The whole thing kind of reminds me of something Axe-Hand Morgan would build. 'Hmm. I wonder what happened to that guy. Didn't he escape custody afterLuffy and Zoro knocked him on his ass?'
Well. No matter. My stare slowly drifted down to the small bustling city that had grown around the circular base of the imposing stone edifice. Apparently just 20 years ago it was a small sleepy village like any other. The Fleet Admirals influence has really transformed the place.
Ding!
New Quest Alert!
Quest: Head towards the Mirifield market and investigate the Officer Acade"Nope!" I say aloud to the air. Popping the 'p' for emphasis as I mentally hit [DECLINE]. "I'm good right here on the boat thank you very much."
"Jack? Is that you?"
I peered down to the dockside and caught a glimpse of a familiar face I certainly wasn't expecting to see again soon.
Dan, Merchant Boat Captain, Lv.6
"Holy crap, Dan? Well if it isn't a small world after all." I reply with a smile, hopping down off of The Marjhan. "What are you doing here guy?"
My fellow Kivuruk-ian meets my handshake halfway. "I'm moored just a little down the way." he answers, gesturing with a head tilt. "Any island with a Marine base this large goes through more supplies in a few days than most villages would need in six months. This has always been one of my reliable spots to sell. What are you doing here? That bounty hunter nonsense not work out? You know you left me in a right pickle when you just walked off that day."
"Well...uh.."I started, scratching my neck a bit bashfully. "Thing is, it actually worked a bit too well. I got hired to help protect this ship here for a few months after I turned in a pirate worth 8.2 mil. Life's been going pretty great for me to be honest."
Dan's eyes nearly exploded out of his head. "E-eight million! That's! That's incredible Jack! All the cargo in my hold isn't worth half that much. Even at full retail!"
The merchant captain took a moment to really look at me. "You certainly look stronger too. Hmm..." The man reached out and clapped me on the shoulder. "I've decided then. I'll forgive you walking out on me if you come back and visit sometime to tell us all about your adventures. Lots of folks will want to see ya again. I know Ms. Rika was mighty disappointed when my ship came back without you on it."
Ding!
New Quest Alert!
Quest: You've had a good trip. Made a lot of money. Certainly collected some stories. Maybe it's time to take a break. Return to your adopted home of Kivuruk Isle and catch up with old faces.
Reward: 500 Exp and Lv.1 [Skill Disk]. [ACCEPT/DECLINE]
Y'know Dan and the [Game] are right. I should schedule in a visit sometime soon. It's not good to stay away from home for too long.
"Sure Dan. Sounds like a plan."
Nine Days Later, The Marjhan
I struggled in vain to wipe my eyes clear of the water running down my face. The rain was thicker than usual today. Droplets so heavy you could feel each one as they splashed against your person.
"How much longer!" I heard Maken bark towards the navigator.
"What am I, a psychic?" The old sea dog bit back, trying to downplay his shivering from how cold and soaked he was. "The storm will be over when it's over!" White ocean spray washed over the side of the ship, drenching a pair of my shipmates down to the bone. The Marjhan climbed over the crest of a wave and then bounced atop the sea as we came crashing down on the other side. Streaks of lightning lit up the sky in violent awe-inspiring patterns and despite their incredible fury, I had to be grateful for them. They were the only thing preventing us from sailing in almost total darkness.
The cracks of thunder, the yells of the crew, and the endless plop plop plop of millions of raindrops were so deafening that I almost missed it. The thing that would that would this day go from bad to...distinctly below-average.
The alarm bell ringing from the crows nest.
Korka's shouting voice was barely discernible, "What do you see Mr. Skinner!" "It's the Witch!" the lookout cried with an arm pointing to the rear of the ship. "It's 'Red Witch' Mira-jane! She's on our stern and gaining fast!"
Several people, myself included, rushed towards the aft to confirm it with our own eyes. I squinted against the inky blackness of the night but I couldn't pick out one dark shadow of the ocean from the next.
Lighting rumbled in the sky once more and I caught a glimpse of them. Only for a moment or two. But it was still enough to see the pirate vessel heading right for us. The words Bloody Jewel emblazoned proudly across it's main sail.
This wasn't the largest concern though.
Something was pulling their ship.
I couldn't get a perfect look. I doubt any of us did with the few seconds we had. But I distinctly saw spiny electric blue frills just barely jutting out the waters surface. Korka whipped around to the helmsman and the rest of the crew. "More speed!" he bellowed, having seen the same thing I did.
"Oh ho. South Blue's very own 'Beast Tamer'." Waldstein spoke cheerfully but with a hint of nervousness in his throat. "I can think of worse dance partners than the 19 million beri wench...and I think her first mate is worth a little something as well."
"Crowler 'The Weasel'. 7.3 Million." Guilford supplied with an uncharacteristic scowl. "We've met before. When the battle starts, stay out of my way. He's mine."
A thumb-gnawing seven minutes ticked by as the shadowy ship in the distance grew closer and closer. Cannons were loaded and swords were distributed as the crew scrambled for what was about to happen.
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