[Current Balance: £2,300,604 0s. 3d.](73,619,328R)
---
[+ £8 12s. 1d.]
[Current Balance: £2,300,612 12s. 4d.](73,619,604R)
'For fifty people... they're all fucking poor,' Alaric thought as he walked towards edge of the Kenway Estate while ordering the shadow clones to dispose of the bodies to the mountains.
'The property's line should be... here.'
He stopped then opened the System Interface.
[Buy][Sell]
'Anything that revolves around making wooden fence and gates...'
[Wood Style: Wood Locking Wall - Uses chakra to activate the roots in the ground and, using the user of the technique as a reference point, makes wooden pillars appear from left and right. - £93 15s. 12d.]
[...](This means that there's more but will not be mentioned.)
'Hmm...' Alaric analyzed the list but eventually closed the System Interface. 'Let's try doing this on my own first.'
The youngest Kenway closed his eyes and visualized a huge wall with sharp edges on top.
'I hope this works,' He opened his eyes as he formed multiple hand signs and slammed his hand to the ground.
"..."
It took a few seconds but Alaric widened his eyes as a HUGE wall spanning over twenty meters in height and fifty meters in length rose up from the ground.
"D-Damn! Not that tall!" He couldn't help but exclaim as he performed a single hand sign, 'The length's fine, but that height... that's too much!'
The wall slowly descended until it became six meters. 'That's good enough.'
Alaric continued doing this for another ten minutes. Dashing around the Kenway Estate while performing this jutsu.
'I hope that didn't alarm anyone...' He thought as he stopped at the main way for the Estate.
Again, he visualized. However, this time... it was of a gate.
Performing another set of hand signs, he slammed his hand on the ground as a large gate rose from the ground. 'Shockingly... it has iron hinges to hold the gates...'
He then sprinted towards the middle of the Kenway Estate and activated his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, making his blood red eyes shine in the middle of the night.
'Vulcan!' He mentally casted as he created a large chunk of iron on the air and compressed it to produce a heavier and a very durable barbed wire.
Manipulating them, he levitated all of them, placing them on top of all the wooden walls throughout the edges of the Estate, sinking all the metals to the walls so that they will never come off.
'If they ever rust and someone tries to ladder their way up, good luck with tetanus.'
---Inside Alaric's Office---
Thulani, Reuben, and Alaric sat across from each other in Alaric's office, drinking tea.
"So..." Alaric started as he glanced at the two of them. "How was your first time killing? And the battlefield?"
"..."
"..."
They took their time sipping tea before Reuben finally replied.
"It was... disorienting." He looked at the fire burning in the fireplace. "But something was burning inside me during that time… to kill more. Is that normal?"
"Yes..." Alaric nodded. "That was your adrenaline speaking. It's scary, huh? How easy it is to kill."
"Very easy..." Thulani replied this time. "A swipe of my sword cut off three heads at the same time. I couldn't believe how strong I got."
"Yeah… it was also easy for me to react," Reuben added, looking at Alaric. "For fourteen years, I only sparred with Thulani... we could read each other's attacks and he could always make me use everything I got. But when I fought them, there was this sense of… boredom. Yet, I also felt relief that I could defeat them."
Alaric took his time responding as he drank from his cup.
"What you're feeling is normal. I've felt it too."
"But here's what I'll tell you…" Alaric leaned forward slightly. "Don't get drunk on the feeling of killing."
"Drunk?" Thulani raised an eyebrow. "Why would I ever get drunk on something like that?"
"Heh… you won't notice it until it's too late," Alaric smiled calmly, folding his legs. "But don't worry. I'm here to guide you, remember?"
"I can just bonk your heads if that happens."
"...Bonk? What's that?"
"..."
"..."
Reuben cleared his throat. "That aside… the money."
"Of course. I never forget when it comes to rewards," Alaric smirked, standing up and walking to his desk.
He grabbed two pouches from a drawer, withdrew money from his System Balance, and placed an even amount in each pouch.
[- £40]
[Current Balance: £2,300,572 12s. 4d.](73,618,324R)
Walking back, he handed each of them a pouch.
"This one's for you… and this, for you," Alaric said, smiling. "£20 each. Count if you want."
"Damn!" Reuben's eyes widened as he felt the weight of the pouch. "£20!? You have the kind of fortune to just give this amount away?"
Thulani, although shocked, didn't say a word. 'Am I even allowed to roam the city to buy anything?'
Alaric noticed his hesitation and glanced at him.
"Don't worry, I'll get the papers so you can walk around freely."
"Hmm?" Thulani looked up, then shook his head. "N-No, I don't mind."
"But I do," Alaric smiled. "I'm sorry that this world has normalized enslaving your kind. I'll do whatever I can to change that."
'Alright… I need to go back to Penn to sort this out.'
---
"No... just place them here..."
"Yes, that's enough..."
"Don't take too long!..."
The new dock in Bristol was busy with activity as sailors moved about, preparing for the ship to set sail. Large crates of supplies were being loaded onto the "Emperor," and ropes were being pulled tight to secure the cargo. The sound of hammers and voices filled the air as the crew went about their work.
Edward Kenway stood near the edge of the dock, watching the commotion. He was still adjusting to the life of a privateer, having recently joined the crew. His gaze moved to the captain, who was shouting orders to various men on deck.
"Kenway!" the captain called, spotting him standing off to the side. "Get over here, now!"
Edward walked quickly toward the captain, who was supervising the crew as they loaded the last of the barrels.
"Take that crate of provisions and help load it into the hold," the captain ordered, pointing to a large wooden crate nearby. "We're almost ready to set sail, and we can't afford to be slow."
Edward nodded and walked over to the crate.
When he bent down to grab the crate, his grip tightened against the rough wood, the weight causing his muscles to strain slightly. He let out a quiet grunt as he and the others lifted it, moving carefully to avoid tripping over scattered ropes.
As he stepped back onto the main deck, Edward rubbed his hands together to shake off the soreness, only to freeze mid-motion. His eyes locked onto a familiar figure standing casually near the railing.
"Yo..."
"'Laric..." Edward's face painted mixed emotions but kept a straight face. "If you're here to tell me sto-"
"Nope," Alaric said, cutting off whatever Edward was going to say. "Come, I borrowed a few minutes of your time from the captain."
"...Sure," Edward replied, taking a glance at the captain who was busy with other things.
Edward followed Alaric a few meters away from the busy port as the younger but taller Kenway stopped and turned towards Edward.
"I'm going to be honest with you," Alaric started while staring at Edward's eyes. "I've been giving Caroline some coin because you spent your time chugging booze rather than finding a job..."
Hearing this, Edward's eyes widened in surprise. "Ah! So that's what it was! I thought..."
"Hmm? Why did you stop?" Alaric asked as he raised a brow, "You thought what?"
"I thought... she wasn't being faithful with me," Edward's breath hitched slightly. He looked away, rubbing the back of his neck as he processed what Alaric had just said.
His fingers clenched into a loose fist, shame creeping into his expression. "I knew she was keeping lots of shillings... even pounds... I never used 'em, I thought that money belonged to another man."
Alaric threw his head back slightly as he let out a hearty laugh. His shoulders shook, and he wiped at his eyes before shaking his head at Edward's embarrassed look.
"Come on, lad!" Alaric stopped laughing as he could see Edward's embarrassment, "Anyways... don't find another woman, Edward. Caroline's been very faithful and only thought of you."
"..."
"And here," Alaric grabbed a vial from his pocket and handed it to Edward, "Use this if you ever get wounded in battle, but be careful. If anyone from the ship knows of this... even men you trust will stab your back to acquire this."
[Hyuga Clan Secret Ointment -1s. 3d.]
[Current Balance: £2,300,572 11s. 1d.](73,618,322R)
"This..." Edward's eyes widened once again as he saw the vial on his hands, "Ain't this the Celesti--"
"Yes, shut up..."
"Ah..." Edward looked around after Alaric's confirmation and sighed in relief as there were no one near them. "I... thanks..."
"Do me a favor will ya?" Alaric's hand landed on Edward's shoulder with a firm squeeze, his gaze serious despite the slight smirk tugging at his lips. "Hone your skills as much as you can... I know you've got the sense. Eagle Vision, as I call it. Maximize its potential, and survive."
Hearing Alaric's advice, Edward exhaled through his nose, rolling his shoulders slightly. His brows furrowed as he nodded, tucking the vial safely away. 'I don't know how he knows of my ability, but I guess it just comes with the family... Eagle Vision, aye?'
"And also... come back with lots of money," Alaric continued with a smile, "The Kenway family will take care of Caroline. I know you'll get busy but the moment you get to Havana, send her some letter. Give her updates, so that she won't die from worrying."
"..."
"Edward, let's go!"
Edward turned while Alaric looked over his shoulder, seeing the captain watching them impatiently. Edward let out a quiet sigh, adjusting his belt as he prepared to leave.
"..."
"Here... some coin for good luck."
[- £1]
[Current Balance: £2,300,571 11s. 1d.](73,618,290R)
Alaric flipped a single pound between his fingers before flicking it towards Edward. The coin spun in the air before Edward instinctively caught it with a single hand.
"See ya... cousin." The youngest Kenway smiled as he slapped Edward's shoulder.
"Yeah... see you... cousin," Edward scoffed chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief. He rolled the coin between his fingers before tucking it into his pocket, glancing at Alaric one last time before stepping away.
---
The "Emperor" was finally ready to leave the dock.
The sound of the ship creaking and the activity on the deck signaled that it was time. Sailors ran to and fro, shouting as they worked to get the ship ready for the open sea.
The captain stood on the quarterdeck, his voice loud and clear as he barked orders.
"Hoist the sails! Get those lines cut, we're leaving now!" He turned to a nearby sailor. "Make sure the anchor's hauled up quickly!"
Edward, standing at the top of the mainmast, was busy untying the sails.
The ropes were thick in his hands as he loosened them from their knots, ready to let the wind catch the canvas and push the ship forward.
He worked with quickly, his eyes darting between the ship's movements and the steady hands that held the ropes below.
His boots shifted carefully along the wooden cross-tree, a sturdy horizontal beam that connected the mast to the ship, giving him a clear view of the entire deck.
As he prepared the sails, Edward's eyes were drawn to the docks, where he noticed a man that was wearing a white ruffled long-sleeved polo, his blonde hair strikingly similar to Edward's own.
The man stood still with crossed arms, watching Edward.
Edward felt a brief pause in his work, and smiled slightly, then turned his gaze back toward the horizon, where the sea stretched out before them, endless and welcoming.
The wind began to pick up, tugging at the sails as they unfurled.
'Goodbye for now... Bristol...'
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