"Alright, Mister Caius… What do you want from us?" Tod asked, a little more composed now. "You didn't kill us, so there's gotta be a reason."
I looked at him.
"Take me to Loguetown."
They both went silent for a second. I could see the gears turning in their heads, figuring out if it was safer to cooperate.
'I'll use the trip to watch how they handle the ship.' I thought to myself. 'I only know how to pilot motorboats, this kind of sailing vessel was outdated.'
Bob finally spoke. "We were headed there anyway."
"Good." I replied. "Then let's not waste time."
They nodded, and Bob headed toward the helm while Tod scrambled to help with the sails. I leaned against the railing, watching every move they made, how they hoisted the anchor, adjusted the ropes, caught the wind.
During the trip, while Tod and Bob handled the navigation, I took the time to study the map they had laid out near the helm.
Cascara… Belle Isle… Gecko Islands…
I knew these places.
At least, I knew of them, from the stories, the manga, the anime.
Night fell slowly over the East Blue, the sky turning a deep dark. The ship rocked gently on calm waves as we sat on crates around a small lantern, eating what Bob had thrown together. It wasn't fancy, but it did the job.
We ate in silence for a while. The only sounds were the creaking of the wood and the soft splash of the sea against the hull.
Then, Tod broke the quiet.
"So… Mister Caius" he said cautiously. "are you a pirate?"
I didn't answer. Just kept eating.
'Bounty hunter' I thought to myself, chewing slowly. 'It wouldn't be that different from the life I used to live, chasing people down, doing dirty work for money.'
I glanced at the sea.
'Why not go all the way this time? If I'm gonna be hunted either way… Might as well live free. No masters. No orders.
Yeah… Pirate sounds better.'
I didn't look at Tod, just muttered while still chewing. "Not yet."
"Alright, and you two." I said, glancing between Tod and Bob. "You call yourselves pirates… but what do you actually do?"
Tod shrugged, giving a sheepish smile. "Nothing too serious, really. We just steal. But like, with ethics, you know? We target merchant ships, rich folks."
'Ethical, if it were me I wouldn't hold back'
"Yeah, exactly what he said." Bob added with a nod.
I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "And how come the Marines haven't caught you yet? You don't exactly strike me as the clever type."
Tod chuckled nervously. "We pay who needs to be paid. In East Blue, everyone's got a price, you just gotta know who."
"I see…" I muttered.
'Low-tier pirates, but not idiots. They survive with connections.'
"And Loguetown?" I asked. "How long until we get there?"
Bob looked up at the stars, then back at the sails. "Less than a day, I'd say. If the wind stays in our favor."
I nodded.
The next morning, we were back on course.
The sun had barely risen when the sails caught a steady wind, and the ship moved smoothly across the East Blue. The breeze was warm, the sea calm, it was peaceful for a world known for chaos.
Hours passed.
Then, from up in the crow's nest, Tod shouted. "I see the island! Straight ahead!"
"Got it!" Bob called back, adjusting the helm.
I stepped to the edge of the deck, my eyes narrowing as the silhouette of the island came into view.
There it is…
The place where the Pirate King was born… and where he died.
A few moments later, we finally docked at Loguetown.
"We're here." Bob called out, grunting a bit as he worked the ropes and tied the ship to the dock with practiced hands.
I stood near the edge of the ship, arms crossed, watching the island grow more vivid and detailed with each second. Stone buildings, people shouting, it was alive.
"Alright." I said, turning toward the two men. "this is where we part ways. We're even."
Bob blinked. "What do you mea—"
Before he could finish, Tod stepped in quickly, giving him a light elbow and a firm look. "Understood." he said to me, more serious now. "Thanks for not killing us, I guess."
I gave them both a final nod and walked down the ramp onto the docks, the wooden boards creaking under my steps.
The port was overflowing with life, merchants yelling their prices over each other, sailors arguing or laughing loudly as they hauled crates, kids weaving between people with fruit or stolen goods in hand. The smell of salt, spices, grilled meat all mixed together.
The market near the docks was massive. Stalls covered in bright tarps offered everything from clothes to fruits and vegetables.
Marines patrolled nearby, lazily keeping order, their rifles resting on their shoulders.
'This place… it's full of energy.' I thought as I stepped deeper into the crowd.
I walked through the busy streets, blending into the crowd as best I could despite standing out like a sore thumb. With my height, my build, and well… being a Fishman, subtlety wasn't exactly on my side.
Still, I kept my ears open, listening in on the conversations around me.
"Yes, yes, I'm telling you, it's happening tomorrow! Right here!" said a woman, her voice sharp with gossip as she leaned toward her friend. They were both wide-eyed, the excitement barely contained.
'So the execution is tomorrow.' I thought. 'That explains the tension in the air.'
As I continued walking, the chatter around me mixed with laughter, haggling, and the occasional hostile glare. I felt eyes on me everywhere I went.
"Look at that… disgusting, a Fishman in broad daylight." I heard a man mutter, just loud enough for me to catch.
I glanced in his direction. He was already looking away, pretending like he hadn't said anything.
'Typical.' I thought.
'Even in a world like this, some things don't change.'