Chapter 53: Facing the masked man

Dialogue "sample"

Thoughts 'sample'

Author notes -sample-

Disclaimer: One piece and all of its characters belong to Eiichiro Oda.

Chapter 53: Facing the masked man

The next morning, right after leaving the alley. The trio heard the citizen of Water Seven having a loud argument.

"She really said that?." Asked Nami.

After reuniting with Sanji and Chopper, the two of them explained their brief encounter with Robin.

Chopper nodded. "She said that things will get worse and that we will never meet again…"

"This confirms it…she is going to try again to finish off that guy. That would definitely make things worse for us." Zoro pointed out.

"If we are found anywhere near his manor, everyone will think that we are there to kill the man." Said Sanji.

"I don't care! I'm going there to see Robin" Said Luffy.

"I'm going too. If someone is threatening my beloved Robin to do those things…!" Said Sanji.

"We are all going. We need to prepare, whoever can force Robin to act like this, will not be an easy opponent." Said, Vivi.

'My preparations for tonight are ready.' She held her bag.

—-----------------------------------------------------------

"There are soo many!" Exclaimed Chopper while looking at the mansion.

Not only the Galley-La company employees but many normal citizens decided to come to protect their beloved Mayor.

The crew was currently sitting on top of a tree that overlooks the place.

"Do we just go in? I can probably reach the house from here" Asked Luffy.

"If we do that, we will become the focus of their aggression. Is best to wait until the real assassins show up." Suggested Vivi.

"Robin and that masked guy." Said Zoro.

They didn't have to wait long before an explosion occurred at ground level.

"Something exploded!" Said Luffy.

"They are here! that explosion must be a distraction." Zoro pointed out.

"Let's go!" Said Sanji.

While the others jumped out of the tree and started to make their way to the manor, Vivi stopped Chopper and Nami.

"It's best if you two wait here."

"What!, but I want to help!" Complained Chopper.

"We may need a doctor afterward. It would be better if the only doctor willing to help us is not injured, don't you think?"

Chopper nodded reluctantly.

"As for you, Nami. You won't be able to use your clima tact inside the house, can you still fight?, especially against someone that is powerful enough to terrify Robin?"

"I-Ill wait here…" Said Nami.

"Are you going to be okay, Vivi? Luffy and the others have already entered the manor." Said Chopper.

"Don't worry, I wasn't planning on going through the front door."

Vivi jumped off the tree.

"Water jet!"

She propelled herself and flew for a short distance until she landed on the roof.

She then used her observation haki to locate the positions of the CP9. Even if she wasn't familiar with them, they were easy to spot as their auras were a lot more intense than everyone else, especially their leader, Lucci.

They were all around the mansion, fighting against the guards. She keeps observing until she spotted her target.

'Found you!'

—----------------------------------------

A masked man and a woman entered a room through a hole in the wall that promptly closed behind them, leaving no trace.

"Amazing…even though I knew you would come in, I never thought you would enter like that. There is not supposed to be a door there." Said Mister Iceberg.

"It is my ability, I ate the Doa Doa fruit. I am a door-man." Explained the man with the bear mask before pulling a gun.

The window then broke and someone came in.

"Who is there!." The masked man pointed his gun at the intruder.

"Vivi!, what are you doing here!" Cried Robin.

Iceberg turned around to look at her.

"You are one of the Strawhats…what is going on?, aren't you working together?" He had assumed that the masked man was also a Strawhat member, so He didn't understand why would He point the gun at her.

"Sorry, Robin. But I have some business with that guy."

Vivi went to a corner and placed an object on top of a table.

"it should be fine here." She then pressed a button on top.

"You think you can stop us?...ridiculous." He looked at Robin.

"We made a deal, but if they interfere with our businesses you can't blame us for killing them."

He pointed his gun at Vivi and shot.

The bullets went through her but she made it look like she dodged them.

"What?!, it seems like our intel about your crewmates was a bit lacking...this one is better than we thought, fine then!" The masked man charged Vivi.

"Vivi!, stop! You need to leave!" Begged Robin.

"Soru" The masked man disappeared from his spot and appeared next to Vivi.

"Shigan!" He aimed at her shoulder but the finger went through.

'I'm going to need to perform some theatrics for this.'

Vivi pretended to be hurt, she screamed and threw herself away.

"Ahh! What was that?!. How can you move so fast?" She asked with shock.

The man chuckled.

"You fool. That was just a taste of the Rokushiki!."

"Rokushiki?" Vivi asked.

"Indeed. A set of six martial techniques that allow us to surpass the human limits! All of our members know them. You can't wing against us!"

"There are four more techniques like those?!. How terrifying!" Said Vivi with a scared expression.

'Villains always like to talk more when they think they are winning.'

He laughed. "I'll show you!... Soru!" he suddenly appeared a few feet from Vivi's left side.

"Rankyaku!" He made a kicking motion and a blade made of wind slashed at Vivi's arm.

It didn't do anything to her, but she still yelped in pain and clutched her arm.

"I'm not done yet!." He jumped in the air.

"Geppo!" He performed a series of jumps without touching the ground until He was above Vivi.

"Die!"

He aimed his finger at her head this time.

"Shigan"

Vivi moved her head aside and punched him in the stomach.

"Tekkai!" He quickly yelled.

His torso became like metal and the moment her fist made contact, she felt her bones fracturing.

He jumped back and chuckled.

"Not bad. But with your hand now broken you cant w-"

Vivi waved him off.

"Is not broken, just fractured a bit. I had much worse. Anyways. I think I have enough footage to get started. Not that interested in the kami-e "

"Wait, how do you know about that? and wasn't your shoulder injured too? I'm sure I pierce it!." The masked man was confused.

Vivi went to retrieve the vision dial that she left on the table. Unfortunately, it's only able to take static pictures and no video, but it can take a lot of pictures in quick succession. Combine with her, personally experiencing the Rokushiki herself it may be enough to do something.

She had already a few ideas she wanted to try.

"It seems like your friends have arrived." Vivi had already sensed a group of strong people approaching.

The door opened again and more masked people went inside.

"Uhm? you haven't finished here yet? its probably for the best." Their leader said.

"It seems like we have been deceived. The blueprints that Paulie had are fake."

He looked at Iceberg and was about to say something when He spotted Vivi, sitting next to the window.

"Why haven't you dealt with that Strawhat?" He demanded.

The man with the bear mask got nervous. "I-I was in the middle of that. I'll finish her off now!"

Robin was getting anxious.

"You promised to let them go!"

"As long as they don't get in our way. Things have changed now."

He removed his mask.

Iceberg gasped.

"Lucci?!"