggy spat, licking his lips, his body splitting apart again. His eyes flickered to the side for a moment, making Yoruichi glance in that direction as well, finding an orange haired girl together with Carina.
“That's the girl who let me out, to wreak havoc on your crew…” Buggy crooned in a slimy tone. “I killed so many of them, the cannons did the ~rest~.”
Yoruichi felt a cold hand grasp her heart as she stopped breathing for a moment. “You're lying.” She accused him, he is, he must be!
Normally she wouldn't believe Archer could lose, but… She was having a lot of trouble hitting the mass of flying body parts. It only took one well placed dagger…
“His feet don't float or move to attack!” Carina yelled suddenly, before the orange haired girl literally jumped on her to make her shut up, Yoruichi gave her a minimal amount of credit for providing valuable Intel.
Yoruichi immediately took advantage, rushing forward to strike while Buggy was glaring at the interference. This time as Buggy split apart, she dodged but continued on, targeting the feet, if she could get and eliminate those parts of him, perhaps it would impact his ability. Or at the very least give him less to use against her.
Buggy's feet immediately began running away once he saw her targeting them, barely avoiding her claws as she combat rolled under a strike from a forearm and a knee, both attempting to slam down on her. Yoruichi felt some triumph, the feet were running, not flying.
“Get away from my feet you freak!” Buggy screeched, eyes bulging out of his head. His body sliding in and reattaching, protecting his feet. Yoruichi was now even more sure that his feet had something to do with his ability or at least the flying part of it.
She finally got a hit in, as Buggy got distracted trying to come together again and protect his feet, while frantically dodging, his body splitting to avoid her clawed strike against his heart, avoiding it, but not her fist impacting his cheek, breaking something as it crunched, his head rocketing off his body to slam into a nearby wall, cracking it.
Buggy's body collapsed, Yoruichi breathing heavily as she stared down at it with hard eyes. He better have been lying about killing her crew mates… She sent a glare over at the girl that had jumped on Carina, and about that too…
She sighed, feeling some of the adrenaline leaking off as she watched Buggy's head slowly slide down the wall, no sign of consciousness. At least for all his skill at avoidance and strength in his hits, he had a real glass jaw and was easily distracted.
She flexed her clawed fingers, “Sorry, Kaito… But I'm not taking prisoners right now.” She muttered, one clawed hand to the heart should be enough.
She heard screams behind her and twisted to see the two girls screaming at her, the words lost on her as she felt the impact, her world shifting.
She looked down, feeling odd, weak. She grasped lightly at the handles of daggers stuck in her torso.
How had Buggy managed to hide three daggers from her. Damn it she couldn't smell anything anymore due to all the blood…
Sloppy of her…
Sloppy…
She fell.
＊＊＊