Time for Siegfried to be attacked by a person trying to kill him over a large amount of money.

The parallel is not lost on me.

Bounty Seven

Chapter Four: The Hanged Man, Part 1

"...twenty three million Beri."

"That's correct." said the marine, tearing off the cheque and handing it to Siegfried. "Don't worry if that seems a bit much, the World Government's coffers can easily handle it."

"No, no." Siegfried shook his head. "I didn't mean that. I was merely...twenty three million? For those two?"

The marine shrugged, then turned back and began directing the others to begin dragging the captured crew toward the jails of this island's marine base.

Siegfried sighed, adjusting his sunglasses and walking off, pausing only briefly to give Erik a wave and a smirk. "Really now. That much for two pirates who shouldn't be a threat to anyone with any amount of experience with pirates. Then again, I suppose not everyone has had the training I've had. Still, though...but I suppose this is fortunate, as this increases my funds quite a bit...especially now that I'm not alone."

Ever since he had left the ferry following it's temporary docking at this town, he had sensed the woman in the mask following him. She was hopping from roof to roof, unseen by all eyes except his own. She had left him alone following his reveal of his powers. Most people were like that, he found. Usually they didn't approach him afterward, but she was different. "We are unique, after all." he smiled.

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Siegfried exited the bank, minus one check and plus twenty three million Beri's worth of bills in his jacket pocket.

The woman was still there, following close behind as he walked down the street. "You know, if you want to follow me, you can just come here. I don't bite."

"..."

"Oh, are you not talking to me any more? I'm hurt. Positively devestated. But honestly, why are you doing this? Surely you have better things to do, judging by your uniform. Unless you're some sort of performance artist."

"With your power, you are a very real and very possible threat. I must follow you, and make sure you do not become one."

"And if I do, you'll kill me, is that it?"


"Exactly."

"Ah. And, tell me, exactly why are you doing this? I've noticed you've been avoiding that. Not very good form for someone who doesn't like dancing around, miss."

"I dislike people who use their words to manipulate others. I can tell you are one of those people just from listening to you."

"Guilty as charged. But you have nothing to worry about, miss. Unlike most Devil Fruit users, I do not use my powers for nothing more than self gain. As you saw, I am a bounty hunter, and I did not accept that occupation for the wealth. What I desire is to help other people. If I have to manipulate those who deserve to be manipulated to do so, then I will."

"And by 'those', you mean pirates, correct?"

"Oh, yes. And anyone else who harms others for their own amusement. I have rather strong feelings about things like that. I wonder, are you the same way?"

"..."

"Well, anyway, I have things to attend to. If you want to continue chasing me around, feel free. I'm used to it from women."

"..."

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He sat there, waiting.

The posture with which he sat in the chair suggested rigid discipline, but that was wrong. He was at the moment very relaxed, for he currently felt that something was about to happen, something he had been awaiting a long time. And he was a very patient man.

His uniform - for that was what he had come to consider it - was frightening. His head and body were covered in dirty wrappings, making him resemble a mummy, or a corpse. Wrapped around his neck was a rope, tied tightly around his neck, making him look like he'd come straight from his own hanging.

It was for this reason that people who did not know his name called him The Hanged Man.

The door to the dark room opened. The Hanged Man let out a slight intake of breath. A very nervous little man entered the room, holding up his empty hands as soon as he was inside. He shook slightly as he approached the desk The Hanged Man sat at.

"I-I have information."

"Speak, then." The Hanged Man's voice was gravelly, and low.

The little man shivered, then said, "T-the boy is here. He is older than in the picture you were supplied with, but I'm sure he is the same."

"Good." His eyes flicked up to the man. "Leave."

"Y-yes, sir. I'll just be going, then." Quickly, he crossed to the door. While he was close, The Hanged Man flicked his wrist, and a knife flew towards his informant. With an undisguised shriek, the man slammed the door, the knife embedding into the wood.

The smile on The Hanged Man's face suggested this was far from the first time he had done this.

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"Uh..." the bartender scratched his chin. "...nope. Can't say I've seen this guy, kid. I can't say I feel bad about it, either. Fella gives me the willies just looking at a picture of 'im."

Siegfried took back the photo, slipping it into his pocket. "Well, thank you anyway." He was too distracted to correct the man on the 'kid' aspect. He'd shown this photo to everyone in the bar, and no-one had known who the person in it was.

"He's as slippery as an eel, but I can't believe there's no-one in this town whose seen him before. It's just a matter of finding someone who has."

Turning, he left the building. Once outside, he pondered his next move. "I suppose he's not the type to go into a bar, but even he has to eat...I suppose."

Asking a passerby, he received directions to the town's general store. He immediately set off towards there. He had been planning to go there anyway, so this was killing two birds with one stone. "The ferry is only in town for today, so I can't afford to waste time."

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The woman rubbed her chin as Siegfried exited the bar. He had only been in there for fifteen minutes, and now he was off again. She began trailing him again. In truth, she was more than a little curious about this boy. And she had had no further contacts from the village, so for now she was free to do as she liked.

Suddenly, a noise reached her ears. A sharp crack, like a whip being lashed. Her eyes widened, and she tried to pull back, but it was too late. Her leg slipped around the rope that had been laid out, and she fell, landing hard on her leg. She did not cry out, however.

Quickly, she reached for a weapon to cut the rope. Another two ropes shot forward, wrapping around her arms and binding them. Appearing like a ghost, The Hanged Man showed himself on the other end of the roof, the ropes extending from one of his sleeves.

"Hm. Now what might this be?" The question was put so flat, it might as well have not been a question. Walking closer, The Hanged Man looked down at her. "A woman in a mask, trailing the very person I have a contract out on."

Kneeling, he cupped his hand under the masked woman's chin and brought her face up to his eyes. They stared intently into hers. "I can tell that you're a beauty underneath that. I can also tell you aren't a killer, but that you are very well trained. Therefore, I can't have you getting in the way."

He flicked his wrist again, and a small but deadly looking knife appeared in his free hand. The woman in the mask gritted her teeth, averting her eyes. The Hanged Man shook his head. "I have more class than that."

The knives severed the ropes, which he tied to her legs and arms. "I would gag you, but I can tell you won't cry out. Now, if you'll excuse me..."

With that, he disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared, leaving her tied up on the roof. She didn't struggle, but her mind was racing, trying to come up with a way to free herself. And also thinking about who had hired this man, and why they wanted the psychic dead.

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Siegfried broke his pace for a moment. The woman's precence had disappeared, and she was no longer following him. "Somewhat disconcerting that I've become used to it." he mused. "But still, if she's in danger somehow..."

This was confirmed when her precence was replaced with an entirely new one. And this one had an intent to kill behind it. Looking around, he could also see that the streets had slowly deserted themselves, and he was the only one remaining there. "How very ominous."

Stopping in front of the general store, he paused. Tapping his chin, he looked intently at the items in the window, and the signs advertising them. As he did so, he tried to pretend like he didn't notice the noose that was slowly, slooooowly lowering into position above him.

At the last moment, he jumped backward, the noose catching nothing but air. Snatching out his hand, he grabbed hold of the rope and tugged, hard.

The Hanged Man tumbled out of the rooftop, landing smoothly on the ground. Straightening up, he retracted the rope, then folded his arms. "I'm impressed. You're as skilled as he said."

Siegfried raised an eyebrow. "And who might 'he' be?" It was a meaningless question. He already knew exactly who had hired this man. "I can assume that you are an assassin, yes?"

The Hanged Man nodded. "It seems a shame to cut down someone so intelligent before they reach their prime...nothing personal, you understand. I'm only in it for the challenge."

Siegfried adjusted his glasses. "I appreciate your empathy, but I have a piece of advice for you: don't bite off more than you can chew."

The Hanged Man shrugged. "Cocky, aren't you? Well, I'll soon get that out of you. I don't take contracts that I don't intend to complete. Bad for business, you know."

"Oh, is that so?" Siegfried smirked. "Then I'm afraid today isn't going to be a good day for you. Because I'm afraid I can't die yet. I still have things to do."

The smirk disappeared, and his face became determined. "And the next thing I'm going to do is beat you until you tell me whoever it is that hired you."

To be continued

Next time, on Bounty Seven...

The Hanged Man: You're good...but I'm better.

???: Do you trust me, psychic?

Siegfried: The person who hired you...was him, wasn't it?

The Hanged Man, Part 2

Siegfried: I'm going to find him, even if I have to travel the whole world.

Next chapter, the first fight scene that's actually good. Huzzah!