Raiders of the Lost Mausoleum I

[Sam]

-- CHAPTER VII // Raiders of the Lost Mausoleum

Nanohana, Alabasta...
Weeks after the massacre in Rainbase

---

SLAM

A fist came hitting the table swiftly, the person whom this fist belonged to was the renowned archeologist Mr. Chives from St. Poplar the island of the Spring Queen as it was called. A place where you could find many oddities if you knew the right person. Chives was an odd-looking man of about average size but with his white hair in the shape of an onion.

He was dressed in a similar fashion to a cliche explorer with a handlebar mustache and safari hat which he currently had on the table. Likely something he used to keep his protection under the Island's harsh sunlight.

"So hows everyone?"

He asked with a friendly smile, despite his harsh impression at first he seemed to be much kinder. The people in the room stirred... it was filled with a couple of mercenaries, bounty hunters, and some actual explorers. Most people looking for a quick buck! Among them was Gen who stared blankly at the chubby archeologist in front of him. This had been one of his odder jobs in Grand Line but like everything, it was one he made out of personal choice.

Sort of, the story of how he got here was actually quite comical. You see, after arriving at Alabasta more specifically at its port town of Nanohana down in the southern tip of the Island he got approached by Mr. Chives who begged him as well as a batch of new arrivals to the island to assist him in a grand endeavor. Finding some hidden tomb of an ancient king! Or some nonsense like that.

Gen didn't mind, or rather he didn't really care. He was being promised money after all, and besides Mr. Chives offered water for free. Ample amounts of water something Gen was in the great desire of seeing as he hated this island.

No not because of it's people or culture... he was sure those things where lovely. No, the Tengu hated the heat... the sun! The damn thing was his enemy. He would go as far as to deem this Island worse than Resinbar. Except, he had met Miu in Resinbar and that automatically made the other desert island much worse than this one. Gen frowned, having reminded Miu made him very upset.

"Right... a quite crowd this one is."

Mr. Chives uttered, he looked around the room at the various faces who had agreed to help him. They all maintained silence, a few of the more friendly ones smiled but they didn't speak or say anything. The onion man turned around pulling down a map of Alabasta on the wall. He grabbed a thin long pointer and pointed at the map... more specifically he pointed at Nanohana which is where they were at the moment.

"We are here! In this nation's capital! But I suspect that King Apu-kahman's Tomb is somewhere down... here!"

The archeologist pointed at Erumaru, a city closer to the coast and just across the river. Gen tilted his head looking at this new location.

"This city was one of the oldest cities in all of this nation... of course now it's in ruin after a draught that happened two years ago."

The Archeologist explained, he moved a bit closer to his desk and opened a drawer. Out of it, he pulled a small basin the top of which was in the shape of a jackal one of the guardian spirits of Alabasta. It had a name engraved on it... barely legible due to wear and well the fact that most in the room couldn't even understand the language it was written in.

"This was found near the city... on it is written 'King Apu-Kahman's liver'... the ancient people of this nation accustomed to mummify their lords thorough and extensive and elaborate ritual which involved organ removal."

At this point most of the people in the room were looking at each other confused, it was clear that many of them were not as well studied as Mr. Chives who was in expert in this field. Nonetheless, most of them nodded in agreement as if to understand what was being told to them. The reality was they didn't care about the past... they just wanted money.

"This piece is proof his tomb is nearby. Finding it may uncover more about this nation's extensive past and through it, we can learn more about ourselves."

Mr. Chives smiled proudly, giving the conclusion to his statement.

"Any questions?"

He added Gen didn't have any. He had learned everything he needed from this individua and was pretty much bored with any next plan of action. The confused look of many of the hired muscle seemed to support this. But, there was always someone willing to dig just a little deeper. However, it didn't seem anyone was immediately asking anything... the Tengu wasn't one to ask much but there was something bothering him just a little bit. He shot his hand up first. 

"Yes the red guy!"

Mr. Chives said pointing at Gen.

"Are we going to break into teams? If so how will we go about that?" 

Gen asked, the Archeologist who opened up his eyes wide. It seemed like he hadn't exactly thought about this just yet.

"Well... that's a good question! We'll pair you up in twos... you can choose your partner."

He answered, it was cheap answer but an answer at that. Gen shrugged, fine by him... he didn't care who he had to work with just as long as it was someone worth his time. He turned to look at the others and it seemed like the lot of them were beginning to pair up already. Who to work with... Gen wondered. 

-- NAME // Gen Momochi

-- CLASS // C

-- TECHS USED // None.

[Mr. Moon]

Yuri #1 

Yuri was traveling. After he and his people dominated the criminal underworld on his home island, he decided that he deserves at least short vacation and traveled on Grand Line. There he was switching from one cruiser to another, until chance took him on Alabasta, desert island with rich history. His original plan was to stay on the island for few weeks and travel between it´s cities, but than fate intervened once again and he was approached by some crazy professor who was recruiting bunch of soldiers of fortune for an archaeological expedition. Yuri didn´t care much about history and he didn´t care about the promised reward, but he cared about promise of adventure and so he agreed to his proposal.

That consent led him into overheated room full of shady looking guys and gals that obviously cared way more about moneys than their own mothers. The professor was talking about some king whose name Yuri couldn´t even hold in memory, let alone pronounce and so, instead of listening to his speech, he was screening the crowd around him to pick one or two interesting fellows with whom he could possibly hang with. The red guy with long pointy nose immediately picked his interest. Not because he looked strong, but also because with such red skin it was obvious that he spend more time in this strong sun than anyone else and so he should have decent experiences with this island and it´s deserts.

So when the red guy asked about teams and the professor came with uncertain answer on the spot he decided to use the opportunity to sit right next to him.

“Hi, my name is Yuri, let´s be friends.”
He smiled and reached to the Tengu with his right arm.

[Sam]

-- CHAPTER VII // Raiders of the Lost Mausoleum

That was fast... Gen thought to himself, almost immediately as he turned around a young man with sharp teeth seemed to show interest in him. He had a foreign-sounding name but then again every name sounded foreign to Gen who happened to be from a more isolated nation. Even so, it seemed this Yuri fellow wasn't from Alabasta if he had to judge on general appearance and attire. Something that would become apparent as well given Gen's kimono and general Wano styled clothing.

"Well met Yuri. I am Gen."

The Tengu said he extended his own right-hand shake Yuri's. Upon contact, it would be clear that Gen's body temperature was above the norm. Perhaps a couple of extra degrees that made it uncomfortable to make direct skin contact with him.

Gen took this time to look over Yuri carefully, he seemed young and impressionable. There was an almost wolfish aura around him that made the Tengu a bit on edge but not enough to outright make him fearful of the lad. Gen was no stranger to intimidating people something that came in handy especially when traversing the Grand Line. Hell, this room was filled with people of that caliber... ruffians, and mooks who'd make a child cry with just a glare.

"Well, do you want to team up or what? Most people here are grouped it seems."

Gen says, he then turns to see what Mr. Chives has in mind. At the moment it seemed he'd gone silent... occasionally nodding as groups formed. Once they did he decided to take charge once more. Pointing again at the abandoned city with his long thin pointer.

"Please get ready! We'll depart as soon as possible. Meet me at the docks in four hours. Meanwhile, you can use the facilities to rest, wash up, and recreate."

He said, his tone changing from an excitable one to a firm one. With that, he shrunk down the pointer with his palm and marched out of the room. The others began to follow up taking to different parts of the rooms. Gen turned to Yuri after all was said and done.

"Wanna get a drink? Since we'll be partners you know? Best to get to know each other while we're at it."

-- NAME // Gen Momochi

-- CLASS // C

-- TECHS USED // None.

[Mr. Moon]

Yuri #2 

“Nice to meet you Gen”

Yuri firmly squeezed Gen´s hand with wolfish smile only to realize, maybe little to late, how hot it is.

“Man, looks like you are all fired up for this challenge.”
He laughed as he quickly shook with his hand to cool it down a little bit. For Yuri this was clear signal that he underestimated the Tengu in both his potential weirdness and skills, which made this choice of partner even more interesting for him.

“So...”

He tried to start some small chat as he was sitting next to Gen.

“Yeah let´s be partners.”

He agreed to his proposition after while as he took another second or two to screen the crowd around them. But since he couldn´t find anyone more interesting he settled for the Tengu.

“Why did you joint this expedition, you don´t strike me as an archaeologist.”

From the way Yuri focused his attention to gen it was pretty obvious, that he isn´t really interested in the words of professor Chives or this expedition for the matter. So the wolf guy even almost missed the fact that their benefactor already leaved the room followed by majority of their coworkers...or rather competitors? As he didn´t listened Yuri couldn´t remember if there will be some fiscal bonus for the group that will actually find something or not and he didn´t cared. But what he cared was invitation from his partner to dring.

“Yeah, I am pretty thirsty myself.”
He nodded in agreement and got up on his feet.

“Lead the way partner, this is my first time in this town, so I have no idea where we can find some quality drink”

Yuri smirked counting on his deduction that with his red skin Gen have to be member of some desert dwelling tribe who is familiar with this place.

[Sam]

-- CHAPTER VII // Raiders of the Lost Mausoleum

Based on the looks Yuri gave him Gen could tell the young man seemed interested in his odd appearance. That wasn't the first, a man dressed in typical Wano garb running through an already exotic country like Alabasta was sure to bring some odd looks especially when you consider his red skin.

Gen tilted his head on the fired-up comment, not noticing his skin was hot. He shrugged it off instead leading the man out of the archeological facilities... he did bring up a more concrete question. Why had Gen gotten into this archeology gig when he wasn't an archaeologist.

"Why did I take this? Well... Mr. Onionhead over there begged me to that's why."

Gen asnwered, Mr. Chives was already gone so he had no problem talking about him like that. All things considered, the Tengu was simply being honest, it was true! Mr. Chives' hair made his head seem onion-shaped. In the end, he let out a sigh and a shrug as he opened the door out into the sunny outside world.

"I also did it for the money, I am a bounty hunter, not a grave robber but... at least it's something to do on this forsaken island."

He said raising his arm at the sky and shaking it at the sun. Gen was making it clear, he wasn't fond of sunlight! It was uncomfortable... for that reason he suggested getting a drink! For cover from the burning sun and of course to get to know his partner better.

The Tengu had only spent a few days on the island but he'd become fairly accustomed to traveling through Nanohana in his local travels he had learned about a local shisha bar known for its smoking dens and arak a special liquor made of aniseeds the seeds of the anise plant, that when crushed, their oil provides Arak with a slight licorice taste.

"I know a place, Fennec's Den! It serves a local drink called Arak. It's not bad all things considered."

The Tengu tells his partner, they walk through the town for a bit until they arrive at a two-story square building made of hardened clay and wood. Gen opened the saloon doors that made up the square building's entrance.

Once inside the atmosphere was completely different from that of the outside world. A constant mist of smoke was in the air as some of the guests smoked their sweetened tobacco out of their hookah pipes. Gen turned to Yuri once they where inside and said.

"This is the place..."

For the most part, the place seemed calm with people drinking, smoking, and chatting all dressed in the local Alabasta garb of fezzes or desert scarves. The place was mostly filled with men of varying ages but a woman or two were scattered about... the inside of the place was cool and dim unlike the hot and bright outside. Gen leads Yuri to the bar at the front where the Tengu took a seat on one of the stools waiting for the tender to ask him what he wanted.

-- NAME // Gen Momochi

-- CLASS // C

-- TECHS USED // None.

[Mr. Moon]

Yuri #3 

As Gen explained his motivations for joining this expedition Yuri got slight suspicion, that his companion maybe isn´t as experienced in this kind of things as he hoped, which was later only confirmed when the Tengu displayed his disdain towards the scorching sun.

“Well, at least he isn´t boring.”
Sighed Yuri for himself as he was following the long nosed bounty hunter to nearby tavern that was supposed to be famous for a local drink, that Yuri never heard of before.

“Arak? Doesn´t rink a bell, what is it made from?”
He asked just to make sure as it wasn´t even three hours since some locals tried to pour him with some fermented mildly alcoholic camel mil. His stomach shook uneasily just from the memory on that stench.

Fortunately the place Gen picked was nothing like the back alley he visited after his arrival. Well it was nothing like the pubs on his home island too, but at least it was smelling good thanks to the omnipresent flavored tabacco.

“Looks comfortable.”

Yuri followed his red skinned guide inside and sit right next to him on one of the bar stools, summoning the bartender with a simple gesture.

“Arak for me and my new friend.”
He ordered without letting Gen to say a word and than turned on him.

“So, bounty hunter, sounds like pretty interesting profession. Does it brings a good money?”

[Sam]

-- CHAPTER VII // Raiders of the Lost Mausoleum

Gen tapped his chin making deep humming noises as he thought over his answer.

"Arak is a drink made from anise, it's a grain basically nothing crazy. It does have a slight licorice taste."

The Tengu turned to Yuri momentarily before turning back to the bar. Most of the tenders seemed busy giving out food or drink to the local patrons. Gen waits for a few minutes until one of the tenders seems free and available.

The red man motions for him to come over and so he does, the Tender in question is a man of medium stature with a tan complexion. He has a black Turkish styled mustache and wears a small red fez upon his head. The tender does a light bow to the Tengu.

"Yes! What can I help you in?"

The bartender asks, however, his question is quickly answered by Yuri who asks for Arak. The man nods and writes two Arak shots in a notepad. As the man writes these things down, Gen thinks. He feels like ordering something extra perhaps something to munch on. This sort of drink is usually accompanied by an appetizer or light food one can eat. After thinking through his list of options Gen settles on fried calamari since it's the more neutral medium of food that is usually used to accompany liquor.

"While you're at it, good Sir. Please write down a bowl of fried calamari."

Gen says, the bartender nods taking note of the order and immediately leaves across the counter entering the preparation room which is behind a bead curtain. The Tengu then turns to Yuri to resume his conversation, after all this was the point of this outing. Getting to know his partner... although it was also an excuse for booze and shade from the piercing sun. It however, seemed like Yuri took the initiative to begin talking about each other.

"Bounty Hunting brings in money, but its more than just money. It's a noble cause to protect others and to feed my poor family back in Wano."

The Tengu explains it was true. Money was good and in part, he did what he did for money, but the reality was that he didn't really keep much of his money, he only kept what was necessary to feed himself. The rest was spent on gold which was later smuggled into Wano so that his family of farmers was well fed and stable. The other side of the coin was a noble cause.

Gen cared about the common people... they were always bullied and beat down. If he could protect them from pirates and ruffians of the sea. If he could fight against them and take them down one by one. Then he would feel he was doing his job right. Even if it took his entire lifetime... as long as he could secure the safety of the innocent. He would pursue his endless goal.

"How about you? What do you do for a living Yuri?"  

-- NAME // Gen Momochi

-- CLASS // C

-- TECHS USED // None.

[Mr. Moon]

Yuri #4 

Sitting behind the bar, Yuri listened as his new associate ordered bowl of fried calamari together with the arak. Thinking about it right now he should probably order something too as drinking on empty stomach wasn´t really smart idea, especially in such hot place like Alabasta, but it was mistake he could fix later. Right now his attention was completely focused on his red skinned companion whose story was getting more and more interesting with every sentence he said.

“Wait, so you are from Wano?”

On Yuri´s usually bored and uninterested face could be clearly seen how hyped he suddenly became.

“Isn´t it, like super closed secretive country or something? I only heard rumors about it so...do tell me more. Is it true that it´s ruled by samurais and yakuza, while demons and animal spirits are haunting in the forests?”

Right now Yuri felt as if he found a golden vein. If the guy in front of him was really from Wano, just meeting him would be worth all the moneys and time he invested into this journey. Well if he would be willing to share the information with him of course. But fortunately that was something he could help him with as he realized, when the bartender brought them their drink.

It was after the glass was standing right in front of him, when he finally realized, that Gen asked him about his own occupation. Not knowing how he may react on his real job, Yuri decided to lie a bit in this case.

“Well, I am afraid my job is far less exciting than yours. I am business man. I own steelworks company in the West Blue and yes before you ask, I inherited that business from my father so, I am just owning it, while people more competent than I am are taking care about the actual business.”

In the end it wasn´t such a big lie. Actually just a few years back it would be complete truth.

[Sam]

-- CHAPTER VII // Raiders of the Lost Mausoleum

A smile curled up on his lips.

"Yes, I'm from the one and only Wano... I take it based on your reaction you've heard of my homeland hahaha!"

Gen chuckled, taking up his drink which had been brought to his table. Shortly after the bowl of fried calamari with some sauce was brought up... a combination to have drinks with. It was frankly quite surprising that someone knew about Wano. It wasn't common knowledge. In fact almost everyone he'd run into so far had no idea what it is.

Only a Marine girl he'd met in Drum Island was aware of it and a few people from New World. For the most part people from the Blues and Paradise seemed oblivious of its existence. Gen narrowed his eyes, that made him wonder how the son of a business owner in the West Blue knew about Wano.

It could be that he read it in a book... but frankly that was a bit difficult to believe simply based on the persona that Yuri had demonstrated thus far. Either Yuri was related to some nobles or he was related to Marines somehow. Not that Gen cared about that sort of stuff... but the Tengu didn't take being lied to very well.

Not to mention he wanted to keep away from the Marines after his encounter with a Cipher Pol Agent in Water 7. With every step Gen took in a World Government affiliated nation he felt watched. Defeating the Vandal and a few pirates with large bounties was garnering attention he wasn't particularly fond of.

"That's nice Yuri. I've never been to the West Blue. But, I did beat up a famous thief from there once. It was quite crazy... I was on top of a radio tower that was on a massive Island Turtle that swims across the calm belt!"

Gen scratched his chin reminding his squabbles against Piper on top of the sea turtle. It was a hard-fought battle, one that could have been faster if he had already known about steel cutting by then. Brutus one of the henchmen was a hard-fought battle. Although, maybe it was best if he didn't breeze through things... after all his Grandfather had an old saying. 'Those who struggle are the ones that learn important lessons and end up on top in the end.' The Tengu smiled as he remembered those sagely words.

"I'd tell you the story but it's not as interesting as you might think I swear. Fighting Hamlin Piper and his goons were one of my least impressive adventures."

-- NAME // Gen Momochi

-- CLASS // C

-- TECHS USED // None.

[Mr. Moon]

Yuri #5 

It was almost unnoticeable however, when Gen quickly changed topic from Wano to some adventures of him Yuri slightly frowned. He wasn´t interested in any adventures of this bounty hunter however interesting they might be as any adventurer could tell him similar stories. He was interested in the Wano specifically because Gen was the only one who could give him some valid information about it. Obviously he was trying to avoid this conversation, for whatever reason he may had, however unfortunately for him Yuri wasn´t that type who would give up one he started something.

“Island Turtle? Now that´s something!”

Yuri smiled after emptying his glass. After finally tasting it, he realized that Arak won´t made it into his personal top 10, but it wasn´t so bad either. Especially for his purposes. So he gestured to the bartender to attract his attention.

“Bring us another round good sir and something to eat for me let´s see...”
The Mad Dog looked at the menu, only to shook his head as he got better idea.

“I´ll leave it to you. Brink me something whatever you think is a good match to this drink, you have my utmost trust.”

With that he turned back to the red Tengu again with wolfish smile on his face.

“Either way Gen, I read that in Wano there is this super powerful mafia organization called Yakuza that have so much power that they can even influence the king...no what was the title...Shogun?” 
He tried again to direct Gen story to the direction he was interested in. After all as a mafia boss himself he could only profit from knowing this information, because if something could work there why it couldn´t work here?

[Sam]

-- CHAPTER VII // Raiders of the Lost Mausoleum

He wondered why a boy who owned a steel company would be interested in a band of gangsters... it was a bit suspicious. He'd think that Yuri would be more interested in Shinobi and Samurai than a bunch of peddlers.

"Aye... the Yakuza are very really powerful. Hmmm, they were once very respected too... keeping crime rates low and by extension the streets safe."

Gen shook his head as if to be disappointed, a frown came over his face. The Tengu removed the pipe from his mouth and stopped stroking his black-beard with his red hand. Things in Wano had changed for the worse ever since the current Warlord Orochi took control.

It wasn't something Gen wanted to speak of... he was born around the time the struggle and change of government happened. The current Wano was the Wano he knew... save for the stories he was told by his older siblings and grandfather. It was a disappointment that his nation was under such a regime.

"But things in Wano aren't like they used too... I'm afraid my country isn't at it's best at the moment. I never got to see the Wano of old I was too young... a mere newborn. But, if the stories I hear are true. Then our beautiful nation truly has fallen."

The Tengu sighed rubbing his forehead a bit as a disappointed father would to his son. He placed the pipe began into his mouth to take some puffs.

"So the Yakuza is now more corrupt than ever. They don't protect the streets anymore. It's my hope that things change for the better soon."

-- NAME // Gen Momochi

-- CLASS // C

-- TECHS USED // None.

[Mr. Moon]

Yuri #6 

Yuri was carefully listening to Gen´s explanation of the current situation, quite obviously saddened with the current news. When he was younger, he found in the school´s library one old, dusty book written by traveler, who managed to get inside the Wano Country and lived there for few years, before he get back to his native West Blue to write about his adventures. In his book, he described many interesting aspects about the life in this closed country, but Yuri was always most interested in the working of Yakuza, who were described there as a “noble gangsters” or sort. His obsession with them was so strong, that he even modeled his own gang and the way it worked according to the information from the book. Hearing, that his childhood heroes fell so low was heartbreaking for him, but he tried his best to not let his new friend to know.

“Well, that´s a shame, I read some amazing story about them and their bosses.”
He admitted at least part of the truth, to not raise more suspicion that he already did. Right at the time, the bartender bring him his snack together with another drink, so the Mad Dog took a few moments off the conversation to eat something before his stomach could start to rumble.

“But I guess it´s always about the leader. On my home islands the gangs were just a bunch of thugs interested only in protection money and turf wars, before one guy showed up and beat them into submission. Now they still demand their protection money, but at least they will really protect your business for it instead of beating you up if you doesn´t pay.”

Yuri slightly smirked.

“So maybe it will be your job, when you´ll return home one day, to put them together and teach the current Yakuza some manners.”

With that the topic was closed for the Mad Dog and so he raised up his glass to a toast.

“On new friendship and honorable gangsters.”

[Sam]

-- CHAPTER VII // Raiders of the Lost Mausoleum

The Tengu looked down at his drink swaying it a bit as he stared at the colorless liquor below. Yuri was being too optimistic... Wano was an island in New World not some small West Blue island full of minor threats.

Going into Wano and trying to control the Yakuza all willy nilly was a suicide at best. Frankly, the last thing Gen wanted was to mess around with Wano affairs. There was no way he was strong enough to do so anyway. Especially with the Beast Pirates controlling every inch of the island.

"Perhaps... but I'm not sure my own people will welcome me in the first place. I left Wano and I don't think returning is a good idea. At least not anytime soon."

That was the other side of the coin... Gen had committed a crime. One that could get him killed. Leaving Wano was dangerous business and if Gen made an attempt to return he'd either be killed or thrown straight into business. Of course, Yuri could be forgiven for his ignorance. He was just a boy from the West Blue who didn't know any better.

Frankly, very few people knew better and likely for that very reason many of them died shortly after entering New World. It was a place dominated by pirates and only the powerful survived. If you didn't keep your head low you were likely as good as dead. That's the reason Gen had opted for trying to get to Paradise as quickly as possible after his escape.

"Anyway, let us be positive! On new friendship and honorable gangsters.”

Gen rose his shot and tapped it against Yuri's making a click sound. He then downed the whole thing letting out a breath of satisfaction. Today, was a day of rest and cool air... the Tengu would savior the moment while he could. Because the following day would be a day of hard work and hot weather.

The Alabasta desert was an unforgiving place even to those who were hardy like Gen was. Even though the Grand Line had shaped the Tengu into a capable warrior he was still wary of its dangers. He wasn't invincible after all and he lacked a Devil Fruit something that for the most part seemed to make the trek a tiny bit easier for some. Especially Logia types.

"I'm not sure how I feel about looking in tombs, Yuri. I don't know about you but I'm praying to the Kami that we don't awaken an angry spirit."

-- NAME // Gen Momochi

-- CLASS // C

-- TECHS USED // None.

[Mr. Moon]

Yuri #7

When Gen started to talk about his possible return home, Yuri frowned his eyebrows as to him it looked almost as if the red-skinned Tengu was afraid of such voyage. The young gangster heard some rumors about Wano country and the ocean it was in being incredibly dangerous and ruthless, but never payed much attention to them. Were they actually true? Or did he had a different reason for not wanting to go home? Yuri didn´t know and honestly even didn´t want to, as this man´s private matters were none of his business, so he just said:
“Well maybe you should get a bit stronger and find some trustworthy allies, that makes everything way easier.”

With that he raised up his glass tapped it against Gen´s before downing it into himself.

“Well, to be honest...”
The wolf man took a while to think about Gen´s next words as he wasn´t sure if the red warrior is just trying to test him or if he is really that superstitious.

“I am just on the trip around the world. I got myself involved in that expedition because it was the most exciting thing going on, on this island. So if we would really meet some angry spirits it would be awesome, as there are no such things back home in the West Blue.”

Yuri´s smile became wider as he continued with his response.

“However, if you know about something that could be a more interesting than looking for lost secrets of some long dead people, I am listening.”

He really hoped that he didn´t estimated Gen´s character wrongly. It would be a shame if he allied himself with someone who will try to chicken out just because of few angry spirits or something similar.

[Sam]

-- CHAPTER VII // Raiders of the Lost Mausoleum

The Tengu turned to face Yuri.

"Perhaps Yuri, perhaps hahaha... I can tell you the Grand Line has made me stronger that's for sure. But, I still think I need friends for that voyage you know? To share on the adventure with!"

Gen looked down at his empty cup reminiscing on the fact. He'd made quite a handful of friends in his voyages through the Grand Line and even in his short stay back in the North Blue sadly his line of work made it hard to stay in contact with people for too long.

The truth was Gen was always on the move trying to find the next bounty or the next job to simply survive another day. Another week. Another month.

Another year. It was something that he found hard to admit but he wanted friends not just to share an adventure with. But also for emotional support. The Tengu turned back to Yuri looking him in the eye.

"Aye, you got strong will kid. I was just testing you on the spirit thing... most people aren't prepared for the unexpected. I must say you're a brave soul."

He burst out laughing. Although deep down he did worry they may disturb some ancient evil he was still optimistic about his ability to combat it. Learning about the past was both important and it helped guide a brighter path for the future.

But sometimes things were hidden for a good reason... things that were never meant to be uncovered. That's what Gen feared about this little expedition. Maybe he was being negative and nothing would happen. Maybe it was just going to be a very boring expedition.

"Well I'm a bounty hunter... and we still have a long day ahead of us. If you want to do some bounty hunting I'm game... I can teach you the ropes too if you're ever interested in becoming one yourself."

Gen offered. He really wasn't planning on doing any bounty hunting but since Yuri had insisted on doing something fun or different the Tengu felt obliged to at least offer the young man something fun to do. After all, Gen would love to have a mini apprentice for a while... especially Yuri who seemed to be full of potential and enthusiasm.

"Well? What do you say? Or would you rather rest for our long day of boring traveling tomorrow?"

-- NAME // Gen Momochi

-- CLASS // C

-- TECHS USED // None.