They finally reached the source of the sinister aura. Even from a little closer, they could tell it was stronger than the one at Silph Co., and there was something familiar about it. Hibiki lowered his head in thought. Just then, the boy named Ace and the blond man named Lt. Surge appeared from the other side and joined Hibiki and the others.
"Idiot, where did you run off to?" Hibiki anxiously gripped Ace's shoulders with both hands and looked him over carefully. Besides, the ship wasn't following the promised schedule. It wasn't supposed to set sail until the banquet ended, yet it was already heading somewhere. If he'd known, he wouldn't have done this, though confirming the source of that aura had been half his reason.
"...I'm fine. Don't panic..." Hibiki's reaction stunned Ace, too. On reflection, it wasn't surprising. After all, Hibiki had been the one to invite him aboard this dangerous ship, though half of Ace's reason for accepting had been the same as Hibiki's.
"...More importantly..." Ace turned toward the door before them, and Hibiki turned his head at the same time.
They were both thinking the same thing: this sinister aura was familiar. In silent agreement, they approached the door marked Captain's Cabin and pushed it open together, each with one hand. Inside, they looked around and saw several guests from the banquet tied up along with the captain. Some were being beaten with iron pipes, others lashed with whips. Anyone would have recoiled at the horrifying sight.
"So it really was you?" Ace stepped forward, studying the man before him. He wore a white uniform with a red R on it, had short blue hair, and wore a blue scarf around his neck.
The man rounded the desk and walked up to Ace, black