The curtains fall back into place with a rustle. And Leroys voice fills the room. Dahl is anxiously smoking dart after dart of slim Southbound Freshes. Her leg bouncing incessantly.
"You okay Dahlia?" The captain askes "Yeah…yeah I'm fine." She has a cool and collected look on her face as she takes another drag. But her bouncing leg betrays her
"Zeke will be fine, you know." He says trying to reassure her "Oh baby it aint zeke im worried about. It's you all. Gotten yourselves into some deep shit. Deep deep shit."
"But everything will be fine because of Zeke out there. If everything goes to plan" She blew another stream of smoke
"Alright so-" Kirk shifts to Suji "Hows everything been Suji? What happened since- Since you know?" He leaned in and looked at the young Piranha.
"Oh um…I" Sujikiki scratched his thin nose. His gills on his neck twitching slightly "I completely went my own way. After the party, I left. Didn't even look back. Swam off of Coco. I stayed at a place Called Glasu. Then kept going. I trained in the water. Moving around big rocks at the bottom."
"After a while I ended up at Louge. Bought a sword. Started Practicing Ihantoryu." Kale then chimed in "One Sword and Half Sword Style? I thought you already used that?" He says attempting to remember, and thankfully does so accurately
"No. The Tanto I carried was not a part of my style. Only a back up. But after seeing how you used two sword style when you were outside the party, Training. It inspired me to try it. And I found it really suited me."
"When'd you end up on Sabaody?" Kirk asked. "I participated in a lot of duel contests and swordsman competitions. A lot of them wouldn't let me in so I had to do a lot of underground stuff…Way more dangerous. Got some money, and got a ship. Brought me here. Then I was here for a few weeks. Then I met her." He pointed at Dahl
She waved here fingers back with a smile
"Stayed here for a while. Zeke taught me some things. Guys not half bad- well…Pretty damn good with a sword. In exchange I did some work. Helped Coat ships. Then well- You know the rest from there."
"Damn Suji you really been busy- Huh!" Kirk was cut off by Suji suddenly wrapping his arms around Kirk in a tight neck hug. His voice was low and into Kirks ear as he spoke "I never…I never got to thank you- For uh…Standing up to Barnum as long as you did."
"I know I was a little asshole a year ago. But thank you. If it weren't for you- For him" He looked to Leroy and then to Kale "And you too."
"Hey we were there too!" Jeanne and Noir said at the same time "Who?" Suji responded before cracking a smile
"Funny." The two smiled back as they rolled their eyes at the Sarcasm
"You're welcome, Suji." Leroy said coming up behind him and rubbing his hair as Kirk cups his cheek "Yes. You are more than welcome."
"You know you could come along with us if you wanted to?" Kirk asked. Leroy did not protest as he leaned forward.
"As much as I appreciate the offer. I denied last time. And I'll have to deny it again. I wanna find my own way. And I think, by sticking around here a bit longer will do me some good. You guys are moving fast, and will be in the New World in no time. But me? I've barely even seen Paradise. I'm nowhere near the skill and power I should be if I wanted to. But thank you."
"Alright. Well- If you ever want to find us. I'm sure it'd be easy too!" Leroy said as he stood
Calliope looked around as she smiled at the scene before realizing
"So it's been 5 minutes right?" Calliope asked as she kept nervously looking out of the window. Dahl piped up "one more minute. Doesn't hurt to stay after that either."
They took that minute to get ready. And they all gathered around the door before finally giving Dahl a goodbye and walking out of the Door "Good Luck kid. I'm still looking forward to that rematch." Kale said patting Suji on the shoulder as he was the last out of the Door
Elsewhere on Desamare. An explosion of heat and destruction wracked through a city block as The Mongrel, Francis Hound was currently on the run from a monster. A bonafide beast! It was- Benjamin Condent?!
Another Explosion wracked through the air. Only by a flash of Red and another explosion
Hound looked behind him as he skid across the ground. Transforming into his Mythical Form. Looking up to Condent
He was Wearing what looked to be a single coverall jumpsuit that was Dark orange and green siding. But something was off- His hands. His hands didn't have Paw Pads on them? Only a single barrel like a gun embedded into the palm!
It began to glow for a only a single second! Francis speed out of the way as the next moment a Laser shot from the palm barrel and exploded in a concentrated ball of heat and explosive energy. Carrying more energy that a 10k cannon but concentrated only into a 5 meter radius
"Harbingers are looking great." A smooth voice spoke behind Francis! Whipping around to face and bare his fangs, was Argento!
"Good work Tehertz. Doin a number on Condent and Now these…What'd you call em? Ersatz?"
Hound attempted to swipe at Murausagi, but the attack seemed to phase straight through him! And he too seemed to slip out of existence! Appearing behind him!
"Too slow…Now let me ask you." Hound faced him "Do you know how fast the speed of light is?"
"Hu-" Slam! Argentos fist traveled at the Speed of Light! Slamming into the side of Francis' face! Causing him to be sent flying through a dozen blocks of buildings in one hit!
"Clearly Not."