Koby tapped a few buttons, and the speakers crackled to life, emitting the telltale purururu of a transponder snail call. Then came a voice, cold and steady.
"…Everything in place?"
"Yes, sir. The team is on the island now. We've almost secured the targets."
Te and Koby exchanged a glance. That had to be White Crow's voice.
Koby's fingers moved across the keys again. "We need to trace that signal. If they're still out there, we might be able to pinpoint their exact location. They're not far from the island."
Te nodded, his eyes narrowing. "Good. Let's make sure they don't get a chance to disappear."
Koby worked quickly, fingers gliding across the console as he started the signal trace. Te stood behind him, his arms crossed, watching intently.
On the screens, a map of the island and the surrounding waters appeared, with several blips marking the traces of long-range transponder snail signals. Koby's eyes darted from one spot to another, adjusting the range until the screen focused on one particular blip a couple of hours away from Greed Island.
"There," Koby said, zooming in on the signal. "That has to be their ship."
"They're getting further away," Koby said, adjusting the console as he watched the blip on the screen. The Syndicate's ship was slowly moving further off the coast of Greed Island, heading into deeper waters.
Te clenched his fists, his frustration growing. "They're pulling out, but not because they failed. They're retreating to regroup. White Crow's planning something bigger, something worse."
Koby tapped a few keys, rewinding the signal feed from the ship. The conversation between the woman and White Crow played again, the chilling tone of White Crow's voice lingering in the air.
"You will wait. If they fail, we will proceed with Plan B. Do I make myself clear?"
Te's expression hardened as he listened again. "We need to stop them before they regroup. Whatever Plan B is, we can't let them follow through."
Koby ran a quick analysis of the ship's trajectory. "They're heading further into open sea, but they're not going at full speed. Maybe we can still catch them if we move fast."
Te nodded. "We don't have time to waste. Grab what you need. We'll take the boat and intercept them before they can slip out of range."
Koby stood up, closing down the console with a few quick motions. "I'll get the gear ready. This could be our only chance to stop White Crow before he pulls another move."
"Our first fight with a Warlord and we're only six!" t Te exclaimed. " Actually is this a good idea?"
"Not even close to one, but I rather nip this in the bud now before it becomes a problem."
Te shrugged his shoulder. "I'll get the food pills and wait for you by our boat."
Koby nodded his head. " Ok I'll be there in 5 minutes we have to finish this in a week before our spar with Bisky"
Te chuckled as he headed towards the supply room. "Yeah, if we're not back by then, she'll hunt us down herself."
Koby grinned, his eyes sharp as he finished packing up the necessary gear. "Honestly, fighting White Crow might be the easier option."
Te grabbed the food pills and a few extra supplies, tossing them into a small bag. His thoughts raced, adrenaline already kicking in. "We're taking down a Warlord, intercepting a ship, and we're doing it all before breakfast tomorrow."
"Just another day in the life, huh?" Koby said as he joined Te by the boat a few minutes later, fully geared up.
Te threw his bag into the boat and hopped in. "Ready?"
Koby climbed aboard, double-checking everything one last time. "Ready as I'll ever be. Let's go stop a Warlord."
With a final nod, they pushed off, the boat cutting through the dark waters as they set off in pursuit of the Syndicate's ship.
The small boat glided across the water with surprising speed, its sleek design cutting through the waves effortlessly. It wasn't an ordinary boat—this was something Te and Koby had built together over the last few years. It was a project born out of necessity and curiosity, a testament to their ingenuity and skills.
The boat, though compact, was equipped with everything they needed for long-distance travel and survival. The hull was reinforced with lightweight but durable materials they had scavenged from around Greed Island, ensuring it could withstand harsh conditions. The engine, a custom hybrid of electric and wind propulsion, was designed by Koby to minimize noise while maximizing efficiency. It allowed them to move swiftly and undetected, perfect for a stealthy mission like this.
Inside, the boat had a small but well-organized living space. There was a compartment for food pills and supplies, neatly stored away to conserve space. Koby had installed a retractable table and a set of collapsible chairs, allowing them to work on any projects or plans while on the go. A portable generator hummed softly, providing power to the various gadgets Koby had rigged, including a small radar system and communication devices.
Te, who had a knack for practical upgrades, had installed an advanced navigation system that used both the stars and the island's unique magnetic fields. The boat even had a small compartment for their weapons and training gear—just in case they needed to defend themselves on the water.
As they cruised towards the distant blip of the Syndicate's ship, Te sat at the helm, steering with an easy confidence. Koby, seated beside him, was adjusting the radar, making sure they stayed on course.
"Hard to believe we built this thing from scratch," Te said, glancing over at Koby with a smirk.
Koby grinned back, tapping the console. "Not bad for a couple of kids, huh? It's got everything we need—speed, stealth, and a place to sleep if we ever need to lay low for a while."
Te nodded, his eyes scanning the horizon. "Yeah, and right now, it's going to help us catch a warlord."
Koby glanced at Te, raising an eyebrow. "Alright, don't jinx it. Even you said you don't remember much about him. We're just gonna do reconnaissance first, then figure out our next move. We're not charging in blindly."
Te huffed, his playful demeanor slipping slightly as he steered the boat. "Spoilsport," he muttered. "I was hoping we could knock this out fast."
Koby chuckled lightly. "You really think it'll be that easy? This guy's got an entire crew of Syndicate members with him, and he's a warlord, Te. We need to be smart about this."
Te leaned back slightly in his chair, his smirk returning. "Yeah, yeah. I know. Still, you gotta admit, it's kind of exciting.
Koby just shook his head, smiling to himself. "Yeah, well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. First, we see what we're up against. Then, if we can, we strike. If not, we pull back."
The seriousness of Koby's tone tempered Te's eagerness a little. He knew his brother was right. This mission was dangerous, and charging in without a plan could get them killed. Still, the adrenaline of the chase was starting to get to him.
"Fine, reconnaissance it is," Te agreed, his voice more measured. "But if the opportunity presents itself..."
"We'll take it," Koby finished, giving him a nod of approval.
As the boys' boat drew closer to the distant ship, the radar's beeping softened to a steady hum. The Syndicate's vessel, large and ominous, was now visible on the horizon. Its dark silhouette contrasted sharply against the twilight sky, but the boys' small, advanced boat cut through the water like a shadow, virtually invisible.
"Stealth mode engaged," Koby whispered, flipping a switch on the console. Instantly, the boat's sleek surface began to shimmer, reflecting the surrounding water and sky, blending them into the sea. The hum of the engine quieted to a near-silent vibration.
Te adjusted his grip on the wheel, his expression sharp with focus. "We're close now. No sudden movements."
They were within striking distance but not close enough to be detected. The stealth modifications they had added to the boat over the years—such as the cloaking system that absorbed light and sound—were paying off. The boys had designed it specifically for moments like this.
Te's fingers twitched on the controls, itching to charge forward, but Koby's voice cut through the moment. "Wait. Let's see where they're heading."
Te frowned, eyes still locked on the ship. "You sure? We could take them out before they know what hit them."
Koby shook his head, his eyes glued to the radar as he monitored the ship's movement. "It's too risky. We don't know how many are on board, and White Crow could have traps set. We're better off following them to see where they dock."
Te exhaled, the adrenaline making him restless. But he knew Koby was right. "Fine. We'll tail them. Keep us just out of sight, and we'll follow their route."
Koby tapped into the boat's sonar, matching their speed with the Syndicate ship. "We'll stay in their blind spot. If they don't pick up on us now, we'll trail them all the way to their base."
As the Syndicate ship slowly moved further out to sea, the boys kept pace from a safe distance. They were patient, waiting for the right moment, their boat drifting along like a ghost in the waves.
"Wherever they're going, it's big," Te muttered, glancing at the ship's jagged metal spikes and dark flags flapping in the wind. "You think it's their main base?"
"Maybe. Or a rendezvous point," Koby replied, his mind already running through possible strategies. "We'll figure it out once they dock."
The night grew darker as they sailed silently behind the Syndicate ship.
The boys continued to trail the ship for hours, until finally they could see land.
Telet out a low whistle, "What a dark and ominous island."
"A little cliche don't you think."
"Wouldn't be our first boss fight without it."
"Let's dock the boat here, it should be fine if we leave it in stealth mode. Then we can Geppo the rest of the way there."
Te gave a playful salute. "Aye aye, captain!"
Koby shot him a look, unimpressed. "Please be serious."
Te, ever the jokester, repeated louder, "AYE AYE CAPTAIN!"
Koby groaned, palming his face. "Why do I even try…"
With that, they brought their boat to a quiet stop, anchoring it in the shadows of a rocky outcrop. The stealth mode activated, making it invisible even in the faint moonlight. Koby grabbed his gear, while Te bounced on the balls of his feet, stretching his legs in preparation for what was to come.
"You actually brought the Power Ranger suit."
"One It's now a Power Ranger suit, Two it's a Bio-organic suit to help increase physical ability, and three I brought you one as well."
Te looked at him flatly. "I'm not wearing that costume."
"But—" Koby started.
"I'm good," Te interrupted.
Koby sighed in defeat. "Fine. Whatever."
Koby activated the suit, and in an instant, a sleek, dark material spread across his body, encasing him in a high-tech bio-organic armor. The once innocuous-looking "costume" now looked formidable, sleek, and streamlined for combat. It pulsed with energy, enhancing his physical capabilities far beyond his normal limits. The HUD inside the suit's visor lit up.
Te glanced at Koby, arms crossed, half-impressed. "Okay, I'll admit, it looks cooler now. Still not wearing it."
Koby smirked, flexing his fingers as the suit responded with perfect precision. "Suit yourself. Just don't slow me down."
The boys moved in sync, their Geppo propelling them through the night sky like silent specters. Koby's suit made him nearly invisible against the dark clouds, while Te relied on his own mastery of stealth and Nen. Together, they cut through the night toward the Syndicate's ship, which had just docked at the ominous island.
As they neared the shore, Koby's suit highlighted several heat signatures up ahead. "Looks like a small crew just disembarked. We'll have to move fast if we want to follow them unnoticed."
Te grinned. "Fast is my specialty."
With a shared nod, they descended toward the island's edge.
The boys stayed in the air using Geppo. Their Geppo has evolved over the years becoming almost seamless, the noise generated from it was gone, and it appeared as if they were floating and not kicking the air.
They were also able to incorporate Soru and Geppo together if they wanted to drastically increase their flight speed.
Te let out a low whistle, "Damn, she fine as hell." His eyes lingered on the dark-haired woman disembarking from the ship with the other Syndicate members.
Koby shot him a glare, his voice low but firm. "Focus."
Te shrugged, a grin still playing on his lips. "I'm just saying, man."
Koby ignored the comment, his mind zeroing in on the situation ahead.
Te, on the other hand, split his attention between the mission and his usual antics. "You know, just because we're about to fight doesn't mean you can't admire the view."
"One more comment like that, and I'll leave you to fight them alone," Koby said, deadpan, scanning the Syndicate group for signs of the warlord, White Crow.
Te chuckled but quickly shifted gears. "Alright, alright. Back to business." His eyes flicked between the group and the terrain ahead. "So, what's the plan? Follow them to their base or take them out now?"
Koby narrowed his eyes, calculating the odds. "We need more information. We don't know enough about their strengths. We follow them for now. If they lead us to White Crow, then we strike."
Te nodded, his usual playful demeanor replaced with a sharp focus. "Got it. Stealth mode for now."
With that, they silently floated above the Syndicate group, using their Geppo to stay just out of sight. The duo had mastered the art of moving undetected, and tonight, they would put all their training to the test.
The Syndicate members made their way inland, weaving through the dense, shadowy forest that blanketed the island. Te and Koby followed from above, their Geppo silent as they glided through the air, mere shadows against the night sky. Below, the dark-haired woman led the group, her posture commanding as they moved deeper into the island.
Koby adjusted his suit's visor, activating the enhanced zoom function to get a better look at the Syndicate's formation. "They're heading toward something. Looks like a path."
Te followed his gaze, eyes narrowing. "Probably a hideout. I see a clearing up ahead."
As the Syndicate group advanced, the trees thinned, revealing an old, crumbling fortress nestled against the cliffside. Its stone walls were covered in thick vines, and several makeshift wooden structures had been built around it, clearly more recent additions. The place had been repurposed, probably serving as the Syndicate's base of operations on the island.
"Looks like we found their base," Koby muttered, eyes locked on the fortress. "Now we just need to figure out where White Crow is."
Te scanned the area, noticing the guards stationed along the perimeter of the fortress. "Lot of muscle. They're expecting trouble."
"That means White Crow's either inside or coming soon," Koby said, voice low. "We'll need to find a way in without alerting them."
Te grinned. "Infiltration? Right up our alley."
Koby nodded. "First, we wait until they're inside. Then we scope out the defenses. We need to know what we're up against."
The dark-haired woman stopped in front of the fortress gate, barking orders at the guards before leading her group inside. The heavy wooden doors creaked shut behind them, leaving the fortress sealed once again.
Te glanced at Koby. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
Koby smirked. "Yeah. Let's find a way in."
They floated silently down to the edge of the fortress wall, where the shadows were deepest. Te tapped on one of the stone bricks, testing its durability. "Climb or bust through?"
Koby pulled up the schematics on his visor, scanning the walls. "We climb. No need to alert the whole base just yet."
"Better Idea."
Te activated his Nen ability and shifted the stone mass to create an opening for them to go through.
Te grinned as he manipulated the stone wall, using his Nen to shift the structure and create a small opening just large enough for them to slip through.
"See? Better idea," he said, flashing Koby a cocky smile.
Koby rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smirk. "Show-off. But fine, I'll admit—that's faster."
They both slid into the opening, entering a narrow passageway that led directly into the fortress. The dimly lit interior was cold and damp, with the scent of mildew hanging in the air. The walls were lined with ancient bricks, worn and crumbling from years of neglect.
"THE KIDS ESCAPED CAPTURE THEM!!" A group of syndicate members charging towards them.
Te and Koby froze for a split second as the shouts echoed through the narrow passageway. Syndicate members charged at them, their footsteps pounding against the stone floor.
"Probably should have use En before barging in."
"YOU THINK! Welp there goes stealth lets just fight our way through."
Without hesitation, Te stepped forward, his hands glowing faintly with Nen. "Hand Pistol!" His hand shot out like a bullet, striking the first Syndicate member square in the chest, sending him crashing into the wall with a sickening thud.
Koby activated his bio-organic suit, instantly enhancing his speed and strength. With a blur of movement, he zipped past Te, using Soru to close the distance between him and the next wave of attackers. He threw out a quick flurry of precise blows, disarming and incapacitating two more men before they could react.
"Keep moving!" Koby shouted as he blocked a strike with his forearm and retaliated with a powerful kick, knocking another Syndicate member to the ground.
Te laughed, his eyes glinting with excitement. "Wasn't planning on slowing down!" He weaved between attackers, using Geppo to jump into the air and deliver a devastating dropkick to the next Syndicate member, sending him sprawling.
The passage became a blur of action as the brothers cut through the Syndicate forces. Every movement was coordinated, a perfect blend of raw power and fluid technique. Te was relentless, his attacks swift and brutal, while Koby was more methodical, using precision strikes to disable their enemies efficiently.
One by one, the Syndicate members fell, but the hallway seemed to be never-ending, and more reinforcements kept arriving.
Te glanced at Koby as they cleared another wave. "Think they're trying to overwhelm us?"
Koby smirked, not out of arrogance, but sheer determination. "Let them try."
They pushed forward, cutting through the resistance. The clamor of the fight filled the air, but amidst the chaos, Koby noticed something on the edge of his visor's display. His heart raced.
"Te," he called out. "There's a larger group coming up ahead. It looks like they've called for backup."
Te's grin only widened. "Good. I was just starting to have fun."
As Te and Koby dispatched the last of the current wave, the sound of heavy footsteps reverberated down the corridor, shaking the very stones beneath their feet. A dark silhouette emerged from the passage ahead, slowly growing larger as the figure approached. Behind him, a fresh group of Syndicate members formed a blockade, but it was the man at the front who caught the boys' attention.
Standing at an imposing 16 feet tall, the hulking man wielded a massive war hammer, its metal head gleaming ominously in the faint light. His muscles bulged beneath his torn, battle-scarred clothing, and his eyes burned with a fierce intensity. His presence alone seemed to make the air heavier, and a predatory grin spread across his face as he sized up the boys.
"Well, well, well," the giant man rumbled, his voice deep and gravelly. "Looks like I'll be taking care of the infamous little runts causing all this trouble. Name's Bludgeon. Hope you don't mind, but I'll be crushing you now."
Te whistled, impressed but unfazed. "Sixteen feet tall and with a hammer the size of a tree trunk? Finally, a challenge."
Koby, his eyes narrowing, took a step forward. "Let's make this quick. We've got bigger fish to fry."
Bludgeon didn't wait for them to make the first move. With a roar that shook the walls, he swung his massive hammer down toward Te, the sheer force of the attack creating a gust of wind that sent dust and debris flying in all directions.
Te grinned and, with a quick burst of Geppo, leaped into the air, narrowly dodging the hammer's crushing blow. The floor cracked and splintered beneath the impact, leaving a deep crater where Te had just been standing.
Koby, reacting in tandem, activated Soru and disappeared in a blur of speed, appearing behind Bludgeon with his fists glowing with Nen. He aimed a precise punch at the back of Bludgeon's knee, hoping to disable the giant's movements. However, Bludgeon shifted just in time, and Koby's fist connected with solid muscle instead of a joint. The impact was still strong enough to make Bludgeon stumble, but it wasn't enough to take him down.
"Nice try, kid!" Bludgeon snarled, swinging his hammer sideways in a wide arc.
Koby barely had time to react, using Geppo to vault himself into the air as the hammer whooshed beneath him, missing him by inches. The sheer force of the swing sent a shockwave through the corridor, rattling the stones.
Te used the distraction to come in from above. "Hand Pistol!" he shouted, driving a punch enhanced with concentrated Nen straight toward Bludgeon's exposed shoulder. The impact was fierce, but Bludgeon's tough, muscular body absorbed most of the blow, though he staggered back.
"Persistent little pests!" Bludgeon growled. With a furious roar, he lifted his hammer above his head and slammed it into the ground. The force of the impact sent cracks rippling through the floor, and a shockwave of energy blasted outward, forcing both Te and Koby to retreat momentarily.
"Alright, enough playing around," Te muttered as he wiped dust from his face. He exchanged a glance with Koby, and they both nodded. It was time to get serious.
Koby rushed forward again, using Soru to zigzag across the battlefield, confusing Bludgeon with his speed. The giant swung his hammer wildly, trying to catch Koby, but the boy was too fast, darting in and out of his range. With each pass, Koby struck with sharp, precise punches, aiming for Bludgeon's weak points: the knees, the ribs, and the back of the head. Bludgeon grunted with each hit, but his massive size made him difficult to wear down.
Meanwhile, Te hung back, charging up his Nen. His body crackled with energy as he focused his aura into his hands. "Time to end this."
Bludgeon, noticing Te's preparation, snarled and lunged at him, bringing his hammer down with all his might. But Koby wasn't about to let that happen. Using his enhanced speed, Koby appeared behind Bludgeon and aimed a devastating kick to the back of his leg. The force was enough to send Bludgeon's balance off, causing his hammer to slam into the ground just shy of Te.
Te, now fully charged, seized the moment. He dashed forward with blinding speed, using Geppo to propel himself into the air. "Jet Hand Pistol!" he roared, combining his Soru and Hand Pistol techniques to unleash a powerful, concentrated punch directly into Bludgeon's chest.
The impact was immense. A shockwave exploded from the point of contact, sending Bludgeon flying backward into the wall with enough force to crack the stone. The giant groaned in pain, his hammer falling from his grasp as he slumped to the ground, blood trickling from his mouth.
Koby landed next to Te, both of them breathing heavily but standing tall.
"Think that did it?" Te asked, wiping sweat from his brow.
Koby nodded, his eyes still locked on Bludgeon. "Yeah. He's not getting up from that."
Bludgeon, barely conscious, let out a low groan. "Damn… kids…" His body went limp, and the corridor fell silent.
Te grinned, leaning on Koby's shoulder. "Told you we could handle him. What's next?"
Koby smirked, already planning their next move. "Now we find White Crow."
(A/N The boys are still playing around they still haven't used Armament Haki or technically their full strength. They are a little arrogant and need a little humbling which Bisky provides once a month.")