20+ early chapters on Pátreon.com/Herd99
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The night air was crisp as Kain and Tashigi stepped out of the bar. The streets of Loguetown had quieted, save for the distant sounds of rowdy pirates singing off-key somewhere near the docks.
Kain stuffed his hands into his coat pockets and let out a contented sigh. "See? That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Tashigi, slightly tipsy, frowned at him. "I was just thanking you."
He smirked. "Sure, sure. You're welcome, by the way."
She sighed, adjusting her glasses, though she was wobbling slightly. Kain shook his head, watching as she tried to walk straight. She's really bad at holding her liquor, huh?
"Alright, alright, let's get you back to base before Smoker sees you like this."
"I can walk fine," she muttered, taking a step forward. Then another. Then nearly tripping.
Kain caught her by the arm with a lazy grip. "Yeah. Walking great so far."
She huffed but didn't argue as Kain kept a steady hand on her shoulder, guiding her through the dimly lit streets.
That's when he felt it.
A shift in the air. The kind that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up.
They had taken a shortcut through a narrow alley—a familiar enough path back to the base. But now, something was off. The air felt heavier.
Kain exhaled through his nose. Here we go.
The moment they passed the midpoint of the alley, shadows moved. Figures emerged from the darkness ahead, blocking their path. And behind them, another group closed in.
A low chuckle echoed in the tight space.
"Well, well."
At the front of the group stood the bounty hunter from earlier. His hand was now wrapped in a makeshift sling, but his grin was just as cocky as before.
"Didn't think you'd get away with breaking my hand, did you?"
Kain sighed. "You're still on this?"
The bounty hunter's grin widened. "Oh, I'm definitely still on this." He gestured behind him. "See, the thing about Loguetown? It's full of people who'd love to put a Marine in his place."
Kain took a quick headcount. Six, maybe seven guys. Most looked like small-time thugs, armed with clubs and knives.
Nothing he couldn't handle.
He turned to Tashigi, only to find her frowning, gripping the hilt of her sword.
"I can fight," she muttered.
Kain studied her for a second. She was standing steady now, her stance firm despite the alcohol.
Then he sighed. "Yeah, yeah. Just don't push yourself."
The bounty hunter scoffed. "Big talk. Let's see if you're still so cocky after we beat you into the dirt."
And then they attacked.
The first guy lunged at Kain with a knife.
Kain tilted his head slightly, avoiding the blade with minimal effort. He caught the man's wrist in one hand, twisted it, and casually disarmed him. The knife clattered to the ground.
Then Kain pulled the man forward and drove a knee into his stomach. The thug gasped, doubling over before Kain shoved him aside like an afterthought.
"Next?"
Two more rushed him.
Kain sighed. He vanished with a quick Soru, appearing behind them in an instant. Before they could react, he raised a leg and brought it down with a sharp Rankyaku—a slicing shockwave of air that sent them both crashing into the alley wall.
Tashigi, meanwhile, had already drawn her sword. A thug swung a club at her, but she sidestepped, her blade flashing in the dim light. She wasn't aiming to kill—just precise, measured strikes that disarmed and disabled.
Kain watched her for a moment. She was good.
But then, another attacker tried to rush her from the side.
Kain moved before he could think about it.
With another burst of Soru, he was there, catching the thug's arm before the attack could land.
The thug barely had time to react before Kain slammed his elbow into his ribs. A muffled crack followed, and the man collapsed, groaning.
Tashigi blinked. "I had that."
Kain shrugged. "Sure you did."
The bounty hunter gritted his teeth, watching as his men lay sprawled across the alley. He took a step back. "You… you think this is over? You think—"
Kain was already in front of him.
The bounty hunter barely had time to flinch before Kain grabbed his collar and yanked him forward.
"Listen," Kain muttered, his voice dangerously low. "I really, really don't like fighting. It's exhausting."
The bounty hunter swallowed hard.
"So here's the deal," Kain continued. "You and your friends? You walk away. You don't bother me again. Or next time, I won't just break your hand."
The bounty hunter nodded frantically. "Y-yeah. Yeah, got it."
Kain sighed, shoving him backward. "Good talk."
The man stumbled, then turned and bolted. The rest of the thugs scrambled to their feet, limping away as fast as they could.
And just like that, the alley was empty again.
Tashigi let out a slow breath, sheathing her sword. "Well. That was annoying."
Kain stretched his arms over his head. "Tell me about it."
Tashigi frowned at him. "You could take this a little more seriously, you know."
Kain smirked. "Why? We won."
She opened her mouth, then sighed, shaking her head. "Forget it. Let's just get back to base."
Kain nodded. "Yeah. Before you pass out."
She shot him a glare, but there was no real heat behind it.
And with that, they walked on, leaving the alley behind them.
The streets of Loguetown were quieter now, the last echoes of distant laughter and drunken singing fading into the night. The ocean breeze carried the faint scent of salt and rain, making the air feel cooler.
Kain glanced at Tashigi as they walked, his hands stuffed into his coat pockets. She was steadier now, no longer wobbling, but her face still carried the remnants of exhaustion—both from the fight and the alcohol.
"You holding up?" he asked.
"I'm fine," she muttered, adjusting her glasses.
Kain smirked. "You don't look fine."
She shot him a glare but didn't respond. Instead, she kept walking, her pace measured. She was deep in thought. Kain could tell.
For a while, neither of them spoke. The rhythmic sound of their footsteps filled the silence as they moved through the dimly lit streets, weaving past shuttered shops and dark alleys.
Eventually, Tashigi broke the silence. "You didn't have to step in back there."
Kain arched an eyebrow. "Back where? The bar or the alley?"
"Both," she admitted. She looked down, gripping the hilt of her sword. "I could've handled it."
Kain exhaled through his nose, tilting his head back to look at the sky. "Maybe."
Tashigi frowned. "That's it? Just 'maybe'?"
Kain shrugged. "You're strong, Tashigi. I know that. But strength isn't just about winning fights. It's about knowing when to step in and when to let someone else handle things."
She bit her lip. "And you thought I couldn't handle it?"
Kain sighed. "I thought it wasn't worth the trouble."
She blinked, surprised by his answer.
"I don't like fighting," Kain continued. "It's messy, it's loud, and most of the time, it doesn't solve anything. But sometimes, it's just… easier to step in and end it before things get worse."
Tashigi was quiet for a moment. Then, in a softer voice, she said, "I don't want to be protected like some helpless recruit."
Kain glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "I wasn't protecting you."
She frowned. "Then what were you doing?"
He smirked. "Saving myself from paperwork."
Tashigi let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "You really are impossible."
Kain grinned. "So I've been told."
They turned a corner, the Marine base now in sight. The torches at the entrance flickered against the stone walls, casting long shadows on the ground.
Tashigi slowed her steps.
Kain noticed. "What?"
She hesitated, then said, "Thank you."
Kain blinked.
Tashigi quickly looked away, clearly embarrassed. "For, you know… back there."
Kain chuckled. "Didn't think I'd ever hear that from you. And sincerely too."
Tashigi rolled her eyes. "Forget it."
"Nope, too late. It's already stored in the memory banks."
She groaned. "You're the worst."
Kain smirked, but before he could fire back another remark, a familiar voice cut through the night air.
"You're late."
Both of them turned to see Smoker standing at the entrance, arms crossed. His usual cigar was clenched between his teeth, smoke curling in the cold air.
Tashigi immediately straightened. "Sir!"
Kain, on the other hand, simply sighed. "And here I was hoping to make it back without running into you."
Smoker's eyes narrowed. "Care to explain why you two look like you've been through a fight?"
Tashigi hesitated.
Kain stuffed his hands deeper into his pockets. "Eh, some guys had bad manners. We helped them rethink their life choices."
Smoker exhaled a cloud of smoke, unamused. "And you didn't think to report it?"
Kain yawned. "Didn't seem important."
Smoker gave him a long, hard look. Then he turned to Tashigi. "What happened?"
She hesitated again, then quietly said, "It was nothing, sir. Just a minor altercation."
Smoker frowned but didn't press further. He studied the both of them for a moment longer before letting out a grunt. "Fine. Get some rest. Both of you."
Tashigi saluted. "Yes, sir."
Kain, meanwhile, was already walking past him. "Gladly."
As they entered the base, Tashigi glanced at Kain once more. He looked just as lazy as ever, but there was something different—something she couldn't quite put into words.
Maybe, she thought, he wasn't as indifferent as he pretended to be.
And maybe, just maybe, he wasn't the only one learning something from all this.
With that final thought, she turned and headed toward her own quarters, leaving the night—and the fight—behind.