Continuing their journey throughout West Blue. Baroque Works would be setting sail for the home base of one of their greatest rivals when it came to the territory of West Blue. Thaddeus had been beefing with the Assassin's guild since before he was thrown out of Kano by mysterious circumstances. The Assassin's guild name struck fear into the hearts of the citizens, and if Thaddeus wanted to be recognized as leader he needed to confront West Blue's fears of the League of Assassins. However they were some interpersonal issues that the crew needed to speak about amungst themselves.
"I'm sorry you had to see me like that."
Thaddeus would say to Miss. 3 whom was seated right beside him at the meeting table. It wasn't his intention to startle Sam with his thuggish behavior, but she would learn, if she wanted to survive especially on the seas as a wanted criminal. First thing she would need to be was crafty, smart always planning ahead and planning for disaster. Second, she would need to be ruthless. Enforcing the consequences of getting on your bad side.
"But you're a wanted criminal now as well Misses 3. You'll come to understand the method of my madness."
There wasn't much more to be said about the issue, a greater task was storming the Assassin's Guild and killing every member whom didn't submit to Baroque Work's might. Which in itself wouldn't be an easy task. In fact Thaddeus expected many of the weaker members of the organization to die. They were going up against an entire floating hang out of a secret society of trained killers after all. It wasn't the average hit and run on a village or town that the gang would usually pull, this operation was much bigger, much more at stake. Mr. 0 would know this more then anyone else, as he was a member of the Assassin's Guild in the past.
Burnt foliage. It was the last thing Yusuke remembered while traveling around the sky islands. It was there that he and a old criminal plotted to take an individual into custody. Just as they reached and quickly took custody of the target, the appearance of the “proper authorities” forced the duo to make an escape. By burning what was a giant beanstalk, the two had made the ultimate getaway.
And yet it surprised him. A island in the sky. He’d heard tale that the sky islands were separated from the bule sea islands by boundaries man could never hope to imagine, but it was just a mound of dirt amongst the clouds. This observation, while frank and largely uninformed, was spot on for all intents and purposes.
But he was home now, back at it again on the blue sea. With no idea how to find his old pal outside of calling, sailing around on that rinky dink boat with a compass was all we was good for. It wasn’t long after this that Yusuke gave up. What was the point if he’d almost gotten lost. Waiting wasn’t an option he wanted to entertain nor was it his intention. So getting lost was about as close as he was going to get to joining up with that damned Dokuganryu.
It wasn’t until he docked on a particular island that he took some time to rest. The rocking of the waves carried him adrift through a peaceful slumber, and yet after what was less than an hour did he awaken. The stench of bloodlust filled his sixth sense. Air gave way as a highly sharpened tool traveled straight for a certain pompadoured man’s clavicle. Turning viciously to his side, a sickle lodged itself into the wooden floorboard of his small boat. A chain had been attached to its handle end, clearly used as a slight tug straightened it out before dragging the main tool out of its brief new home in Yusuke’s boat. And yet when he looked for an assailant, there was none. Only foliage, various sand dunes, and a rocky shore would look back at him. Just then a slight glimmer flashed from the foliage past the rocky shore. Another rapid strike came for his head, this time from a lateral angle. However trained this individual was, Yusuke was better. Using one of his many tricks, Yu caused a section of his arm to hardened before leading it straight for the sickle and chain. The tip of the blade broke, surprising the assailant. In one motion, the chain attached had been wrapped around Yusuke’s arm before he yanked with all his might.
With his attacker out in the open he motioned to strike with his chain wrapped arm. Just before coming within striking range a blur came from underneath the attacker, a counter that had brought the ankle and foreleg of the attacker to the wrist of the angered punk before opening up his stance. With quick use of his trained body, Yusuke lunged forward in an attempt to tackle and pin this random killer only to almost get shanked in the process. With quick thinking he smacked the hidden weapon from the assailant’s grasp before landing on the shore. In a brief moment both prepared to kill the other without hesitation. In a flash the Great Punk was outflanked and an inch from death, or at least he had set things up that way. With a single back-flap Yu took the high road, or the air as he used the chain connecting them to bind his opponent just before pulling off some crazy Rock Lee type s**t as he heated his chained arm. The heat traveled to the section wrapped around its former master just before being impaled by a scorching fist.
Much to his own surprise, as baroque works prepared their assault on the assassin's guild, an assault was already taking place within the guild. As the Valhalla would pull up on the docks of the assassin's guild Thaddeus and his men were shocked to find no direct opposition. Instead a smoldering ruin. "Whatya think happened here?" One man would ask a bit revealed they didn't have to fight for control of the dock. Standing there with a grim face Thaddeus could only imagine what kind of enemy would be necessary in order to complete this level of destruction. Entering the lower chambers of the guild. Thaddeus and his men would step over the bodies of atleast 100 dead or dying assassins. Looking around very carefully Thaddeus had ordered his men to check the bodies. First in order to make sure this wasn't some kinda ruse. Then second to find one whom was barely alive and interrogate him. There must have to have been someone who could tell them what kinda danger they were facing. Looking through charred remains, One of the millions members would stumble across a live one!
"Hey boss! We got one over here!" The man would say, parading around a beaten Assassin. Thaddeus pushing through the crowd of his own men, would go about meeting face to face with the defeated man, The ginger haired man itchy trigger fingers latched onto the Assassin's collar bringing him up to eye level. "What happened here!" Thaddeus would command to know. Shouting down the Assassin, however simple shouting wouldn't work on this man, a silent trained killer. The most basic forms of torture wouldn't even work on him. Do you think simple shouting would scare him. In an act of rebellion, the wounded assassin would spit in the face of the one eye'd captain. His bloody mouth never revealing a word... And now he wouldn't get a chance. If these men wanted death Thaddeus and his gang would happily oblige them. Taking out one of his pistols Thaddeus would press the barrel of the gun to the man's throat. Ending his misery right there, with spit and blood all over him Thaddeus would approach the next survivor. "How about you?" Leaning forward, the shootist would jam the hot barrel of his gun against the ninja's head. "Do you have any information for me?" He would pause for a moment waiting. "Guess not." He would say pulling the trigger once more.
I guess the crew was just going to have to find out, tough sons of b*tches those assassins were, they truly didn't fear death. Which was actually terrifying. So terrifying in fact that Thaddeus felt like he should kill all of them. Especially if they were the type to hold grudges. Moving through the lair Thaddeus and crew all had their weapons drawn ready to confront the danger they knew they had waiting for them. The lower they got into the Assassin's Guild lair the hotter it got, so hot in fact. That sweat was beginning to pour out of them. As temperatures reached drastic highs Thaddeus and his men could now audably hear fighting. All manner of fierce groans and other gross noises, Mr. 0 thought it best to sneak around, they had no idea whom they were up against. And clearly neither did the Assassins. They'd pinpointed the fighting to one room. They could tell because the doorway of the room had been burnt clear through. "On my mark, light every son of a b***h in that room up!" Thaddeus would say, leading his men into the frey.
What they would see there would truly be a sight to see. Red hot magma at their feet. "Woah! woah! woah! Everyone stop!" One man would call, scurrying away from the oozing magma. Thaddeus and party would stop dead in their tracks, blockaded by the cooling magma in front of them. However through the blaze, Baroque Works could make out the perfectly combed Pompadour they came to know and love. South Blue's very own hothead Hijashitaka Yusuke in the flesh! This was the first time the gang had seen him since the timeskip. Watching the magma man plow through enemies. It seemed Yusuke had beaten Thaddeus to the punch, not surprising. He'd probably come looking for a fight with the Assassin's guild because one of them made the foolish decision to try and assassinate him. Thaddeus and his men would simply watched barred by Yusuke's devil fruit abiility, Mr. 1 had finally revealed himself! With the rest of the organization watching Yusuke would be confronted by a massive, highly skilled assassin. Stoic as ever the man would charge into battle. While Thaddeus knew Yusuke was strong... he wasn't all that strong. He'd ever awakened his haki so he was about evenly matched with this Haki using assassin. Watching the man's blacken limb clash hard against Yusuke's magma block it seemed that the bout was evenly matched. That was until Yusuke's destructive capabilities met with his own monsterous rage. Causing him to unleash a burst of magma that would force even Thaddeus to jump back. The heat that Yusuke could generate was insane, prolonged exposure to such high tempatures could cause some internal damage if you weren't careful. "Come on men, Let's leave this to Mr. 1!" Thaddeus would say running back to his ship. While Yusuke was doing all the heavy lifting Thaddeus and his men would prepare for their departure or potential sinking of the base. While Thaddeus did want to keep it and use if for his operations to come. He was unsure of there would be anything left after Yusuke's rampage. Climbing to safety the crew would wait for Yusuke's return, return to the world of piracy, and return to the crew. With Mr. 1 back at his post, Baroque Works would regain it's steam and steadily move forward with their master plan of conquering the west. With their major competitor the Assassin's Guild gone, No one would have the muster or the influence that Thaddeus did on this side of the globe. Smiling he would wait for this one to come out in tomorrow mornings sunday paper. With that Baroque works would convert their newly defeated foes into their newly made allies.
What was it that he was feeling right now? That obscurity in the back of his head, constantly nipping at the buds of his ears then stretching around the ends of his chin. Ever since he'd left her Hunter felt more than just his usual loneliness - he was shaken to his core. Everything that she was, everything that he saw reminded him of another time. Another place. Many many years back when he still roamed the land, alive. A young man carrying out the duty of his dear goddess. Slaying without thought or question, for their was no need to. If she asked then he followed suit. That was it and that was all. And yet, even still, everything had gone to s**t on its own. She'd left him in his time of need when there was nothing but dark. When the needed her the most, she vanished. And now he was nothing more than a roaming husk - a deadman left with little reminiscence towards who or even what he was. Hunter. . That was the name he took now, considering Ibiki had died long ago with his art.
Cruel was the fate of man and woman alike . Cruel was the timing of God's turn and even crueler was the sharp edge of a man's desire to be something he knew he just couldn't be.
There was a new stop on his trip. Barbos needed an island of assassins either put under thumb or wiped from existence. Both something he could easily accomplish. As the boat drifted onward to his destination, Hunter's crimson glare rose from the brim of his cap and looked out onto the lone building in the middle of nowhere. Nothing but this island? They must've been trying to keep their wits about them. "Hidin' all the way out here huh? It's a good place to be if you're tryna' lie low, that's for sure." A quaint hiding spot, but when you make deals with the devil you leave a trail of embers behind for anyone to pick up on. And with his past tracking experience Hunter could eventually find anyone, anywhere. It'd take little to no time at all after having gotten their scent.
His arrival wasn't anything hidden. It never was. As the waves brought him to his destination, wooden clogs stepped across to the boarding dock and with resounding steps, he began walking on down with blade over hos shoulder - a smile on his features. Demonic was the gaze as he stared outward, but just as he was about to reach the end.
THUNK!
An arrow landed right in front of him. That was it. There we go! They'd already been alerted of his arrival, as expected. They'd be shitty assassins if they, at the least, didn't keep track of their own turf. "Who are you and why have you come?" A voice spoke from the shadows as quiet steps took the edges about him. Shifting from side to side, blade slowly tilting before slamming into the floor below, his foot stamped down hard as he slowly reached down. Such fine craftsmanship on this arrow. He wasn't against asking who'd made it. "Me? I'm no one special . ." Speaking calmly, his head would raise once again to the sky above. Soft hues burrowing to starry hued amber constellations. Softly, quietly, did it snap like the last twig on a trail. ". . Just a man on a mission."
The sloshing seas beneath were the only thing heard in this long silence between them all.
"Turn around and leave, Ronin. This is your only chance." The bow tied back and his hearing heard it, of course. Quaint was the smile, but now it stretched from ear to ear. Hhahaha. At least this could lift his spirits. "Voice, let me ask; if you could change who you are, would you? I'm sayin', if you could leave this sad life behind and be your own person, do you think you could? I think. . If I hadn't become this monster, I could've. ." But now it was all too late for that. He'd ventured too far. Become too entranced and doused with the love of crimson. All he wanted now was to see blood. Vivid expressions of red. That was it. Still though - there was no answer. He knew there wouldn't be, but after seeing her. . He just had to ask. "I met a woman not too long ago. She made me remember my past. . I hate rememberin' my past. And now, I'm questionin' all of who I am again. Tch. Mad-"CRACK! Straight to the chest! Embedded there which caused Hunter to stop speaking and slowly look down. Another arrow huh? But it still wasn't meant to kill.
Slowly, he fell to his knees and let things come to a stand still. From the dark the assailants came. Large was their number as they all stood about him. "Did we get a face on this guy? There's no way he was some stray." So, the count began. "We found his poster. He's a man worth over sixty million beli. Let's turn him over to the marines." Soon it would end. "This seems a little off to me. I don't trus-"SLINK! Times up. At once Hunter shoot up from his position, blade jutting up through one of the mans necks. At the same time, the arrow he held was thrown into the face of another with high aim and force, causing an agonizing scream to hit the air.
Sweet chin music. He loved it.
"FUKHAHAHAHA! Seriously! You guys let your guards down too easy! Now, let's make this quick!" Slash after slash. Kill after kill. Blood littered the buildings as they tried their best to stop him. No matter how many came, he slayed them all. No matter what they used, they were slaughtered like cattle. All that laid was a heap of dead bodies and a small number still breathing for him to use. No more than three, of course. Tch. Easy. Too easy. He expected at least one of them to put up a proper fight. "Keh. At least make this worth me drawin' my blade. Pitiful pieces of s**t." Stains of red and innards sprawled about; he turned with blade on shoulder to head towards the exit. Damn it Barbos. Make it worth his while, at least.
As someone with no need of the means of transportation used by common mortals, the black winged angel crossed the waters of another Blue to reach the base of operations of a group that was very interesting in her opinion. Men and women who dealt with death itself. And were paid for it. A lair of assassins. Eve found it to be a place similar to heaven. She could earn money for doing something so simple as reaping a life. For a person with her set of skills, it was the simplest thing one could be paid for. Men, women, rich, poor, adult, child, such classifications were meaningless to her, who thought of money before anything. In fact, she was returning after having finished a task handed to her by them, the guild. With nothing in her hands other than a bloody bag that seemed to be carrying something round inside, she flew towards the building that housed the Assassin's Guild. Or where once assassins used to be. Before long she noticed the scent of blood, stimulating her vampiric side. Flying slightly faster, she reached the building as a man was about to leave it.
Her eyes widened immediately and she felt her chest tighten. Behind him she could see a scene of carnage, which led her to understand that the worst had happened. Someone who didn't know her could mistake her surprise as due to the death of comrades but that would be a great miss. "Who..." she could barely speak as her eyes teared up. One also shouldn't mistake her sadness as due to having lost people dear to her. "Wh-Who will pay me now?!" she asked loudly as she dropped the bloody bag, tears running down her face as she was honestly saddened by the loss of people who gave her money for doing easy jobs.
Deecee Sama
Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 8:59 am
All done for the day. Hunter was about to make his not so grand escape when the sudden yell of another caught his attention. That was odd. He was sure he'd taken care of everyone here. "A stray? Can't be helped I guess." Shrugging to himself, he slowly shifted about to see a. . girl? A girl dressed in a white kimimono sniveling to herself. Eyes dotted as he stared, the ronin shifted in position very blandly. "Well, looks like you're outta a job, kid. My advice? Pick up a hobby. Like knittin' or somethin'."Still, if she was part of this Guild then that meant she too was a target and they were all meant to be either subjugated or outright slain. You could see the options being weighed in his head as he began to slowly pace over to her, the straw hat and mask only showing the glimmering flash of red. Course, his wardrobe didn't help the situation much, either. Doused in blood - lovely.
"I only planned on leavin' two or three of these guys alive, so I'll leave you with an option. Either become my meatpuppet or die. Hurry up and choose so I can get the ******** off this shitty island." A tone of resentment at his current situation, but an ample amount of animosity thrown at her. His killing intent wasn't anything to scoff at. If at all, it was a monument to be revered.
The man did not seem to be friendly in the least. He even pointed out she no longer had a job, as if smearing salt on the wound. As he approached, she pinched her nose as the stench of blood was dangerously strong. Not that she disliked it, it was the opposite actually. When sucking the life out of her targets, she unavoidably drank blood as well and developed a liking to it. Although it was nothing compared to her feelings towards her true love, money.
When the man spoke up again, he gave her two options, to become his puppet or die. All that was said as he openly showed hostility towards her. Even if she was confident in her assassination skills, she doubted she'd be able to confront directly the person who wiped out the entire guild. Instead of resenting him because of his behavior and threat, she chose to see it positively. He had just offered her a job after all. "Let's go then. We can discuss the terms of this contract on the road. Or sea." she replied after quickly wiping her tears, letting him know that she would accept being his meat puppet or whatever, as long as it had benefits. Monetary benefits. She was not one to refuse a job after all.
Deecee Sama"
Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 9:16 pm
There was a stop. Pause. Then stare one after the other. What in the ******** was this little b***h talking about?
Contract? He didn't do contracts. It seemed she misunderstood what he meant. "Keh, guess you don't get it huh? When I say puppet, I mean if I want you'll literally die for me. Thas' how this whole exchange works. That's what them other ******** who're alive are dealin' with, right now."Turning his blade over, he'd point it to her with a wave; a devils grin then following after. "Course, same be said if I just cut you down. So either way, you'll be dyin' eventually. If not from me, then some other bullshit, right? Fuhkakakakaka." Taking a moment to settle himself, he'd watch for her reactions. Maybe she'd be riled by this and want to have a go? Killing her then would be fine by him too~ Least he'd get some excitement outta it.
"And you just enter into contracts without gettin' your benefactors name? What're ya'? Some kind of idiot. Or maybe for the work you do, you don't do much talkin'. I'm sure there are plenty sick ******** out there into children. I knew a couple long time ago." Now he waited. Even if she denied him, he was ready to charge in and slay here right there. The choices were bare.
Die for him? The man was probably out of his mind if he thought that Eve would do such a thing for him. Would he kill her right there if she said so? Probably. Did she care? Not in the least. Living a life of submission where she cannot receive the payment for what she does is a fate worse than death. If escape is impossible and those two are the only options, she would rather die. That was how much she loved money. But perhaps someone with little sanity as the man seemed to display would not understand the complexity and depth of her feelings towards the sublime element known as gold. Trying to explain it would probably be for nothing, so she would simply correct his wrong assumption that she'd comply, knowing that a new life would begin in case hers ended. "Die for you? That's hardly something I would do even if I was paid an entire country's fortune. Just do whatever if you're not willing to pay." she would answer, waiting for death or literally whatever else the man could do.
Deecee Sama"
Posted: Sun Jul 29, 2018 12:34 pm
Do whatever? Say no more.
Before she could even properly finish her sentence his blade flew downward onto the axis of her neck, completely slicing her head from her shoulders. So boring. All that talking just to waste more of his time. "Tch, whatever. Useless b***h." Slinking his sword back around, he'd sheath it as steps took him off towards the docks once again.
Having made his way back to the guild, Yusuke stopped to rest. He’d been busy, what with the boss having left everything to him. He didn’t really care much for responsibility, but he really had things to get done. However he wouldn’t stay long, taking his boat out to sea as p***k as he came.
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