Chapter Text
The sun had just peaked over the treetops as he saw Senku wave him over. Chrome and Kohaku too.
Unfortunately for Ukyo it seemed the range of the tug had only increased, making life a lot harder for him around the camp.
“We're going to need oil for the ship so who's better to find the stuff than the expedition team?” Senku chuckled. Next to him was all the stuff they needed, a portable communicator (which was really a primitive telephone with backpack straps) and a bag with first aid, food and sleeping bags, everything they would need. All neatly laid out for them.
“That's bad! You know me Senku, we'll find this oil stuff!” Chrome cheered.
Ukyo, Kohaku and Chrome, the expedition team. Who knew how long they would be away? Time apart from him honestly sounded pretty nice to Ukyo, he could finally breathe easy once he was out of here, away from this god forsaken bond.
The three set off, out into the forest in search of oil, determined.
They stuck to a sort of clear path through the trees and foliage as they headed off to where Senku said to look. The further they walked from the camp, the less the tug pulled. Relief shot through Ukyo and he sighed, content with the temporary freedom.
“What even is this oil stuff?” Chrome queried. Chrome and Kohaku weren't from the modern age so they had no idea what half the stuff they were doing actually did.
Ukyo laughed light heartedly, “We used it a lot back in our time to help power all sorts of things.” He wasn't sure what the best way to explain it would be without confusing the pair even more with things they had never heard of.
“Is that why Ryuusui is so desperate to claim the oil for himself? What's his deal with that ‘Drago’ stuff?” Chrome wondered.
He froze at the mention of Ryuusui, only for a few brief seconds, not enough for Kohaku or Chrome to notice. He shrugged it off.
“You know how he is, the greediest man in the world. If he has oil he can sell it to us for money which makes him even richer than he already is.” He chuckled.
Woke up a few days ago and already brought back the economy and oil trade, well almost. That depends on if they even find the oil.
The sun had reached its peak and the trio settled down on a handful of fallen logs, eating some of the freeze dried ramen they had brought with them. It's insane how even in this stone world, they had access to cup noodles of all things. He found himself laughing internally a little, it's absurd to think about.
The duck millet noodles were nowhere near as nice as he was used to but he didn't mind.
Chrome and Kohaku quickly downed their fill before preparing to set off again, licking their lips.
“We should probably keep moving and find a spot to settle for sundown.” Kohaku decided. She scanned the surroundings with her sharp eyes, her vision was beyond standard and Ukyo was impressed.
Seemingly happy with no immediate threats she started walking, leading the way, leaving Chrome and Ukyo to follow suit.
The sky was starting to bleed orange and other tones indicating that sunset was approaching. The three set down their sleeping mats and took shifts sleeping and watching out for danger.
-
Morning came and the day passed, walking further in search of oil. Ukyo didn't mind, it was nice. With less people around his head felt clear from the lack of noises.
A few more days had passed as the expedition team neared the location.
He heard a distant thrumming. His eyes widened.
That wasn't right.
That couldn't be right.
No.
His hearing didn't lie.
“What's wrong, Ukyo?” Kohaku asked, oblivious. He shook his head.
“Thats not right, I hear rushing water up ahead. I'm no geographic expert but 3700 years ago there weren't any waterfalls in this area.”
Chrome eyed him, seeming to understand what he was putting down. If there truly was a waterfall, massive it sounded, the chances of them finding oil there would be none.
The blonde haired lioness shot up a tree, using her sharp gaze to find where Ukyo meant.
“I think I see what you mean.” she called down.
The three charged towards the sound of rushing water only halting to a stop once they finally saw it.
A massive waterfall, stretching at least three football pitches lay there in front of him with what looked to be a 50 meter drop. His breath hitched at the view and his eyes widened in shock.
“I guess we really underestimated how long 3700 years really is.” he smiled. It was magnificent what he saw. Breathtaking.
“Any real scientist would laugh at me for this.” he heard Senku chuckle through the primitive receiver.
“Mount Fuji erupted at least 4-5 times whilst we were away. Maybe even more. Modern maps are useless in this world. The landscape has changed too much.” he heard the scientist explain. The three were instructed to head back to the village, it was closer to where they were than the camp. They could rest up and set off for the camp once they replenished their supplies.
-
A few days had passed at Ishigami Village, a phone call was passed from the camp earlier and Chrome had swiftly sped off into the forest mumbling stuff under his breath about.. the sky?
Ukyo and Kohaku had been milling about after their expedition, not one to question Chrome as he was known to be rather impulsive sometimes.
The sun passed the midday point in the sky before something loomed in the distance.
He couldn't believe it.
His eyes widened as he saw what flew towards them.
“Look at that!” Kohaku called out, pointing towards it.
“No way!” Ukyo laughed as a smile tugged his lips.
Senku had made the stone world's first hot air balloon, embellished with the Kingdom of Science’s logo.
He could just make out three figures in the basket, Senku, Ryuusui and Chrome, all waving at the ground. So that's what the scientist had darted off too just hours prior.
Ukyo felt the tug slowly start to return, he'd forgotten what it felt like in its absence but he didn't really mind, he was too caught up with the fact the Kingdom had managed to conquer the skies.
The balloon finally landed and the people of the village cheered. Jasper and Turquoise had rushed to help assist Senku and the others off.
Ukyo was amazed, he couldn't quite wrap his head around how they'd achieved so much in just a week he'd been away.
“Ha ha! The skies are mine!” he heard Ryuusui call out as he snapped his fingers. He saw Ukyo and turned to face him.
“Hey Ukyo!” he flashed a toothy smile.
“How was your flight?” Ukyo asked politely, trying to ignore the persistent tug. Ryuusui's eyes shone as he reminisced about the flight, that was enough for Ukyo and he laughed.
His expression quickly changed as he remembered where he was currently, “back at the camp Senku opened a department store, kinda wish you were there to see it.” Ryuusui put his hand on his neck.
Department store?
How much had he missed in the past few days?
“I brought you and the rest of the expedition team some stuff as a thank you for all your doing with the oil.” He grinned as he passed Ukyo, Kohaku and Chrome each a paper bag that read in bold black letters ‘YUZURIHA COUTURE’.
“Thank you,” Ukyo smiled gratefully. Ryuusui nodded, still smiling with a dusting of red to his cheeks.
“You should go try it on! Tell me what you think,” Ryuusui continued. Kohaku nodded eagerly and rushed to a nearby hut, Ukyo found himself waving Ryuusui off as he followed suit.
Oh wow.
Formal wear.
Never did Ukyo think he'd be wearing a suit and tie in the stone world.
It was a fairly standard suit though it had shimmery yellow flowers embroidered around the cuffs of his sleeves.
He slowly walked out to where he left Ryuusui.
“It's so strange seeing clothes like this in the stone world,” he pondered.
“I know! Yuzuriha used the material that wasn't fit enough for the balloon to make clothes,” Ryuusui grinned, happy that Ukyo seemed to like his gift.
Kohaku wandered out next and looked thrilled.
“So comfy!” she exclaimed. Ryuusui had given her a dress that closely resembled her usual one, although the material was definitely softer than the pelts she must've been used to so her reaction made sense. It had small, navy flowers stitched along the bottom of the skirt, adding formality to the look. Ryuusui beamed, seeming glad to make her happy.
Finally Chrome emerged, wearing a similar suit to the one Ukyo had, although it lacked the embroidered flowers.
“This feels fancy,” he smiled at Ryuusui with gratitude.
“Only the best for the people who are giving me the oil,” Ryuusui beamed. “You all look great!” he winked at Ukyo.
Was that directed at him?
He felt his cheeks go warm.
No way, right?
He cleared his throat, “as much as I love this suit, I'm going to try to keep it in fair condition so next time there's some grand event I can wear it.” Ukyo said. Ryuusui nodded in agreement.
-
The search for oil continued, lasting several days and the food situation had received a massive upgrade when Ryuusui demanded his butler François should be revived.
François was around Ukyo's height, they had neat blonde curly hair and had a sense of professionalism around them, they clearly knew what they were doing. The first thing they did after being revived was make some fresh stollen and man did that taste good.
Senku had Kaseki come back to the village so they could work on cameras and take aerial pictures to see if they could find oil from the sky. Minami had insisted on taking the first photo in the stone world, true to her roots as a reporter.
Eventually the search was concluded after Senku and the others had a wild boar lead them to the remains of the Sagara oil fields.
“Just like how they were found the first time, a wild boar,” Senku chuckled.
To test the quality of the oil, Senku made a smaller boat, one that could fit 4-5 people.
“We can finally go out to sea!” exclaimed Chrome.
“We're doing this to test the quality of the oil,” Senku grinned.
“That's bad!”
“Hey Senku, you made more of that love potion?” Taiju and Ryuusui walked up to the boat.
“Love potion? What could our dear Senku eally-ray be needing that for~?” Gen asked, surprised.
“He made it 3700 years ago, remember? To make me more confident when talking to Yuzuriha,” Taiju laughed. Senku paused, processing what he said.
“Oh, you still really believe that lie?” Senku had doubled over laughing. Taiju looked dumbfounded, still grasping at what Senku meant.
“That was gasoline I made out of discarded bottle caps,” Senku wiped a tear from his eye, still laughing. Regaining composure, he continued “Which means because you identified they smell the same, we got some grade-A gasoline on our hands.”
“I didn't need your love potion anyways Senku, I knew in my heart me and Yuzuriha were made for each other, soulmates!”
That last word made Ukyo freeze.
“Cmon Taiju, soulmates are just a concept, and besides you and Yuzuriha aren't even together” Senku waved him off.
“What makes you so sure you’re soulmates?” Ukyo asked cautiously, eyeing Gen who clearly was as intrigued as him.
“This pull, you know? We're just meant to be. Do you have a special someone, Ukyo?” Taiju grinned, and before Ukyo could answer Taiju continued “anyways I've gotta go help other people with grunt work, have fun on your boat!” He bounded away through the forest.
He made a mental note to talk to Taiju later.
“Ha ha! Let's set sail, the sea will be mine for the taking!” Ryuusui declared.
“Chrome?” Ruri’s voice crackled through the receiver. Being on a small boat with Ryuusui proved difficult for Ukyo, there was nowhere for him to go and being at such a close proximity only made the pull more persistent.
“Everyones telling me I should-” Ruri’s voice distorted beyond comprehension, a stronger signal interrupting.
“Come on, what a cliché! Static when we're getting to the good part?” Gen laughed.
It sounded like interference.
“That's not static. Just now, we got a strong signal from somewhere but it's too saturated to tell the direction.” Ukyo's eyes were blown wide.
Was it possible other people had revived and were trying to communicate?
“Plasma from space?” Ryuusui offered.
“No, it's too deliberate to be a natural phenomenon.” Ukyo responded gravely. “It's tuned to exactly the same frequency we're on.”. There was a beat of silence that loomed over them, what this meant settling in.
The signal continued, flickering in intensity in an uneven pattern.
“Wait a second, that's morse code,” Gen started, his eyes were wide too, everyone must've been thinking the same thing; Where did this signal come from?
“It's a message meant for us.” Senku responded darkly.
“It seems to be repeating a message, let's see… there's a ‘W’ then there's a ‘H’ and a-” Gen broke off into a gasp.
“It's ‘W’ ‘H’ and ‘Y’.” there was a beat.
“It just says… ‘why’.”
Uneasiness filled Ukyo, whoever sent this signal was behind humanity’s petrification.
He could feel it.
This couldn't be good.
-
“Taiju, hey!” he ran up to Taiju who had just finished hauling more wood.
“Ukyo!” Taiju beamed, he knew most people in the Kingdom and most people knew him, he didn't think it was possible for anyone to hate the guy, he had a way with people that just made him instantly likeable.
He glanced around, “I've been meaning to ask you something, but it's probably not the best place to talk since anyone can walk in on it,” Ukyo explained. Taiju nodded, seemingly understanding that Ukyo wanted a serious talk.
“So you have a soulmate bond too!?” Ukyo swears Taiju shouts loud enough for the entirety of Japan to hear. His finger rushes to his mouth, symbolizing Taiju to keep it down.
“A bit louder, I don't think they heard you,” he quipped sarcastically. The wildlife around them had dropped quiet, showing how impactful Taiju’s booming voice was.
He sighs and drops his head to his hands.
“Yes, I have a soulmate bond, but I'd prefer if everyone didn't know.” he shakes his head and gives a breathy laugh, this was Taiju he remembers.
Taiju across from him nods fiercely before adding to the conversation “Well you can ask me anything about it, I should have some answers,” he grins.
“How do I get it to… you know, go away?”
“When you finally confess to them! You get into a relationship and the feeling should go away.”
He takes this into consideration, confessing to Ryuusui? He shook his head. He wasn't ready to ruin the new friendship he had so far.
“Wait but you haven't confessed to Yuzuriha as far as I'm aware.”
“Well I started one and I think both parties understood what was going on and well it went away! Although I was petrified…” the boy broke off, deep in thought.
“Maybe the petrification affected it?” Taiju had a deep look of confusion mixed with wonder.
Petrification?
It was known for its restorative healing abilities but why would it ‘heal’ the soulmate bond?
He found himself with more questions than answers, but decided to try to keep going.
“How do you know Yuzuriha didn't feel the bond? Why's it just one sided?”
“Yeah you see this is why Senku does most of the thinking, he could probably whip up 15 different theories for that.” Taiju laughed. He did make a fair point, Senku probably would have some ideas to share but it would be pointless since ‘soulmates are just a concept’ to him.
“What if I don't confess…? I just wait.”
“From experience the pull just gets stronger.”
He let out a long sigh, he had 2 options.
1. He confesses to Ryuusui who doesn't feel the bond and probably thinks Ukyo is insane and only sees Ukyo as a friend
2. He puts it off and waits as the bond slowly becomes stronger and slowly drives Ukyo mad.
“So who do you have a bond to?” Taiju asks expectedly. This caught him off guard until he remembered he hadn't quite shared that detail.
“Oh it's just Ryuusui.” he tried to laugh it off casually but it came off strained. Taiju blinks as a large grin takes over his face.
“You're perfect for each other! Ohh I can see why your soulmates, you both do sea related stuff, sonar, sailing! Haha it's perfect!” Taiju was grinning like a madman, seeming more excited for Ukyo's love life than his own.
“I guess, in a way.” Ukyo smiles, his cheeks growing warm at the thought he and the sailor where 'perfect' for each other.
He didn't have any more questions to ask Taiju so he waved him off as he went to go help with Perseus before Senku or someone else found him, “if your not doing anything, you could be doing work” is what they'd usually say, especially to a certain someone called Gen who'd always try avoid work. He found himself smiling at the thought.
-
Winter soon rolled in, and luckily the ship was mostly finished by then. It meant a nice long break for the Kingdom of Science before they finally set off to travel the world. Although break might be an understatement, Senku had relieved everyone from ship duties but it just meant the free hands were put to use for other, smaller projects.
Minami had insisted on taking pictures to help document the Kingdom's growth but Ukyo also knew it was to commemorate the happy times before the Kingdom split in half. The past 5 months had really changed the stuff around them, Senku had built a road to the caves for easier mineral transport. So much had changed, it was slowly becoming a modern civilization. Bit by bit.
-
The Perseus was ready for her maiden voyage across the world. Ryuusui had a list with the people he wanted aboard the ship and it was no surprise Ukyo was on there, the sonar man.
He called out names, not everyone Ukyo recognised but there were the five generals, power team, Kaseki and loads more.
Minami had taken a group photo with everyone in it before the ship set sail, this was where they would part ways. Who knew how long it would be before they all saw each other again?
Ukyo shook the thought out his mind, it's no point dwelling on the negatives when there's so much more to think about.
A pressing matter on Ukyo's mind had been the persistence of the bond as of late. He couldn't be within 2 meters of Ryuusui without being dragged on his feet against his will to go wherever the captain went. He found himself avoiding Ryuusui more often than not but being on a ship would only prove this more difficult.
He sighed.
“Ha ha! The Kingdom of Science is ready to travel the world! We will conquer the ocean, all of it!” Ryuusui called out to all the crew within earshot. Ukyo found himself in the communications room, below the captain's wheel. This was going to be a long trip.
He swears his face must've betrayed what he was thinking when Senku revealed the sleeping accommodations and when it showed Ryuusui and Ukyo sharing a room with Gen and Senku, he knows his face is just filled with dread. He quickly tried to shake it off, remaining composure.
Gen was in the same boat as him, surely he could help?
He glanced at Gen who was shoulder to shoulder with Senku, looking at the scroll of paper with equally the same amount of dread as Ukyo. Gen looked up and caught Ukyo's eye and gave him a subtle nod before gesturing to the deck.
Talk in private, come.
“How rotten is our luck, eriously-say!” Gen laughed though his voice was strained. Weariness cracked the mentalists eyes, normally he was good at holding a façade but it seemed his bond was also taking a toll on him.
“No matter what we do, this entire trip we’re pretty much confined to a boat.” Ukyo responded lightly.
Gen took this into consideration, “it is a big boat, Ukyo dear. You can still have some distance then.”
He sighed, Gen was right.
“Whatever will us opeless-hay romantics do~?” Gen let out an exasperated sigh, returning to his usual dramatic self.
“Whatever will we do indeed,” Ukyo let out a small laugh.
Footsteps were approaching, it sounded like Senku’s, even and calculated. He tried to catch Gen's eye but it was too late.
“Whatever will you do about what?” a voice came from the left of him.
“Revival fluid of course!” Gen had switched instantly, of course, he must've known Senku was coming. He was bonded after all. The magician turned to face the scientist and started waving his hands in the air, preparing for a performance.
“We don't have any left and if we find people out there we cant revive it will be such a ity-pay~” his voice had that tease of playfulness returning.
“That won't be much of a problem once we get that treasure box Byakuya left us!” Senku's eyes gleamed. Gen nodded “Yes yes, I remember dear Senku. The Soyuz spaceship,”
Senku nodded and the pair broke off into conversation, which was mainly Gen listening to Senku ramble about science as far as Ukyo could hear, but nonetheless they seemed happy.
-
They had arrived at the so-called treasure island, charging through the storm so they could arrive unnoticed. They were after the Soyuz space capsule where the treasure of platinum awaits.
It turns out one of the village's guards ‘no-name’ as he called himself was a native from here. He revealed his true name to be Soyuz and Senku put it together that there were locals on the island. Whether they were friendly or not is still to be decided.
Senku, Gen, Kohaku and Soyuz had split off from the Perseus, onto the mainland in search of a local who could help guide them to the treasure box. Ukyo found himself staying on the ship, helping clean up after the sudden storm.
“Look, up there!” Chrome called out pointing to small figures up on the cliff overlooking the Perseus. His eyes widened. Even though he couldn't make out their exact conversation, by their tone, they didn't sound friendly. This wasn't going to end well.
“Who are you?” Ryuusui demanded, “can you take us to the treasure box?”
The strangers exchanged glances before tossing something high up into the sky. It was attached to a long rope. What was that attached to the end? A weapon? If it was a weapon, it's long range. That's the only reason they'd throw it away from them.
“What is that thing?” Ukyo's voice was laced with panic.
A low, warped, humming sound emitted off the device. It was the same as 3700 years ago. This was the petrification device Senku was looking for, and he was about to see it in action.
His eyes widened with horror.
He instinctively pulled out an arrow, loaded his bow and aimed for the device. If he could hit it, it would change its trajectory, then maybe not everyone would be petrified. That was a big if, Ukyo was good with a bow but could he pull it off?
He wasn't sure how large the range would be but there's no way they'd use the petrification weapon if it petrified them as well.
It was too late for Ukyo to try to avoid the impending fate of petrification, he just hoped he could save someone else.
He released the arrow and watched it pierce through the sky as green light exploded from the device.
Clink.
He hit it.
Shock and relief rushed through him, he was about to be petrified but maybe he saved someone else. The thought helped him accept what was about to happen.
The vibrant green light drew closer until he was petrified. He couldn't move his body, he couldn't hear or see anything. It was just him and his thoughts. Just like 3700 years ago, except this time he knew Senku and his friends would use the power of science to revive him. He doesn't know how long it will take them but he'll wait, Senku won't leave the Perseus crew to die.