Chereads / One Piece: Red Run / Chapter 36 - Rescue Robin!

Chapter 36 - Rescue Robin!

"Alright, CP9...it's time for a break out!" Run says with a grin, cracking his knuckles. Run steps forward towards the door just as it is suddenly opened, and a man in a suit steps out. The two men stare at each other in silence for several moments...before Run sends him sailing right back into the train car. He smashes into the wall as Run steps inside, closing the door behind him. The train car is packed with men in suits, all of which promptly turn and point weapons at him. Some brandish pistols and others swords while facing off with the red head. "Well...I wasn't exactly planning on making a quiet entrance anyway."

"Don't move!" demands one of the men. "Do you have any idea where you are?" Run scratches the stubble on his jaw as he stares down the men in the carriage. "I saw that guy's punch earlier. He's no ordinary guy."

"Aah, if you put it like that," Run begins, a grin appearing on his face. "You'll make me blush."

"It wasn't a compliment! Oi! Someone let Lucci know that a suspicious man has infiltrated the train!"

"Hold it!" exclaims a voice, causing the red head to slowly scan the crowded train for it's source. "There's no need to bother CP9. No matter how violent this suspicious men might be there's no need to fear because in this car...you've got me!"

"Jerry!" Run slowly follows the men's sight up to the ceiling, and find a huge man towering over him. He's bent at the waist, his back pressed against the ceiling as he stares down at him. "I'm a champion on a South Blue island where karate is quite popular. That's right, I'm a boxing champion!" Run whistles in appreciation as he stares up at the man.

"Dahahaha~! You're one big guy!" laughs Run. "Wait. How'd you get through the--"

"Hnn...Jerry...Aurora Flicker...Jab!" Jerry screams, suddenly launching a flurry of punches at the two. The red head simply steps between his legs and leans against the wall while he pummels several unfortunate government officials. "You kids!" The tall man bends to look at them between his legs. "Just because I'm so tall, don't think I'm at a disadvantage in--" Run immediately silences the man by jumping and delivering a punch straight to his stomach. He smashes up into the ceiling, and Run steps to the side of the aisle as he drops down to the floor seconds later.

"Sorry, sorry," Run tells them. "While impressive, I unfortunately don't have time to deal with you." Without wasting any more time, he effortlessly deals with the rest of the men gathered in the room, knocking them all out one by one. After he's knocked out the final man he moves on to the next car, pushing the door open and finding it just as packed with men as the last. All heads immediately turn to him as he closes the door behind him and he flashes them a grin. "Aah, 'scuse me, fellas. Just lookin' for the can." He approaches the front of the train car, only for one of the men to suddenly jump up.

"Are you all idiots?!" screams the man. "Everyone here is wearing a uniform but--"

"Sea King's Bite!" calls Run, driving his fist into the man's face and sending him crashing through several benches and scattering the men. "Boy, I was really hoping that would work." The remaining men all leap to their feet and charge the red head. In an instant he scatters the men, knocking them all out with ease.

"Run! Oi, Run!" shouts a familiar voice, drawing his attention to the front of the train car.

"Usopp?" Their marksman lies beside the same blue haired man he'd seen loaded earlier. Both are stuffed into gunny sacks and bound tight with rope. "Dahahahaha~! Talk about a stroke of luck! Hold on, I'll have you sprung in a moment!" He approaches and kneels beside him, immediately working on the knots. "I'm glad to see you back on your feet! We need to grab Robin and--"

"W-Wait! I can't-- I won't be helping you!"

"Huh? Aah, don't worry about these guys! Everything is gonna be alright, Usopp! We're just gonna grab Robin and make a break for it!"

"No! I'm...I'm not a part of the crew anymore!" Run's brow furrows in response.

"What are you talking about?" It's then that Usopp explains everything that has happened to the red head. From his argument with Luffy, leaving the crew and finally his duel with Luffy over ownership of the Merry. When he's finished Run nods in understanding. "I see."

"So, you're one of his former crew members then," calls the blue haired man, sitting up as best he can.

"It seems that way. Who are you?"

"I'm Franky, demolition worker and the face of the Water Seven underworld. I--" Run immediately punches the man in the face.

"So you're Franky! Did you think I would forget what you did to Usopp just because he's left the crew?! I think maybe it'd be best if I just tossed you into the sea and forget about it!"

"Damn it! Just you wait until I get out of this!"

"Wait, wait!" Usopp begs, worming his way between them as quickly as he can. "A lot of things have happened since! He even saved the Merry once!" Usopp pauses for a moment. "That's right...the Merry."

"Oi! This is no time for moping! Anyway, red hair, please untie me!"

"Why should I?" Run yells back. "It's no skin off my bones if you stay tied up for the rest of your life!"

"You bastard! Even after I asked so nicely you still have the guts to say that?!" After calming down, Run finally unties Usopp and Franky as well. He's barely undone the final knot, however, before one of the numerous transponder snails begins to ring loudly. Everyone in the room stares at it for a few moments before Run finally crosses the room and picks it up.

"Oi, don't answer it!" Usopp shouts at him.

"Hello, hello~!" Run answers.

"Run?! Run, is that really you?!" screams Nami, nearly deafening him as a result.

"Y-Yeah! What...how did you...?"

"Some woman in a white suit left the transponder snail! She said it would help us get in touch with you! Listen, we know everything! We know that Robin didn't really try to kill Iceburg! They tried to threaten her with our lives and a Buster Call but she escaped! We're on our way right now!" Run hears loud screaming in the back ground accompanied by the sounds of gunfire.

"Dahahaha~! Sounds pretty lively there!"

"This isn't a laughing matter, idiot! You should have come to us right away! Listen! You need to be careful! We fought those CP9 guys in Iceburg's mansion and they use really strange skills! You-- No! Luffy, let go! I'm--"

"Oi, Run!" chirps Luffy. "How's it going over there? Where's Robin at?"

"Unfortunately, she's still in custody," Run tells him. "Aah, but I'll take care of that."

"We heard about everything. This funny lady in a white suit told us the whole story so...go ahead and give them hell, Run!"

"Don't tell him that!" Zoro shouts through the line. "Oi, listen up, Red! There are some crazy guys on that train! So just wait until--"

"Zoro...what would you do if it were you? After hearing that they tried to force Robin into a deal? After they framed her like that? Would you just sit still?"

"Dahahaha~! You know me so well, Luffy!" laughs Run. "Zoro, don't tell me you're worried about me?"

"Not even slightly, idiot!" screams Zoro.

"Don't worry. I'll bring Robin back no matter what." With that Run shatters the receiver.

"So...things like that were happening while I was gone?" Usopp wonders.

"Robin doesn't know anything about the Merry or your fight with Luffy."

"Aaaah! That's so touching!" Franky wails.

"We can save the tears for when we actually spring her. Now, c'mon. We're gonna take a different path."

"I'm not crying! Nico Robin is said to be a cruel, evil woman and yet she has such heart warming affection for her friends!" Run opens the door at the end of the train car and quickly climbs up onto the roof with Franky and Usopp trailing behind him.

"She's nothing like how the World Government tries to portray her, Franky. Trust me, once you meet her you'll see that."

"Alright! Then I, Franky, will lend you a hand, red hair! I've got my own reasons for not wanting her to fall into the World Government's hands! Now, especially, after hearing such a tale! Oi! Let's go, Long Nose! We've got things to do!"

"I'm...I'm not coming," Usopp tells them. "It no longer has anything to do with me, remember? If the World Government is going to become your enemy, then I want no part of it. You're going to meet up with Luffy and the others, afterwards, right? After all my blustering, and then humiliating myself, how could I go with you guys? I'm sorry, but I'm no longer honor-bound to rescue Robin. I left the Straw Hats!" Usopp slowly walks away from them across the roof of the cart. "See ya."

"What? Are you going to doggy paddle to shore, Usopp? This storm will--"

"I found them!" screams a voice from the edge of the cart, attracting their attention of a Marine. "They're--"

"Metallic Star!" A steel ball-bearing strikes the man in the temple, and sends him plunging into the sea below. All head turn to find...well, Usopp, wearing a strange mask. "He told me everything! I heard you guys are going to rescue a damsel in distress! That's reason enough for me to help you! I will fight along-side you! I am...Sogeking!" Run grins from ear to ear as he stares at Usopp.

"Dahahahaha~! 'Sogeking', huh?" laughs Run. "Alright, well, we're glad to have the help, Sogeking!"

"Oi, oi, we should make a plan first," Franky tells them.

"Well, what have you got in mind, Franky...?"

- - -

"Ahahahaha~!" laughs Raye. "Why does everyone look so stressed? I thought you would be celebrating after capturing Nico Robin. Oh, my apologies. Not just Nico Robin but Cutty Flam as well." The train car once more falls silent for several long moments as Raye stands and scans the members of CP9. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongues?" Raye walks down the aisle towards Lucci, stopping in front of him. "Why the long face?" Lucci finally turns his attention to the woman and a chuckle sounds from behind her mask. "Now THAT is a look you shoot your enemy."

"Now that the mission is complete," begins Kaku. "I imagine that you'll be returning to CP0." Raye turns her attention to Kaku.

"Well...let's not get ahead of ourselves, Kaku. I wouldn't call the mission completed as of yet. I still need to escort the prisoners to the proper authorities."

"Proper authorities?" asks Lucci.

"But of course, Robert. Oh!" Raye snaps her fingers. "My, how forgetful of me! I neglected to mention that I'll be handling the transfer of Nico Robin and Cutty Flam into the hands of CP0 when we arrive in Enies Lobby." She reaches into her jacket and produces a folded piece of paper before handing it over to Lucci. "Here we are! Orders directly from the top."

"So...this was their plan from the start."

"Don't be like that. You played your part well in spite of your desire to kill me. It's simply...that the Five Elders don't trust Spandam with something like Pluton." All heads in the room immediately turn to Raye. "They'd rather not have the information or blue prints for an Ancient Weapon in the hands of mad man. Regardless of department, I believe that's something we can ALL agree on." The door at the end of the train car is suddenly thrown wide open as Corgi storms inside.

"S-Sir!" begins Corgi, saluting Lucci. "I've received a report that an enemy force has boarded the train!"

"An enemy force?" Lucci echos. "It's not possible to board while the Puffing Tom is running. If there really is an intruder, then it means we've allowed them to come on when we departed. Good grief."

"I-I agree, sir. It's embarrassing."

"But at the same time it's not possible to get off while it's running, either. The intruder and the criminals are still trapped on this train. Keep calm and look for them."

"Ahahahaha~!" laughs Raye. "My, my! It seems this will at least be an entertaining ride! I'll go check on our REMAINING prisoner, then." Raye crosses the train car and comes to an abrupt halt when she hears the soft sound of someone stand. "Mm...you object, Robert?"

"I just wonder if perhaps you're not the reason for the intruders presence."

"Why...whatever do you mean?" Raye turns to face the man calmly now. "Please, choose your words carefully because it sounds as if you're accusing me of colluding with an enemy."

"I know you spoke with 'Red' Run outside a cafe the day Nico Robin was captured. Rather than apprehend or pursue him you instead chose to walk away. Now we have an intruder on the Puffing Tom...would you not consider that to be suspicious?"

"My, I believe you might have be confused with a Marine. CP0 isn't in the business of apprehending criminals it's in the business of information collection. I might also add that my action or inaction is in no way, shape or form open to scrutiny by YOU. I answer directly to the Five Elders who desire only results. So, please believe me when I say--" Raye disappears and reappears directly in front of Lucci, a single index finger pressed against his throat. "--that killing you simply because you've irritated me means nothing to me or them." After a few moments of silence she actually reaches up and taps him on the nose with her finger. "So behave yourself, and this will all be over soon..."

- - -

"Are you sure this is gonna work?" Usopp asks, looking between the two men. "I-It just...it seems like a bad idea." The three peer over the edge of the very last train car for a moment before dropping down. Run grins at the man as he grasps the handle of the door.

"Relax, relax!" Run tells him. "Nothing ventured, right?" With that he throws the door wide open, revealing the three of them to the marines swarming the inside of the train car. "Aah, evenin', gentlemen! You wouldn't happen to be lookin' for us, would ya?" When the Marines start charging, they slam the door closed and 'Sogeking' begins rapidly nailing it shut.

"Ya need to work on how ya use a hammer," Franky says rather flippantly.

"Shut up! You wanna do this?" Sogeking retorts, still hammering rapidly. Bullets begin flying through the door, barely missing them. "Ohh! They're shooting at us!" This is the spur he needs to finish the job quicker. When he's done, they all leap up, hauling themselves back onto the roof. They go sprinting across the train car's roof towards the fifth car and Run drops down between the carts with a grin on his face. With little effort he disconnects the cars and watches them slowly begin to lose speed.

"Sorry, fellas!" Run shouts to the train cars. "Make sure to watch out for Sea Kings! I hear this stretch of sea is lousy with 'em!" He tosses the chain in his hands into the sea. "Two train cars full of small fry down. All for the price of a handful of nails...not bad, Franky."

"But, Run, aren't Straw Hat and the others coming on the same railway?" Sogeking reasons.

"Aah, it'll give 'em something to do while they catch up." Hearing running footsteps, Run turns and opens the door before stepping aside. A man in a suit comes flying past the red head quickly and splashes down into the sea with a panicked yelp. "You'll make it to the other cars if you just follow the tracks, pal! Alright!" The red head turns and steps inside the train car which is filled with more men in suits. "Man...I was hoping to avoid using Haki because I didn't wanna tip off Raye if she were on board but...I guess I don't have much of a choice."

"You bastards!" scream the men inside, rushing them.

"Gunpowder Star!" shouts Usopp, picking off a pair of men rushing in his direction.

"Strong Right!" Franky exclaims, firing his fist right off his arm and scattering the men.

"Damn it! Fire! Shoot them!" While he reels his fist, which both Run and Usopp are astonished to find is connected by a chain, the remaining men start shooting. The rounds strike Franky in his chest...and simply drop to the ground. "Wh...What the hell?! Fire! Fire again!" They continue firing while Franky casually tears one of the bench seats up from the ground and tosses it at them, crushing them under it.

"What in the hell was that?" Run questions Franky, picking up one of the mangled bullets.

"Oh? I'm a Cyborg," Franky tells the two of them rather casually. "Steel and weapons are built right into my body. If I'm shot, it hurts a little and sometimes it bleeds but it doesn't work at all."

"Something like that is possible?" Sogeking seems amazed...and eager to test it as he pokes him in the back with a large needle moments later.

"YOW!! What are you doing, you prick?!"

"Huh?" Sogeking grunts. "Bullets don't hurt but needles do?"

"Why would you do that anyway?! I'll tell you right now, my back is a different matter all together! I did the modifications myself, and I couldn't reach my back, get it? Only my front is metal!"

"Dahahahaha~!" laughs Run. "Relax, Franky! He was just curious, that's all. Now, c'mon. The fourth car is waiting." They push through the car, to the next and shove the door open. Rather than Marines and weapons, however, they find themselves in a kitchen with a chef...and not their own, either. A strange looking man with curly white hair begins shouting at the top of his lungs as he notices them.

"I'm Wanze! Mad, mad Wanze!" Wanze bellows, racing towards them. He comes a quick halt directly in front of them. "I'm Wanze, the head steward! Can I make something for you? Are you hungry? How about some ramen?" He begins rapidly stuffing flour in his mouth. "Let me just knead this well!" When he's finished, he disgusts them by suddenly squeezing noodles out of his nose into a bowl. "Here! Fresh ramen for you!"

"Aah...uh...no, thank you. I'm not hungry right now. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're in a bit of a hurry."

"Wait! If you want to pass through, you've got to beat me!"

"You're trying to stop us?"

"I WILL stop you! If you want to set that criminal free, you need to beat my Ramen Kenpo!" Rather than continue putting up with this idiot, Franky raises his left arm, and twists his forearm to reveal a gun. He fires a volley of rounds at the man, who skates left and right, avoiding them all.

"What the hell?!" Franky demands. "Those bullets definitely grazed him...but he didn't even flinch. In fact, he looks more relaxed than ever."

"W-Whoa, I was so scared I thought my heart would stop!"

"Then SHOW it, ya bastard!"

"Hold on a second, Franky!" Run says quickly. "Don't let him sucker you in. He's not what we're here for, alright? You two go on ahead and I'll deal with him quickly..."

- - -

"My, my, what an ordeal," sighs Raye, closing the door to the train car behind her. Seated at the middle of an otherwise deserted train car is a dark haired woman, who doesn't acknowledge her presence even as she approaches. Raye approaches and pauses by her seat before motioning towards the empty space. "May I?" After a few moments of silence, Raye takes a seat beside her and crosses her legs. "Mm, are we back to the silent treatment now? That's alright, I happen to love the sound of my own voice. In fact, I've been told I have a lovely singing voice." Raye finally sighs. "I take no pleasure in this, Robin, really I don't."

"Yet, here we are," Robin says.

"Ahahahaha~! She speaks!" Raye reaches down and unbuttons the jacket of her suit. "Yes. Here we are. You're in custody...and Run is smashing up the train to save you." Robin looks sharply in her direction as Raye reaches up to remove her fedora. What she had initially believed to be some sort of white head covering, Robin discovers is in fact a shock of stark white hair pulled back in a tight bun.

"Run is here?"

"Is it so difficult to believe?" Raye considers her hat for a moment before finally placing it on her lap. "Well, I might have given him a small nudge in the right direction."

"Why?! Why would you do that?!"

"Why, indeed. Maybe I just wanted to provide you with the slightest sliver of hope for rescue, or maybe I wanted to see if he's really the kind of man I think he is..." Raye reaches up calmly and removes her mask. Robin blinks in surprise as she stares at the grey eyed, youthful woman before her. Her cheek bones, her eyes-- "...or maybe I just want my son to be happy." Raye reaches into her jacket and produces a faded photo before handing it to Robin. In it, Raye lies in a bed holding a small baby swaddled in a pink blanket. A shock of sparse red and white hair covers the child's head, while another young child with bright crimson hair lies beside her. "You're...Run and Uta's mother?"

"I can hardly be called as such anymore." Raye sighs softly as she stares at the photo in Robin's hands. "They were so young when I left, I doubt either of them would even recognize me. Mm...he looks so much like his father."

"No. Uta takes more after Shanks than he does." Robin hands the photo back to her. "Why did you leave?"

"There's no easy answer." Raye tucks the photo away before actually grinning at her. "But seeing as I have myself a captive audience, I suppose I'll tell you plainly...it's because someone like me doesn't deserve happiness." Robin's brow furrows slightly in response. "I've done a lot of bad things in my life, Nico Robin. I've killed a lot of people for reasons that...well, looking back, don't particularly make sense." She pauses for a moment before actually chuckling. "Aah, it sounds like I'm trying to excuse what I've done."

"So you left them?"

"I'm just a tool for the World Government, Robin. That's all I know...that's all I've ever known. I wanted them to have a different life than that, one that they could never have with me in it. I won't ask you to understand, and I won't ask for forgiveness; I have known for a long time that I don't deserve either." Raye takes a deep breath and sighs heavily. "Run and Uta are the only two good things that I have ever done with my life." She turns to look at Robin once more with a grin. "I'm telling you this in the hopes that you'll allow me to do a third...Run has come for you. When the time comes, I'll stand in his way...and I'll make sure that he kills me."

"What?!"

"Run is strong but he's still too weak for the New World."

"And you think that killing his own mother will make him stronger?"

"He doesn't need to know. Haki can only be improved so much through training. What you need is experience and tougher opponents. Run has more talent than Shanks and I combined; I saw it in him at Water 7 but...he needs someone who can challenge him to reach his full potential. I know that I have no right to start acting like his mother but, please...let me do this. Let me be the stepping stone that allows him to reach that potential...let me help my son..."

- - -

"Ahem...are you done?" Run asks, standing several feet away from Wanze. The man is battered and scraped, and surrounded on all sides by loose ramen noodles but seems to still be on his feet by some miracle. "Because, not to be rude, but I really don't have the time for any more games. I've got an important lady waiting on me, after all." Wanze growls and reaches into one of the near by kitchen cabinets, pulling out a large sword coated in a strange purple liquid. A single drop of it falls to the floor before sizzling loudly, burning away at the tiles. "Whoa! What in the hell is that stuff?"

"When I say I won't let you through, I mean it!" shouts Wanze. "Ramen Kenpo! Secret Technique! Noodle Cutter Poisonous Kitchen Knife! If you touch it, you'll die!"

"Why in the hell would you keep that in the kitchen?!"

"Are you all being deceived by that woman?! She's the lowest of the low! I'll take your life today, red hair!" Wanze skates in his direction quickly, raising the large weapon over his head. Run surges forward quickly, and Wanze comes to an abrupt halt as his fist drives into the man's face, a soft 'crunch!' accompanying a spray of blood. "Aaaaah! M-My nose! You-- urk!" Run grasps the man tightly by his throat, the veins in his face immediately bulging against his skin.

"I'm not interested in hearing any more of your bullshit!" Run draws back with his free hand, the skin turning an inky black. "Sea King's Bite!" Wanze sails across the kitchen, smashing through several doors before finally coming to a stop several train cars ahead. Run strides forward into the empty car and comes to an abrupt halt when Franky comes smashing through the roof, landing directly in front of him with another man crashing down several feet in front of him. "Oh! I guess you ran into a bit of trouble yourself, huh?"

"Yow~! Run!" calls Franky, turning to look at him. "Did you take care of that ramen guy?"

"Aah, more of less." Franky kicks the man into the next train car where he lands in front of several faces he recognizes. "Well, Kaku, Lucci, Kalifa...fancy meetin' you here! Well, if you'll just stand aside, we'll take Robin and get out of your hair."

"It's suddenly become noisy," Kalifa says, adjusting her glasses.

"So, the soldiers for the escort mission were taken down, after all," mutters the bull haired man.

"It's not like we expected much from them anyway," adds Kaku.

"Be careful, red hair," warns Franky, busy stretching his muscles for the fight coming their way. "They use strange martial arts."

"Well...since you've laid it out for us, I won't bother asking why you're here, intruder," Lucci begins. "Given the way you open the door, it doesn't seem like you have a lot of patience."

"Dahahaha~! What can I say?" laughs Run. "Sometimes my manners slip, Lucci."

"If this is about Nico Robin...then just give it up. This is too big of an issue for you lot you get yourselves involved in. There are people in this world who were born under an unlucky star...people who are better off dead for the good of everyone."

"Pal, it's like a broken record! Every one of you keeps saying the same thing. Can we just--" Loud shouting from the train car ahead of them draws their attention to the door moments before it opens, and a trio of figures enters. Usopp staggers forward, falling flat on his face and Robin follows behind him with none other than Raye leading up the rear, one hand grasping Robin by her bicep. Robin has her hands bound behind her back and a cloth gag in her mouth but it doesn't seem like she's been harmed. "Aah, gimme a break."

"Ahahahaha~!" laughs Raye. "Imagine bumping into you here, red hair! Seems you've made a mess of the poor Puffing Tom...now, I hope you're not planning on sticking us with that bill. Because that would be just plain rude."

"So, that's Nico Robin, huh," grunts Franky. "She indeed bears a resemblance to her wanted poster."

"Actually, Raye, I'm here with a message!" Run tells her, actually grinning. "It's time to stop all this foolishness and head on home! I can't keep the rest of the crew waiting, after all."

"Oh? Well, I'm sorry to make you come all this way for that message," Raye tells him. "But, unfortunately, I still have a job to do and releasing her to you runs counter to that." She leans down and grasps Usopp by the back of his cloak before tossing him with ease in their direction. "Fortunately for you, however, neither you nor your friend here are related to that job. So, you're free to go! You may even make it to shore if you swim for you lives!"

"Well...here's the thing. I'm not going anywhere without Robin."

"Franky!" shouts Usopp. "Detach car three!"

"Huh? What for?" demands Franky.

"Because we're gonna flee!" Run grins from ear to ear as Usopp turns quickly. "Sogeking...Smoke Star!" Sogeking tosses a smoke bomb at the floor, and it immediately fills the entire cabin of the train car. It sends nearly everyone into a coughing fit as a result. Robin finds herself lifted seconds later, and carried princess-style back through the cabin.

"We're clear! Break the chain, Franky!" Run demands, sprinting the distance and leaping the gap when the cars separate violently. Run watches the train car pull away from them for a few seconds before gently depositing Robin on one of the seats. "Dahahahaha~! Good job, Sogeking! I never actually thought of that! I can't believe it worked!"

"Of course it did. Sometimes it's best to achieve a goal without having to fight."

"I can't argue with the results."

"Don't let your guard down so quickly," Franky warns them. "At least not until the cars are really far apart."

"Aah, relax! It's not like they can catch us now!" They're all surprised when some rather thorny whips suddenly strike the car, holding fast to it. "Those bastards! They're catching us now!" The whips suddenly go taut, and the car is pulled back into contact with the other. The man with the bull-like hair, grabs the walls of the train cars and holds them together.

"Good job, Blueno," Lucci says, stepping forward from the smoke.

"Sogeking, protect Robin." Run cracks his knuckles loudly before rushing Blueno. "Sorry, big guy! But we're full up! Sea King's Bite!" Blueno watches him the whole time, unflinching until his fist slams into his jaw. The impact blows the man through the wall of the train car, and sends him crashing through several rows of seats before finally stopping. They begin losing their momentum again and Run smirks, watching the other members of CP9 slowly start to pull away from them. The cart shudders, nearly throwing Run into the sea as the whips strike the car again, holding it tight. "Aww, give a break, fellas! It's not that serious!"

"Damn it! Just let us escape!" Franky screams, rushing forward. He slams his palms into the wall of their car, and then blows it right off, falling with it into the next cart. "Everyone! Don't worry about me! Find a way back to town, I'll be fine!"

"Franky!" Hearing a loud squeaking noise, Run stiffens and turns quickly. "What in the hell?" Blueno appears to be coming out of a hole in the middle of nowhere. Run cocks back quickly, aiming another punch at the man's face.

"Rankyaku!" announces Blueno. The red head is thrown straight back, and smashes into the far wall before collapsing onto, and shattering several of the benches.

"He came out of nowhere!" Sogeking cries.

"Shigan." Sogeking drops to his knees seconds later before collapsing onto his face. Hearing running foot-steps Blueno quickly turns just in time for Run to smash his knee into the man's chin.

"Sea King's Rush!" exclaims Run. Blueno crashes into several of the benches, demolishing them and finally skidding to a stop at the edge of the cart. "Dahahaha~! I've never seen a Devil Fruit like that before! But I guess it takes all kinds, huh, Blueno?" The large man slowly sits up and presses a hand to his temple. His whole world feels like it's spinning after being struck by the red head.

"Hmph. Soru." The red head blinks in surprise when the large man disappears. "Shigan." There's a decidedly loud 'crack!' behind him and a stifled grunt of pain which brings a grin to his face before looking over his shoulder. Blueno's face is one of confusion, tinted with pain. The red head whirls around, catches his wrist and then the back of his head. Run leans himself back and then snaps his head forward. "Shigan!" A second 'crunch!' follows as his middle finger breaks on Run's chest. "Wha--" The impact of there heads drops Blueno to his knees, his eyes briefly crossing at stars dance before them. The red head's knee smashes into his chin a second time, sending him sprawling across the ground several meters away.

"DAMN! That's a hard head you've got there! Aah? Were you as surprised as me, Blueno? After Raye gave me that beating in Water 7 I thought for sure you could all pierce my Haki with those martial arts but I guess without Haki of your own it's not really up to snuff, huh?" Blueno begins sitting up, and Run slams his foot into his chest quickly, pinning him. "Now, now, we'll have none of that! I don't get to monologue like you bad guys, so just relax! I--" Before he can finish, he suddenly finds himself and Blueno falling. "Whoa!" Both men strike the roof of the train car, pelted by the wind and stinging rain as they roll across it's surface. Run quickly bounds to his feet and turns to face a rapidly closing door. "Aah, fer--"

He rushes forward it, intending to stop it before it closes...but nearly goes tumbling right off the edge as it shuts in front of him. His geta scrape against the metal roof of the train car as he comes to a stop at the edge of the train car. With a grunt he leaps down, grasping the edge of the door and swinging himself into the train car just as another door slowly closes with Blueno and Robin behind it.

"Son of a bitch!" Run drops to a knee with a growl. "I..." He takes a deep breath and exhales slowly. "Whew." Hearing someone cough violently, Run turns his attention to Usopp quickly. "Crap! Uso-- Sogeking!" He stands and approaches quickly, crouching beside him. "Are you alright? Let me see." He takes a look at the wound on his stomach for a moment before actually chuckling. "Looks like you turned at the right time. Good job, Sogeking." He gives him a firm pat on the chest and flashes him a bright grin. "You stay here and take a nice rest. Luffy and the others should be catching up soon." He stands and approaches the end of the cart.

"Wh...What are you doing?" Usopp questions him, watching him push his sleeves up to his elbows.

"It's been a while since I've been swimming in rough seas." He reaches down and gingerly pats his bandages through his shirt. "Whew...this really gonna burn."

"You...You can't be serious!" Usopp struggles to sit up as Run glances over his shoulder at him. "If you try to...to swim in this storm...you'll definitely drown!"

"Aah, relax! I swim almost as well as I fight! It's probably my favorite hobby...well, second favorite hobby. I do love a good party, Sogeking...no, that's a lie. First would be partying, then playing with animals and THEN swimming." He turns his head up as if in thought. "Yeah...no." After a moment he nods firmly. "Yeah! Partying, playing with animals and swimming! In that order!"

"Are you an idiot?"

"Dahahahaha~! Only on days that end in a 'y'...!"