The Second Piece: Ghost City Part XIII

And now, just like the mighty tiger, I say...cuckoo.

The Suffering Pirates' Painful Adventure Volume 3: "Sailing in silence on Shiten"

We return to the desert island, where the men's ship is approaching. They are looking very worn out.

Comren: Whew...that one storm almost capsized us more times than I can count...

Rodaro: Well, we're here. So now what?

Willard: All this will be for naught unless we get the public on our side. Only with the public's support will Marin's regime topple.

Man: Yeah, but I'm pretty sure Marin would find us and kill us in about 5 seconds. You got a better idea?

Willard: Don't you worry. Let's head back to Terradise, and I'll tell you my plan there. *To Comren* Once you come back and get Nettle, you're free to leave with your ship. You have our thanks for your services.

Comren: No sweat...but I think I'll stick around. I've developed an interest in your little plot, and I'm anxious to see it pan out.

And so, the men head back into Terradise, though they have to be very sneaky doing so.

Man: Is it just me or has Marin stepped up his guard in the past week? Why is he so anal about people getting in and out, anyways.

Rodaro: Well, seeing how it's people like us who have an interest in leaving, I'm not too surprised.

Later, the men congregate in their old hideout. They do have some anxious and excited greeters.

Rodoran: Dad! Uncle Willard!

Willard: Great to see you, Rodoran, but if you wouldn't mind sitting down, we have some things to discuss.

Rodoran, the other children, and the men's wives sit down to hear what is going on.

Willard: All right, so as you know, we went on a wild expedition on a minor hunch that something was up. And I can't believe it, but I was right. Just take a look here.

Willard pulls out a beaker full of Dance Powder, and after explaining it, everyone has looks of shock on their faces.

Willard: ...and that's what this has come to. Our plan now is to broadcast this truth to the public. I'll let Rodaro go over the plans.

Rodaro: Right. Three of our men here will infiltrate Marin's trade port and cause a major disturbance, without being seen. This will almost certainly distract Marin enough for the rest of us to start our broadcast. If done right, this will lead to the public knowing the truth about Marin, and revolution will be inevitable.

Willard: ...it's risky, but it's the only possible way. Let's go!

Rodoran: Hey, Uncle Rodaro, I wanna see this!

Tanburu: Me too!

Cottontail: Me three!

Rodaro: Very well then. Willard, I'll trust you with taking care of them.

Comren: If you're OK with it, I'll watch with Nettle as well.

And so, everything is prepared. Rodaro and four of the men wait anxiously in an alleyway. Three other men wait in the shadows in the trade harbor, awaiting their cue. And Willard and Comren stand on the roof of a building, looking down at the town square.

Rodoran: Uncle Willard, when's it gonna start?

Willard: It's almost 3:00...any time now...

Rodaro: All right...now.

When the men in the trade harbor hear this, they each pull out a slingshot and take aim at several boxes being unloaded. They shoot, and hit their targets. The boxes come crashing down, shattering and creating a huge ruckus.

Phantoms: DISTURBANCE DETECTED. SEARCH THE IMMEDIATE AREA AT ONCE.

The men then run behind another box, and shoot at more unloading cargo. This time the cargo happens to be rather volatile, and it explodes when it hits the ground.

Phantoms: MAJOR ACTS OF TERRORISM DETECTED. NOW SUMMONING LORD MARIN.

Man, into Den Den Mushi: Yes! It worked!

Rodaro hears it from his Den Den Mushi. It's time now.