String of Fate (One Piece)

Chapter 45: Interesting? Indeed.

3rd POV

"Seriously what a pain." Marco states as he lands down on the ground next to his fellow crew mates. 

"Ah calm down Marco.  Things just got a little spiced up."  Thatch commented as he put his hands on his hip as the others crew mates tied up and dealt with the defeated Silver Raiders.  

"Ugh seriously!  It's Berton's fault that our plan failed!  Where the hell is that bastard!?"  The captain of the Silver Raider's yell as he gained his conscious back after Vista beat him.  Marco raised his brow as he walked over to the man.  

"Berton?  Your right hand man?  Where is he if he isn't here with you?"  Marco questions as his eyes scan the area realizing that the man wasn't here and saw that he had noteworthy strength since the last time they had been at this island.  

"Tch!  That bastard was supposed to be at the back of the island at the other port!-"  The captain of the Silver Raiders stopped himself.  Marco's eyes widened as he turned towards Thatch and Izo. 

"The back port!  That's where Haruta had docked his ship at.  Though he was here fighting with us, some of his men were back there!"  Marco said with worry about his comrades. 

"That's right.  If I remember correctly that Berton guy was decently strong.  I don't think they'll be able to hold him back.  If anything he'll get to the people who are in the center of town."  Izo informed as he placed his guns in his holder.  

"But wouldn't you think we would've heard the screams and commotion of the people from hear if they were in harms way?"  Namur spoke as he walked towards the other commanders.  Thatch nodded his head as he stroked his beard. 

"That's a good point.  Maybe one of our crew members took care of him?"  Thatch spoke as he scanned the area. 

The other commanders did as well seeing most of their strong fighters all here.  "Though it wouldn't hurt to see."  Izo said as he crossed his arms.  The couple commanders that were grouped up exchanged looks before deciding Marco and Izo would head to the opposite port, seeing that Marco could get there the fastest. 

"Pops we'll be checking out the other side of town!"  Marco called out to White beard as he shifted into his phoenix form and picked up Izo.  White beard raised a brow but nodded anyways sending off his first mate. 

As Marco and Izo flew over the town they saw the streets empty and taking cover in the houses and businesses in the center of town.  As they flew closer they saw a group of people in the empty street right by the docks as they watched something go out to sea. 

Izo raised a brow as Marco flew down seeing men huddled up and tightly wrapped against each other.  Landing Marco and Izo looked at these injured men who were wrapped up in red strings. 

"What is this?"  Izo asked as he picked up some broken red strings in the middle of the street.  

"I'm not sure what happened here."  Marco stated as he looked through the group of men before finding one man who they were looking for knocked unconscious and tightly wrapped in these red strings, more than the others.  He was bloodied and bruised.

"Just what happened?"  Izo commented as he came beside Marco seeing these men all beaten.  Izo bent down to see Berton's wounds. 

"A slash.  Seems that they all were beaten similarly." Izo stated seeing the similar cuts but Berton's happened to be worse. 

The two walked closer to the dock to see one of their ships, to be precise Haruta's ship. 

"Huh?"  Izo mumbled out as his foot had kicked something.  He bent down and picked up a piece of wood which was painted and looked to be apart of a mask.  "What is this?"  Izo asked as he inspected it and held it in his hands