"'Red Run," speaks Kuma, staring down at the red head. "First Mate of the Straw Hat Crew...I'll begin with you." Run raises his cutlass, resting the back of the long blade on his shoulder as he stares up at the Shichibukai. He glances over his shoulder briefly at the others before looking back to Kuma.
"Aah, well, that's fine," begins Run, calmly tapping the weapon against his shoulder. "But do you mind if we take this somewhere else, then? I don't want anyone else interfering in our fight, Kuma." He looks away from the red head towards the rest of the crew before looking back.
"A pointless suggestion. Regardless of where our battle is fought, the outcome will be the same. The death of the Straw Hat Crew, and all witnesses here on Thriller Bark. Those are the orders I have been given...and you have only yourselves to blame. You, and your crew, have earned quite a reputation. It's been said that Straw Hat Luffy has gathered a number of skilled subordinates on his ship." Everyone but Zoro, Robin, Brook and Run seem to be flattered by his statement...regardless of the situation. "You've stirred up trouble in multiple places. Yet, your Captain is not the only one who has made a name for himself."
"C'mon, pal, I'm sure we can at least talk about this. There--"
"Is nothing to discuss." Run sighs heavily and finally nods.
"Alright. I guess we don't really have a choice, do we?"
"O-Oi! Wait, Run!" screams Usopp. "This is crazy! You're not in any shape to be fighting! You're already battered and bruised clear to the bone!"
"Aah, what's the expression? 'No rest for the wicked'?" Run leans forward slightly, grip tightening on the hilt of his saber. "Churning Tide." Both Kuma and Run disappear before their eyes only to reappear several meters away, still standing across from one another. There's a loud 'whoosh!' seconds later, and the ground behind the two is split open by a myriad of deep cuts. The large Shichibukai holds his palm over the red head, staring down at him. It hums loudly, signaling one of those strange attacks of his. "Soru!" His figure blurs seconds before his attack strikes the ground, gouging it in a strange paw pattern. "Whoa-ho! What was--"
Kuma thrusts his palm in the red head's direction, and his attack barrels in his direction. It smashes through several layers of stone before finally exploding into a wall several meters away from them. Run stands beside the resulting hole in the debris, his shoulder turned. Run actually whistles in response, and glances down at his shirt which has a clean cut through it.
"Just what technique is he using?!"
"What's that weird mark he keeps leaving on everything?!" Nami demands. "What's going on?" Kuma holds his hand up, showing his palm to all of them, and the strange paw pads covering it. Everyone is completely confused as to what exactly an animals paw pad is doing on a person's hand. The cutlass in Run's hand begins to crackle madly before he steps quickly in Kuma's direction.
"Red Line Strike!" announces Run, thrusting his cutlass out. The attack races through the air towards the Shichibukai who quickly raises a hand, and deflects it to their astonishment. It sails in the direction of those gathered around, and strikes the ground among them. A resounding 'boom!' echos as those near-by are sent flying away in a storm of dust and debris. Kuma raises his hand, and gazes intently at the deep cut on his palm, blood dripping down to the stone.
"H...He deflected Run's attack!" cries Chopper. "Is that even possible?"
"Dahahahaha~! So THAT'S how it's going to be!"
"I have the power to repel many things," Kuma begins, slowly turning his attention away from his hand. "I am a Paw-Paw man, having eaten the Paw-Paw Fruit." Nami and Usopp wonder if perhaps there are soothing-types of Devil Fruit's out there. After all, it doesn't sound like a very threatening Devil Fruit.
"Perhaps he's more of a purr-lord than a warlord," mutters Franky. "Maybe he's not even that big of a deal." The Shichibukai points his hand at Franky, and fires one of his attacks. It strikes Franky in the chest, pierces through and explodes into the ground behind him. He goes flying with it, striking the ground several feet away.
"'Cyborg' Franky, is that the extent of your strength?"
"Franky got...sent flying from the front?" Usopp questions.
"He must be repelling air," reasons Robin. "Even if Franky was struck by a normal cannon it wouldn't hurt him."
"It is called 'Pad Cannon'," Kuma explains. "When air is repelled at the speed of light it creates a shock-wave that is capable of shooting through people."
"Shooting through?" Run echos. "Huh." The red head whirls the cutlass around before slowly shoving it back into it's sheath with a grin on his face. "That's an interesting--" Kuma turns to face Run once again.
"Your time is now up." Kuma raises both hands in his direction, as the red head readies himself. "Thrust Pad Cannon!" Both men move in a blur of motion, their hands flying with explosion after explosion sounding between the two of them. "Hmm. This technique...disrupting my air bursts with Emission Haki? Clever. But can you-- unh!" Kuma tilts his head quickly, an explosion sounding behind him.
"Dahahahaha~! I've got the stamina to go all night and all day, Kuma! So don't-- whoa-ho!" Run tilts his head just as quickly, barely avoiding one of Kuma's attacks. "Aah, you're really the worst match for me! I hate fighting at a distance so..." The attacks cease, and suddenly Run appears right before the Shichibukai, a grin on his face and an open palm raised. "...let's close the gap! Sea King's Bite!" His hand comes forward, and a loud 'boom!' echos across the island while a massive cloud of dust kicks up to obscure the two from view briefly. It's carried away by the wind seconds later, revealing four large gashes in the fallen tower beyond Run, while Kuma looms behind him, a hand hovering over Run's head.
"Stamina, agility, strength...and powerful Haki. I see now where your confidence comes from." Run glances over his shoulder at the massive Shichibukai, a grin still firmly plastered on his face and a twinkle appearing in his eye when he notices Kuma's nose bleeding.
"Aah, if ya put it like that, I might just start blushing!"
"That's as far as you go!" growl Sanji and Zoro, rushing to Run's aid. Sanji goes high, leaping into the air and kicking the Shichibukai in his face, while Zoro goes low swords slashing across his stomach. Rather that buckle under their combined assault, the only one who falls is Sanji. He cries out loudly, holding tight to his leg. Zoro looks at his blades, holding them out in front of him in disbelief.
"'Pirate Hunter' Zoro...'Black Foot' Sanji," drawls Kuma, rubbing his chin. "So, that would be the two of you."
"Why is his body so hard?!" exclaims Sanji. "Is he made of iron?!"
"F-Firebird Star!" calls Usopp, firing a flaming pellet at Kuma. The Shichibukai turns to look at the approaching bird of flames.
"'King of Snipers' Usopp," speaks Kuma. "What a presumptuous title." He raises his hand, and sends the flames barreling back at Usopp. Nami and Chopper scramble away from their sniper as he's engulfed by the flames of his own attack. When they settle, it reveals a charred Usopp who briefly spits out a small puff of smoke before dropping to a knee. Kuma turns his attention back to Sanji, Zoro and Run, staring down pointedly at the red head. "It's as I feared...I won't derive any pleasure from killing you while in your weakened state."
"Now that's not nice," Run tells him. "I was just warming up, is all."
"Unlikely. The Government has ordered me to annihilate everyone present, however..." Kuma raises his hands skyward, and they watch as he begins compressing the air above his head. What begins as a huge pocket of air shaped like a paw-pad, slowly begins to shrink.
"This isn't good," Robin mutters. "When all of that air depressurizes, it'll generate a huge amount of power. The sonic blast it creates will be just like a bomb." When the Shichibukai has finished compressing the air, it's small enough that he can cup it in his palms.
"I will spare your lives...in exchange, all you need to do is hand over the head of Straw Hat Luffy. As long as I return with his head, the World Government will not complain. Now, then...give me Straw Hat Luffy." The response is a resounding 'No!', shouted at the top of everyone's lungs. "What a pity." Kuma holds his hands out, and releases the ball of compressed air. It floats away from him towards the others, slowly expanding. "Ursus...Shock...!" Kuma stands, unmoving through the resulting explosion, that levels what little bit is left in the area...until finally only the Shichibukai is left standing.
He calmly walks forward, stepping over rubble and pirates alike until finally stopping in front of his target. Kuma tosses aside a large chunk of stone easily before bending down, his hand reaching for Luffy's throat. His finger's barely gaze the skin of his exposed throat before a blur of motion appears before him, passing by him faster than he can react and laying his shoulder open.
"Lion Strike!" exclaims Zoro. The swordsman glances over his shoulder at the large Shichibukai, his eyes going wide as he stares at the cut. "What...in the hell are you?" Wires, and metal peek through flesh and cloth, sparking and steaming. "Are you a cyborg like Franky?" Kuma turns to face him now. "No, you're stronger than tempered steel." Kuma opens his mouth, a bright light gathering within as he stares at Zoro. He dodges out of the way immediately, barely avoiding some sort of energy beam directed at him. Completely pulverizes stone, and even melts several steel I-beams among the concrete.
"A Cyborg," begins Kuma. "Although an accurate description, I am nothing like Cyborg Franky. I am the Government's incomplete weapon known as a 'Pacifista'. My developer is the governments genius scientist known as Dr. Vegapunk. He's the most brilliant man in the world. It's said his scientific knowledge is 500 years ahead of the rest of mankind." The rubble beside Zoro shifts suddenly, and then lifts with a grunt as Run reappears.
"Fuckin' hell!" complains Run, a grimace on his face. "C'mon...cut us some slack here, pal." He pulls himself out of the rubble and staggers several steps in Zoro's direction before finally dropping to a knee. "Really! It ain't that serious!" After several moments of silence he glances side long at their swordsman with a grin. "Aah...I never thought I would say this but...I don't know if I've got much more left in me. But there may be a way outta this yet so...I'm gonna make a call here. Whatever happens...just make sure the others are safe." Confusion appears on Zoro's face as Run forces himself to his feet. "Oi...Kuma, was it? Are you absolutely...intent on taking Luffy's head?"
"That is the most I can compromise."
"Well, in that case, I sense a deal. Ya need a head to serve the Government...so, I'll give ya mine." Run actually flashes the Shichibukai a grin as he crosses his arms. "Our bounties are the same, and although I'm not Luffy...I'm still the Yonko Shanks' son. That's gotta count for something. Hell, when all was said and done, I was going to be even stronger than the old man...no, that's not true. I'm gonna be stronger than anyone else!"
"Are you truly willing to die for this man when you harbor such an ambition?"
"Dahahahaha~! It's pretty rare that we get to choose when we cash out. If I can buy my friends safety with my life...then it's worth it. I'll do what I have to do...and know that Luffy WILL become the King of the Pirates!"
"Wait right there, idiot!" calls a familiar voice. Zoro and Run both look in the direction of the voice, and find Sanji stumbling in their direction. "You're really gonna throw your life away and leave Robin behind like that? You care that little about her feelings? And how can you just go along with this, moss head?" He walks around to stand in front of the two, facing Kuma. "Oi, Colossus! Instead of taking that dumbass red hair's life, take mine instead! The Marines don't think much of me, but before long, I'll be the most dangerous member of the crew! I'm Black Foot Sanji! Now, kill me! Don't take his life, take mine! I've always been prepared to sacrifice my life for them...this is where I'll die gloriously!" He's silent for a moment before taking a deep breath. "Oi...please give my regards to the others. Sorry, but you'll have to look for another cook."
"Dahahaha~! Look at you, casanova! Make this big dramatic entrance and stealin' my spotlight like that." Run strides forward and suddenly grabs Sanji's shoulder. He turns him quickly and drives a knee into his stomach hard enough to drop him to his knees. Sanji grabs the red head by the collar of his newly acquired coat, attempting to stay up and succeeding only in pulling it from him as he starts to collapse.
"Why, you...!" Run grabs him by the front of his jacket, and tosses him back to Zoro.
"Aah, now that THAT'S taken care of..." Run grins up at the Shichibukai. "...let's get on with our regularly scheduled event, Kuma." The giant stares down at him in silence for several tense moments before sighing heavily.
"If I harm Straw Hat now, I will only shame myself," Kuma tells them.
"I appreciate that." Kuma turns, and reaches down to Luffy.
"Trust me not to harm him. I am a man of my word." He picks up their unconscious Captain. "In exchange, I will...show you Hell." Kuma presses a hand against Luffy, and Run watches as a huge red palm print is pressed out of his back. "What was just expelled is all his pain, and fatigue. This is all the damage that he accumulated during his battle with Moria. If you want to take his place, then take all of his pain and suffering unto yourself. Standing at death's doorstep, as you already are, it will be impossible for you to survive. Have a small taste."
Kuma brushes his hand along the side of it, and sends a small bubble towards Run. It enters his chest, and pain unlike any he has felt radiates through his body. A ragged scream tears out of his throat as his nerves are set on fire from pain, and he pitches forward. However, rather than fall he braces himself at the last moment, spitting out a small mouthful of blood with a grunt before taking a deep breath.
"Oh-ho...aah, fuck me...!"
"Well?"
"N...Not here," grunts Run, blood-shot eyes turning towards the Shichibukai. "Somewhere...Somewhere else." With a nod Kuma lifts the bubble and casually strolls away with Run following. "S-Stay here, Zoro." The two walk quite far from the others before Kuma sets down the bubble of Luffy's pain and fatigue. The Shichibukai then, turns and calmly walks away leaving Run standing before it. He takes several deep breaths before grinning...and surging forward, shoving his arms all the way up to the shoulders into it...
- - -
Shouting voices echo across Thriller Bark, as those knocked unconscious by Kuma's blast finally come to. Relief tints the voices of everyone present, glad that they seem to have 'tricked' Kuma into believing their were all dead after his attack. Laughter sounds as well, when Luffy comes to, hopping up and down as if he hasn't a care in the world.
"Oi, oi! Look, look!" laughs Luffy. "My body feels so light! Why is that?" The others are rather skeptical of this to say the least, especially considering how banged up he was before. The last one to come to his Sanji, who pushes himself up quickly when his eyes open. He scans their surroundings rapidly, finding no sign of Zoro, Run or even Robin. He stands and takes off sprinting immediately, looking around for any sign of the two of them.
"There's no way," growls Sanji. "There's no way that everyone pulled through this alright! Where are those dumbasses?!" Out of the corner of his eye, he spots the three of them standing silently among some debris. "There! Damn it! You two idiots scared me! You even went and dragged Robin all the way out here! Where did that Shichibukai get off...to?" Blood streams from the red head who stands being bandaged up by a very obviously worried Robin. "Where did all this blood come from?! Oi! Is he alive?! What happened?!"
"He's fine," Zoro assures Sanji.
"J...Just...fell down...some stairs...is all," Run assures him weakly...
- - -
Zoro, Sanji and Robin helped to move Run back to the rest of the crew where Chopper nearly has a heart-attack upon seeing his wounds. The red head passed out before his treatment had even been completed. Everyone else wasn't far behind, falling asleep and staying asleep through the whole day and following night. Despite Sanji attempts to question Zoro and Robin about what happened they instead remained completely silent while sitting at the red head's side. When noon finally rolled around the next day, they decided that it time to have a big feast! They've defeated Moria, recovered their shadows and even escaped Tyrant Kuma! Luckily, not only has their stolen food been recovered, but someone even added MORE food to the panty, and even treasure! It seems there are some nice people in the world! So, they gather what they need from the ship and head back to the same court-yard where everyone is sleeping.
"Oi!" screams Luffy, carrying a huge sack of food over his head. "We brought food!" Those members of Lola's pirate crew, wake up immediately. "Is Run awake, yet?"
"He needs absolute rest!" calls back one of them. "So, he's sleeping in the--" The sound of geta clacking against stone draws their attention to the entrance of the mansion, and everyone's jaws nearly hit the floor when they find the red head in question walking out, one arm supported by Robin and clutching his cutlass in the other. He's wearing a pair of joggers, and his grey coat draped over his shoulders while nearly his entire torso is wrapped tightly in bandages. "What the?!"
"Aah, I thought I heard you, Luffy," Run says, offering him a grin. "Guess I slept in a bit, huh?"
"How are you awake right now?! No! How are you up and moving after--"
"RUN!!" Luffy shouts, seeming to cover the distance before any of them can react, and launching himself at the red head. He wraps arounds and legs around the man, a grin splitting his face. "Hahahahahaha~! I knew that you'd bounce back right away!!"
"Dahahaha~! I told that idiot cook I just fell down some stairs!" Run assures him, embracing him with his free arm. "What's everyone all worked up over?" Luffy keeps laughing for several moments until Run attempts to pry him off. "A-Alright, you're gettin' a bit heavy here. C'mon, time to get down." Luffy holds tight regardless at least until Run suddenly jabs him in the ribs with the pommel of his sword. "C'mon, get off!" Luffy grunts and drops down on his behind in front of the red head. "I'm still wounded here, jeez."
"Aaaah! That hurt, you jerk! What did--"
"What's going on?!" Chopper calls from inside, sprinting out quickly. "What-- RUN!! Waaaaah! What are you doing out of bed?! Your wounds are even close to healed! You need complete bed rest!"
"Dahahaha~! Relax, relax!" Run says with a grin. "I just wanted to stretch my legs is all, doc! Besides, Robin is with me! What could--"
"That's NOT the point! Go back inside and lie down!" Robin actually giggles and with some instance on her part as well, both escort the red head back inside to lie down on the make shift bed they've set up for him. Chopper quickly produces his doctors bag, removing several tools to examine the red head. "It doesn't seem that your wounds have reopened...but you NEED to rest! No more walks, at least not for now! You--" Run reaches up and gives him a gentle pat on the head.
"Alright, alright. Since its your orders, I'll rest up, doc. Thanks for looking after me."
"Y-You idiot! Hearing you say that doesn't make me happy at all, idiot!" After a few moments, Chopper regains his composure and clears his throat. "Honestly, this is the worst condition I've seen you in, Run. Normally, you use that Haki stuff to shield your body but...what happened?"
"Aah, like I said, I just fell down some stairs."
"There were no stairs around you!" Usopp cries. "Someone can't get that busted up falling down stairs, least of all YOU! Luffy's been bursting with energy ever since, too!" Luffy and Franky make their entrance now as well, carrying massive sacks of what they can only assume to be food.
"Yeah, that's really weird, huh?" Luffy asks, grinning at them.
"To be honest, I saw what happened," speaks one of the 'risky brothers' as they've heard them called.
"I saw what happened from beginning to the end," adds the other. Before they can spill the beans, however, Zoro promptly turns and grabs the two of them. He drags them out of the room with Sanji tailing them. Zoro drags the two of them far away from the others before stopping. "What's wrong? Don't you want us to tell them?"
"No," Zoro retorts. "Not a single word, especially not to Luffy."
"Not so fast," Sanji says. "I want to know what happened. Tell me what happened after I blacked out." The risky brothers explain everything that they saw, not sparing a single detail. When they're finished, they naturally want to tell everyone what happened. "Hold it!" Sanji stops the two of them as they start to run off towards the others. "You're not going to tell anyone. Do you think he did it just to earn the gratitude of everyone? How do you think the rest of the crew would feel? Especially Luffy? How do you think he'd feel finding out his oldest friend almost died for him? So, you're not going to tell anyone." After a few tense moments they both nod in understanding.
"Alright," agrees the taller of the two. "But...I do have a question. What he said before...is he really...Red Hair's son?"
"Yeah. But that's a secret, too. Don't say a word about THAT, either." Sanji and Zoro turn and head back towards the others and so the party starts in earnest as soon as Sanji has finished his cooking. Everyone stuffs themselves as if they haven't eaten in years, all of them enjoying the delicious food made by their cook.
"Aah, everyone's partying like there's no tomorrow," Run says, gently leaning against Robin. "Shame I can't join."
"Doctor's orders?" Robin asks, turning her head and giving him gentle kiss on his shoulder.
"Yup. No alcohol until my wounds heal." He sighs sightly as he reaches towards his coffee cup, nearly knocking it over before he can catch himself. "Aah, gimme a break." On his second attempt he grasps the handle and lifts it to take a sip, all while Robin watches him intently. "I'm fine. Fingers are still a little numb, is all."
"Have you told Chopper?"
"Yeah. He says it'll wear off by this time tomorrow." He sets the cup down carefully, and then turns to look at Robin before recoiling slightly when he finds a fork confronting him. "Oh?" A grin appears on his face. "What do we have here?"
"Can't have you struggling to feed yourself, can we?" The red head accepts her offer with a wink and a smile. Several minutes pass in a comfortable silence as she feeds him, and when he's finished she sets the plate down, gently leaning against him. "When I first heard what happened from Zoro..." Her hand finds his, fingers intertwining. "...I was furious. I wanted to smack you in the head and ask you what you were thinking."
"Dahaha~. Full disclosure...I WASN'T." He turns his head slightly, finding himself staring into her eyes. "Aah...sorry."
"Well...that's certainly how I'd describe your current condition." Run grins and nods in agreement.
"That's not too far off how I feel, either." The red head's grin slowly fades and he sighs. "I didn't...I...there was no good option, Robin. As beaten down as Sanji and Zoro were, it had to be me. It might have killed one of them."
"It could have killed YOU."
"No. I promised you before..." He raises their hands and presses a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "...I'm not going anywhere." Suddenly, through the crowd of celebrating people come Chopper, Nami and Luffy. Luffy hefts a barrel under one arm, grinning from ear to ear as he approaches and then slams it down in front of the two. "You, uh...find a barrel you like, Luffy?"
"Huh?" grunts Luffy. "No! It's sake! I know that it's your favorite, so I thought it might help you heal up!" He lifts the barrel up and holds it out in offer quickly. "So, drink up, Run! You need to get well as--" Nami smacks him in the back of the head immediately while Robin giggles.
"Like hell!" shouts Nami.
"Why not?! This will fix Run right up, since it's his favorite!"
"Why type of treatment is that?!" demands Chopper. "Run isn't allowed to have any alcohol until his wounds have healed!"
"Really? Then what about meat?"
"L-Look, the sentiment is more than enough." Music begins echoing through the room moments later, attracting their attention. Brook sits in front of a piano, playing a tune that Robin, Luffy and Run all recognize right away. Brook begins singing 'Binks Sake' along with his playing, and the trio all smile.
"Binks Sake," murmurs Robin, leaning her head against Run's shoulder. "This takes me back." Shanks, Luffy, Robin, Run; they sang it all the time when they partied...it's a song engraved in their hearts and minds so deeply it will never leave. They were singing it the first time she met the all those years ago, and every time after that. The party goes on through the night, with Luffy again inviting Brook to join the crew. However, he still has reservations...he has to return to Laboon after all.
Luffy puts his fears to rest when he assures Brook that Laboon is still waiting, happy and healthy for his return. Although, it shouldn't be physically possible for a skeleton to cry...Brook manages to do just that. When he's finished, he agrees to join the crew, pledging to work himself to the bone for the sake of Luffy and the crew. He even shares with them his wanted poster, revealing that he has a bounty of thirty-three million Beli. In the end, what had started out as a simple celebration had turned into two solid days of partying, during which time Run had almost completely healed from his wounds. A feat which astounded Chopper almost to no end. Which Run's wounds almost completely mended, they decide it's time to set sail! They pack everything back up on the Sunny, and gather at the dock.
"Alright!" Luffy shouts. "Now that Run is awake, let's hit the seas! Onward to Fishman Island!"
"Gotta swing through Sabaody first, Luffy," Run reminds him with a grin, wrist resting on the hilt of his sword. "We need to get the ship coated or we can't get to Fishman Island." Run has changed clothes just like the others, opting for a navy blue cotton v-neck long sleeve shirt with a pair of black pants similar to his old style, and his coat draped across his shoulders. Zoro goes striding past them, attracting the attention of Chopper, who immediately screams at him for removing his bandages.
"You seem really eager to set sail," Lola says. "Are you guys really leaving?"
"That is the plan," Franky tells her. "You guys can take Brooks' ship. I fixed the rudder and sails, so it's ready to go!"
"You guys have been such a big help in so many ways. I owe you so much that I couldn't begin to thank you. I'd love to marry you!" Franky smirks in response, and runs a comb through his pompador several times.
"You're a great catch but, unfortunately, I'm just too cool. It wouldn't work out." The risky brothers attempt to persuade them to stay and party some more but Luffy is raring to go to Fishman Island. Sanji agrees, ready to 'frolic' with some beautiful mermaids. Brook, Sanji and one of the risky brothers are all over the moon at the mention of mermaids.
"Why do you guys know so much about Fishman Island?" Usopp questions.
"We passed through there on our way here about three years ago," Lola explains.
"Whoa, you went to the New World, Lola?" Nami asks her.
"I didn't go there, I was born there. My mama is a pirate. Oh! Right!" Lola reaches into her jacket and produces a slip of paper which she tears in half. She offers one half of it to Nami. "Here. This is my mama Vivre Card. You can have a piece."
"Ooh! You're so lucky!" exclaims the shorter risky brother. "Captain Lola's mama is an amazing pirate. You should take good care of that! It could come in handy!"
"What's a Vivre Card?" Nami questions.
"You don't know?" Lola replies.
"Aah, it's a good that's only available in the New World," Run tells her. "It may look like a normal sheet of paper but it's very special. It's water and fire proof, and even reflects the physical condition of the person in question. They're made by taking a few nail clippings to a shop and having them mix them in with special paper. If you then tear it in half and give it out to friends or family, you can always find them. Watch." Run takes the slip of paper from Nami and places it on the ground. It starts moving without delay, pulling itself across the dock slowly. "No matter where the person you give it to is, it will always pull in that direction." Lola picks it up, and quickly signs the card.
"I'll sign it for you. So if you ever run into trouble you can find my Mama, and she should help. If you see her let her know I'm doing well."
"It's like the piece that Ace gave to me, isn't it?" Luffy chirps. "And like the one you have, Run!" Luffy takes his hat off and digs the piece of paper out. When he shows it to them, Run's eyes go wide. Half of it is smoldering, and charred.
"Gimme that!" Run says quickly, taking the paper from him and examining it closely. "Aah, hell."
"Wh-What is it? Whats wrong?"
"Ace is in trouble, Luffy." Even though Run says this, Luffy doesn't react. Instead, he orders them to continue making ready. When they've finished, they raise anchor and set the sails to leave Thriller Bark. They all wave their good-byes to Lola and the other pirates. After they've left Thriller Bark and everyone far behind, Run finally catches up with Luffy, who is sitting on the upper deck of the Sunny. "Hey, Luffy."
"Hm? What?"
"Are you sure you don't want to go after Ace?"
"I'm sure he's fine. If he's really in trouble, I doubt he'd want us to worry about him. He hated it when I butted in when you two were fighting, remember?"
"I...I know that. But...are you sure? No one would mind a detour, Luffy."
"He wouldn't want us to worry." Sanji leaves the kitchen with a tray of drinks, and after personally delivering one to both Robin and Nami, he throws the mugs to the others...ignoring whether or not they actually catch them. "He hates it when people see him looking weak. So, he'd probably just yell at us for butting in." Run nods in agreement and snatches the mug thrown at him out of the air. "That said...let's drink to our new crew mate, the musician, Brook!"
"CHEERS...!!"