Ryo had wandered ahead of the group without a word.
He doubted anyone even noticed he'd slipped away — between alarms, satellites, CP0, and whatever emotional hurricane Bonney was in, his absence probably blended into the chaos.
He walked slowly through the gleaming halls of Labophase, hands in his pockets, tail swaying lazily behind him.
Ryo (thinking): I would go with them, but it would involve so much angst and I've had enough for that for a lifetime. I'm pretty sure everyone in the crew has some traumatic parent-related backstory, including myself
He snorted quietly, shaking his head.
Ryo (thinking): pirates, revolutionaries, kings, cyborgs... figures
⸻
Elsewhere, amid shattered metal and fractured pavement, Itsuki dragged himself upright. His body still ached from the brutal beating he'd taken — cracks in his armor-like skin slowly knitting back together.
Standing over him was Rob Lucci.
Lucci's stare was cold. Judging. The same look he gave prey right before deciding how long it would suffer.
Lucci: so you let dragon killer Ryo beat you, how pathetic
Itsuki straightened fully, stepping forward until they were nose to nose. The air between them felt tight, dangerous.
Itsuki: Please lucci, you were getting your ass handed to you for most of that fight
Lucci's eyes narrowed sharply, killing intent leaking out in waves.
Itsuki didn't even flinch.
Itsuki: face it lucci, he was playing with his food when he fought you. Meanwhile I was fighting someone who never goes easy on anyone. I can easily tell if you had fought Ryo, he might have just killed you
Haki crackled between them, invisible sparks snapping like lightning in a storm cloud. For a moment, it felt like CP0 might implode from the inside.
Then Lucci exhaled.
Lucci: believe what you want, but we've still got a job to complete. One satellite is down, including vegapunk there's 6 more, this won't be easy
Itsuki slipped his coat back on, the fabric fluttering behind him as his composure returned.
Itsuki: No-one ever said it would be, that's why they called us
Without another word, they turned and regrouped with the rest of CP0.
⸻
Back in Labophase, Ryo wandered aimlessly, boots echoing softly against pristine floors.
Ryo: Kuma... I had no idea you had a daughter. I still don't know why you saved us all on sabaody or protected the sunny for all that time, it's not making sense
His fox ear twitched as if trying to catch a sound that wasn't there. His single red eye narrowed slightly, mind racing.
The puzzle didn't fit.
Ryo (thinking): a tyrant... a pacifist... a revolutionary... a father...
He stopped suddenly and ran both hands through his hair, frustrated.
Ryo: argh! All this thinking isn't gonna get me anywhere!! Why do I even care to begin with! That bastard sent flying into impel down! That wasn't ok kuma! You asshole!
He crossed his arms sharply, scowling at nothing in particular.
Then his shoulders dropped.
Ryo (softly): although... it was the only way I had a chance to join the war, so I guess it worked out in a way
Before he could dwell on it further—
A piercing alarm blared.
Red warning lights flashed across the walls, bathing the corridor in crimson.
Ryo: well..that can't be good
The announcement echoed through the entire Labophase.
Announcer: Labophase defence system. Frontier dome now deactivated
Ryo froze.
His eye widened.
Ryo: what..deactivated, but those defences were just put up because cp0 is after vegapunk, meaning... someone shut it off intentionally, but the question is who and why
A chill ran down his spine.
⸻
Outside, CP0 stood beneath the now-exposed Labophase.
The once-impenetrable barrier shimmered — then vanished completely.
Lucci looked up.
Lucci (confused): did something happen up there?
Kaku's eyes lit up with excitement.
Kaku: let's hurry! This is our chance! Who cares why?
Itsuki tilted his head slightly, suspicious.
Itsuki: I care, because it could very easily be a trap
Kaku waved it off.
Kaku: or! It could be our only opening. We would be fools to let it pass us by
Lucci folded his arms, unconvinced.
Lucci: this is entirely too convenient, they know we want in there
Kaku grinned wide.
Kaku: we can't complete our mission if the barrier is up. Trap or not this is an improvement in my book.. I'm going for it
He leapt upward, kicking off the air with practiced ease.
Kaku: you snooze you lose!
Lucci, Itsuki, and Stussy watched him ascend.
Stussy: well there he goes
Lucci/Itsuki: Tch
Moments later, they followed — four figures hovering effortlessly in the air.
Kaku turned back smugly.
Kaku: there see that?, lemon squeezy and nobody exploded, what do you know
Stussy tilted her head.
Stussy: oh it wasn't a trap
Kaku pumped his fist.
Kaku (excited): let's bust the door down and go get em, this is our golden opportunity
Lucci's gaze sharpened, predatory.
Lucci: The wolves are at your door vegapunk, fortune has failed you at the worst possible time
Itsuki cracked his neck, eyes gleaming.
Itsuki: Alright you damn scientist! I'm feeling frustrated and a good bloodbath is exactly what the doctor ordered
⸻
Elsewhere inside Labophase, Ryo slowed to a stop.
His entire body stiffened.
A presence washed over him — vast, overwhelming, wrong.
Not CP0.
Not Vegapunk.
His heart skipped, then thundered.
Ryo trembled — whether from excitement or fear, even he couldn't tell.
Ryo: Someone..is coming, someone far worse than CP0
The air itself felt heavy.
And whatever was approaching...
was not subtle.
And that's a wrap
That's why I love this story
