( He scowls, shooting a glance at the balcony's edge before responding, )
That punk... I couldn't get my sword back from him.( Because he's already laid claim to Mutsunokami. ) Look, I can stand here arguin` with ya about who's who and why ya should trust me but I gotta go.
( And he's putting one leg over the balcony's edge, )
[Well, one of them is a shitty imposter, and the only way to find out which is to follow. Zoro just nods and pulls Shuusui from its saya, wary but prepared in case a complete fight breaks out. As long as he can keep both of them in sight, he can work out the truth and know where that precious vessel belongs.]
( Well, Mutsubot sure is just going to hop right off the balcony in true Mutsu fashion. Look, he's a spirit so he can handle jumping down from anime heights okay!! Zoro probably can too since he's shounen but your move.
When he lands, he looks around to try to find Mutsu the rascal. )
[He sure can, Zoro shounens it up and lands with a thud next to Mutsubot, holding his sword low in a guarded position. Hmm, where did the other one go? He stretches out with his haki out of instinct, not even thinking that he wouldn't be able to sense the robot version...
...and that's when it hits him. His head slowly turns to regard the blank, empty space next to him where one Mutsu stands, while he can feel Mutsu's spiritual aura somewhere off elsewhere. Oho.
For now, Zoro clamps down on his reaction, mostly because he wants to make sure Mutsu's all right before he turns his sword on the wrong one. He can feel presence but not whether he's been injured or anything.]
Think he's hiding or running?
[because if this thing is as alike to its original as they say, it might be able to predict what the real Mutsu would do.]
Definitely hiding. No way he's letting me keep this if he can help it.
( This gun was inherited from his most precious master, after all.
And sure enough, Zoro will be able to sense Mutsu pretty close-- on the move and out of sight. He definitely isn't moving as fast as he could but given the circumstances, it's actually because he's just trying to not be noticed. He's moving slowly but carefully and steady and if Zoro is really paying attention... he's actually moving back up towards the apartment, sneaking up the stairs and trying to get to a higher ground.
Mutsubot can also sense something. Spirits have a way of being able to feel out other spirits and it looks like Mutsubot has been able to inherit this. It's easier to sense a spirit when they have dark intent, something Mutsu definitely doesn't have, but there's definitely a vague presence of another spirit around them. Where? He can't quite pinpoint but Mutsubot knows. )
Ya heard that? I know ya're out there! I know all ya'r tricks even better than you so don't even try to get one on me.
[Zoro shifts his gaze to the gun, mostly to keep from telegraphing the way he can follow that moving aura around behind him and above, now. He rests the blade of Shuusui against his shoulder as he waits, tensing slightly. How long can he keep up pretending, now that he's aware which one is the living one?]
Should probably check out all the buildings along here. He probably can't just break into any old apartment but the hallways are open. Stores. Lobbies. Y'know.
He's somewhere up there.( He knows. )He'll want the higher ground but he can't get too far as long as I got this.
( And he raises his gun, pointing it up at the balconies, the windows, and-- one shot rings out in the air. A warning. )
What're ya gonna do?! No way ya can fight me from where ya are.
( Mutsubot's range is much greater and just as deadly if not more, depending on how you want to compare guns and swords.
Meanwhile, Zoro might notice a curious change. There are now two presences, both of which are Mutsu. One is much more concentrated, active and moving still, circling around the apartment balconies to come around Mutsubot. The second presence is stationary and fainter but definitely Mutsu. The weaker presence is is definitely somewhere on the second floor balcony and the first one is now making it's way up, sneaking onto the third and then fourth floors, positioning itself across from them. There, it stops. Mutsu is waiting for the right opportunity now. )
[huh, that is definitely a strange signature, he's not sure what to make of it. Zoro's Observation haki isn't as strong as he'd like but he's pretty sure something's up, up there.
He follows Mutsubot's gunshot, squinting into the light.]
Nah, not from here. He's smart, not showing himself.
[seeing is only half the battle. Zoro chances it, glancing over his shoulder toward the mobile aura, trying to make it look like he's idly scanning the buildings on both sides of them and not call direct attention to Mutsu]
My depth perception's not what it used to be, you know. I don't see anything.
( Zoro was 100% right when he said Mutsu wasn't going to break into any old apartment but right now, there are more important things at hand. That no good impostor is dangerous and while he doesn't doubt Zoro's ability, that thing is too close to his friends for his liking. Where the concentrated energy is, there's a loud crash-- shattering glass from one of the apartment windows and a curtain being thrown down. In a split second, that concentrated, moving presence from earlier has disappeared but that second, stationary one suddenly feels a lot stronger.
Mutsubot aims a shot at the sound of the glass and at the falling piece of fabric. Of course, he doesn't hit anyone and before he can realize--
If Zoro is following Mutsu's presence, he'll be able to catch Mutsu jumping from the balcony again, sword drawn and coming right at Mutsubot. Mutsubot turns around just in time to catch Mutsu's sword with his gun and Mutsu jumps back, landing between the bot and Zoro. )
And pretty smart now showin` ya all of my tricks too! ( Because that sure was a trick he just did. ) Bet ya couldn't do that, could ya?!
( Whatever "that" is. His sword is drawn in a defensive stance at Mutsubot, his back turned to Zoro but he'll chance a quick glance. )
[The crash of the window breaking gets his attention, too, but Zoro's got his inner sense trained on the weird auras he can feel, so he notices that change far more quickly and even as the robot version shoots at the distraction, he's already shifting in the other direction. By the time the real Mutsu lands, he's ready to go with two swords out, Kitetsu now in his right hand.]
Yeah, I can tell.
[he moves up alongside Mutsu, his stance more open and ready to attack]
( It's a relief to hear Zoro believes him because at least he doesn't have to watch his back. )
Just fine. ( Which sounds like he's the opposite of fine. He's mad. He's angry. He's so incredibly offended right now which probably explains why he's overcompensating as he continues, ) I'm fine! Everything's fine!
( And Mutsubot growls. How dare Mutsu try to show him up? He can be just as tricky and he aims the gun right at Mutsu. )
Yeah? ( Eyes shifting towards Zoro, gun still aimed on Mutsu, )Ya're really gonna pick this guy over me?
I thought ya were a better swordsman than that... pickin` a useless guy like him over me, tch.
[yes that was some kind of veiled crack at the gun. Not that he cares if Mutsu likes it but in this kind of fight? He will make sure his blades are between any bullet and Mutsu, don't even second-guess that.
And as they face off, he starts to grin recklessly. That's right, he's not really mentioned his haki to anyone, they don't know what he can do. Best to keep that mostly on the downlow at a time like this...]
Besides. There's nothing living in you. Trust me, I can tell. Pull that trigger and you're gonna regret it.
[He still won't leap into this duel unless invited, but man, he is itching to take down the punk who tried to fool him and get him on its side. Damn robots.]
( Mutsubot laughs at that-- loud and confident just like Mutsu but there's a cold, steeliness to it. )
Gahaha! Get with the times. Don't ya know?( And he pulls the trigger, one, two, three times-- this thing won't really run out of bullets since it isn't limited by physical means. It's a part of Mutsu's actual spirit and just like his human body, it isn't bound by the same limitations as ordinary things. )Guns're better than swords!
And I'm better than that guy'll ever be! I'll show ya!
( And while Mutsu isn't bound by the same human limitations as ordinary people, he sure isn't all powerful either. He can jump back and try to get out of the way but at the end of it all, he isn't faster than a bullet so yeah, he's definitely going to get hit unless something changes?
But man, he's going to sure as heck make sure he warns Zoro before it's too late, )
Watch out! He's got a lot more.
( Bullets. GOD THERE ARE GOING TO BE SO MANY BULLETS UNTIL MUTSU TIRES OUT AND HE'S A VERY HIGH ENERGY SPIRIT. MUTSUNOKAMI YOSHIYUKI: FOILED BY HIS OWN ENTHUSIASM. )
[Well yes that's going to be trouble, but there's no time to think. Zoro moves almost at the same instant that finger on the trigger twitches, all that energy coiled in his muscles exploding to propel him into the path of those bullets, arms shifting to bring both swords up in parallel lines to cut through the air...
One bullet cut clean through, two deflected off the swords. Yep. This is what a Zoro do. He skids to a stop to stand as a wall between Mutsu and his evil twin.]
What do you mean, a lot more? Don't these pistols have only like six shots in 'em?
[he deserves whatever he gets for running his mouth like that and making assumptions.]
( What the hell Zoro that's some cool shit? What the heck why can't Mutsu be that shounen???
But oh, man, Mutsubot is really amused, unphased by everything. )
Ya don't know?( Gun twirling around his finger and aiming right at Zoro now, )This isn't your average gun; it's a part of that guy. 'S long as he can fight, so can I.
( If anything, Mutsu's face really just confirms everything. )
I've got a lotta fight still... he's not gonna run out anytime soon. ( Annoying. Way annoying! ) Don't worry about me; I can take a few hits just fine.
( Will it hurt? Hell yeah. Will it kill him? He'll have to get shot a bunch of times but otherwise, his life is tied to his sword and his sword is in top condition. His spirit might get fatigued and tired and while that really bites, at least it'll slow down Mutsubot's supply of bullets so that's just a sacrifice he's willing to make. )
This guy thinks he's better 'cause he's got my gun?! ( He's so angry. ) Any punk can use a gun! I'll show ya what only a sword can do!
( Because, surprise, asshole, for all Mutsu's praise about guns, he's still a proud sword and he's serious about proving himself. Even though it's apparent that Zoro can defend himself just fine, Mutsu is going to go around him and charge straight ahead. )
( Likewise, Mutsubot is going to show what he can do and fire a series of shots at both Mutsu and Zoro while running to avoid being caught between the two of them. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. It really is an endless barrage of gunfire coming right at them from all directions in front of them. He definitely manages to get a few shots in on Mutsu, at the very least. )
Hahaha! C'mon, I'm waiting for ya guys to show me what ya got!
[Hm yes that's definitely going to be trouble. Zoro knows that letting Mutsu take a few hits and wear himself down is an option, strategically, but it's also the one he wouldn't want to resort to unless they absolutely had to. Better solution? Taking down this robot asshole before the endless bullets become a problem.
He moves to the opposite side as Mutsu, closing in on the 'bot in a pincer to force him to decide which target to aim for. Whatever he's got against his original, he can't afford to let someone like Zoro just attack at will. Zoro can still sense where his friend is and swings out to make sure their hits work in tandem and any bullets he deflects don't hit either of them.]
Careful what you wish for, idiot. Oi, Mutsu - you got a problem with me being here? [you know, just making sure!]
( Fighting two enemies is the opposite of what Mutsu wants to deal with and there's an angry growl as he turns his attention from Zoro to Mutsu. Tch, how annoying but Zoro isn't the one Mutsubot has beef with. It's Mutsu. A useless spirit like Mutsu doesn't deserve to have that sword. It belongs with someone like him who will actually put it to proper use so he turns his gun right at Mutsu, back turned to Zoro and aiming at Mutsu. )
Useless sword.
( If Mutsu hears, he doesn't show any sign of it, )
Don't worry about me! Just take him out before someone gets hurt!
[Oh, Mutsubot. That was exactly the wrong thing to say.
Zoro closes in surprisingly fast, but he's not the type to hit someone from behind even if they're in the perfect position for it. He jogs a step to let himself be glimpsed a split second before he swings. Shuusui comes in hard at an angle, swinging to hit the gun - or the hand holding it - and knock it aside before it can do any damage.]
There's no such thing.
[And with that he coldly brings Kitetsu up in his left hand, looking the fake-Mutsu straight in the eyes as he jabs forward to try to skewer it right in the vitals.
...of course, now is not the time to ask himself whether or not a mortal hit on a robot was the same as a human. Or whether it might be made out of a type of metal he couldn't yet cut. Um. Let's see what happens!]
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( He scowls, shooting a glance at the balcony's edge before responding, )
That punk... I couldn't get my sword back from him. ( Because he's already laid claim to Mutsunokami. ) Look, I can stand here arguin` with ya about who's who and why ya should trust me but I gotta go.
( And he's putting one leg over the balcony's edge, )
Ya gonna help or what?
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When he lands, he looks around to try to find Mutsu the rascal. )
Where'd he go...? Get out here!
( Mutsu is no where to be seen. )
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...and that's when it hits him. His head slowly turns to regard the blank, empty space next to him where one Mutsu stands, while he can feel Mutsu's spiritual aura somewhere off elsewhere. Oho.
For now, Zoro clamps down on his reaction, mostly because he wants to make sure Mutsu's all right before he turns his sword on the wrong one. He can feel presence but not whether he's been injured or anything.]
Think he's hiding or running?
[because if this thing is as alike to its original as they say, it might be able to predict what the real Mutsu would do.]
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( This gun was inherited from his most precious master, after all.
And sure enough, Zoro will be able to sense Mutsu pretty close-- on the move and out of sight. He definitely isn't moving as fast as he could but given the circumstances, it's actually because he's just trying to not be noticed. He's moving slowly but carefully and steady and if Zoro is really paying attention... he's actually moving back up towards the apartment, sneaking up the stairs and trying to get to a higher ground.
Mutsubot can also sense something. Spirits have a way of being able to feel out other spirits and it looks like Mutsubot has been able to inherit this. It's easier to sense a spirit when they have dark intent, something Mutsu definitely doesn't have, but there's definitely a vague presence of another spirit around them. Where? He can't quite pinpoint but Mutsubot knows. )
Ya heard that? I know ya're out there! I know all ya'r tricks even better than you so don't even try to get one on me.
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Should probably check out all the buildings along here. He probably can't just break into any old apartment but the hallways are open. Stores. Lobbies. Y'know.
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( And he raises his gun, pointing it up at the balconies, the windows, and-- one shot rings out in the air. A warning. )
What're ya gonna do?! No way ya can fight me from where ya are.
( Mutsubot's range is much greater and just as deadly if not more, depending on how you want to compare guns and swords.
Meanwhile, Zoro might notice a curious change. There are now two presences, both of which are Mutsu. One is much more concentrated, active and moving still, circling around the apartment balconies to come around Mutsubot. The second presence is stationary and fainter but definitely Mutsu. The weaker presence is is definitely somewhere on the second floor balcony and the first one is now making it's way up, sneaking onto the third and then fourth floors, positioning itself across from them. There, it stops. Mutsu is waiting for the right opportunity now. )
See anything, Zoro-san?
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He follows Mutsubot's gunshot, squinting into the light.]
Nah, not from here. He's smart, not showing himself.
[seeing is only half the battle. Zoro chances it, glancing over his shoulder toward the mobile aura, trying to make it look like he's idly scanning the buildings on both sides of them and not call direct attention to Mutsu]
My depth perception's not what it used to be, you know. I don't see anything.
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Mutsubot aims a shot at the sound of the glass and at the falling piece of fabric. Of course, he doesn't hit anyone and before he can realize--
If Zoro is following Mutsu's presence, he'll be able to catch Mutsu jumping from the balcony again, sword drawn and coming right at Mutsubot. Mutsubot turns around just in time to catch Mutsu's sword with his gun and Mutsu jumps back, landing between the bot and Zoro. )
And pretty smart now showin` ya all of my tricks too! ( Because that sure was a trick he just did. ) Bet ya couldn't do that, could ya?!
( Whatever "that" is. His sword is drawn in a defensive stance at Mutsubot, his back turned to Zoro but he'll chance a quick glance. )
It's me.
( Mutsubot isn't convinced. )
Really? C'mon.
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Yeah, I can tell.
[he moves up alongside Mutsu, his stance more open and ready to attack]
You okay?
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Just fine. ( Which sounds like he's the opposite of fine. He's mad. He's angry. He's so incredibly offended right now which probably explains why he's overcompensating as he continues, ) I'm fine! Everything's fine!
Yeah? ( Eyes shifting towards Zoro, gun still aimed on Mutsu, ) Ya're really gonna pick this guy over me?
I thought ya were a better swordsman than that... pickin` a useless guy like him over me, tch.
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[yes that was some kind of veiled crack at the gun. Not that he cares if Mutsu likes it but in this kind of fight? He will make sure his blades are between any bullet and Mutsu, don't even second-guess that.
And as they face off, he starts to grin recklessly. That's right, he's not really mentioned his haki to anyone, they don't know what he can do. Best to keep that mostly on the downlow at a time like this...]
Besides. There's nothing living in you. Trust me, I can tell. Pull that trigger and you're gonna regret it.
[He still won't leap into this duel unless invited, but man, he is itching to take down the punk who tried to fool him and get him on its side. Damn robots.]
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Gahaha! Get with the times. Don't ya know? ( And he pulls the trigger, one, two, three times-- this thing won't really run out of bullets since it isn't limited by physical means. It's a part of Mutsu's actual spirit and just like his human body, it isn't bound by the same limitations as ordinary things. ) Guns're better than swords!
And I'm better than that guy'll ever be! I'll show ya!
But man, he's going to sure as heck make sure he warns Zoro before it's too late, )
Watch out! He's got a lot more.
( Bullets. GOD THERE ARE GOING TO BE SO MANY BULLETS UNTIL MUTSU TIRES OUT AND HE'S A VERY HIGH ENERGY SPIRIT. MUTSUNOKAMI YOSHIYUKI: FOILED BY HIS OWN ENTHUSIASM. )
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One bullet cut clean through, two deflected off the swords. Yep. This is what a Zoro do. He skids to a stop to stand as a wall between Mutsu and his evil twin.]
What do you mean, a lot more? Don't these pistols have only like six shots in 'em?
[he deserves whatever he gets for running his mouth like that and making assumptions.]
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But oh, man, Mutsubot is really amused, unphased by everything. )
Ya don't know? ( Gun twirling around his finger and aiming right at Zoro now, ) This isn't your average gun; it's a part of that guy. 'S long as he can fight, so can I.
I've got a lotta fight still... he's not gonna run out anytime soon. ( Annoying. Way annoying! ) Don't worry about me; I can take a few hits just fine.
( Will it hurt? Hell yeah. Will it kill him? He'll have to get shot a bunch of times but otherwise, his life is tied to his sword and his sword is in top condition. His spirit might get fatigued and tired and while that really bites, at least it'll slow down Mutsubot's supply of bullets so that's just a sacrifice he's willing to make. )
This guy thinks he's better 'cause he's got my gun?! ( He's so angry. ) Any punk can use a gun! I'll show ya what only a sword can do!
( Because, surprise, asshole, for all Mutsu's praise about guns, he's still a proud sword and he's serious about proving himself. Even though it's apparent that Zoro can defend himself just fine, Mutsu is going to go around him and charge straight ahead. )
Hahaha! C'mon, I'm waiting for ya guys to show me what ya got!
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He moves to the opposite side as Mutsu, closing in on the 'bot in a pincer to force him to decide which target to aim for. Whatever he's got against his original, he can't afford to let someone like Zoro just attack at will. Zoro can still sense where his friend is and swings out to make sure their hits work in tandem and any bullets he deflects don't hit either of them.]
Careful what you wish for, idiot. Oi, Mutsu - you got a problem with me being here? [you know, just making sure!]
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Useless sword.
( If Mutsu hears, he doesn't show any sign of it, )
Don't worry about me! Just take him out before someone gets hurt!
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Zoro closes in surprisingly fast, but he's not the type to hit someone from behind even if they're in the perfect position for it. He jogs a step to let himself be glimpsed a split second before he swings. Shuusui comes in hard at an angle, swinging to hit the gun - or the hand holding it - and knock it aside before it can do any damage.]
There's no such thing.
[And with that he coldly brings Kitetsu up in his left hand, looking the fake-Mutsu straight in the eyes as he jabs forward to try to skewer it right in the vitals.
...of course, now is not the time to ask himself whether or not a mortal hit on a robot was the same as a human. Or whether it might be made out of a type of metal he couldn't yet cut. Um. Let's see what happens!]