Ahoy, hearties! I be writin' from Switzerland to ye today! I apologize for the long delay, I have no excuse for it asides from lots uni work. In any case, I thought it be time for a Kaiba chapter! Poor lad's been neglected for too long!
Pleasant reading to ye all!
Liverand Port town
The rhythmic footsteps of the large bay stallion he's riding are the only sound around as Seto quickly makes his way up the dark alley. He hasn't managed to sleep at all. It has been a long time since something other than business has kept him awake like this. He doesn't feel the exhaustion, only the discomfort of his curled up insides. Captain Leichter decided to leave at dawn but it's still far away. Too damn far away. It was barely half past one. About three more hours to go before the first lights showed. He sure isn't going to sleep till then.
So there he was, going to a place he never thought he'd return to. The only places still lively at this hour are the taverns and bars of the town. It's one of the advantages of living near a port; there's always an opened tavern around. Quickly, he leads his ride up the street and finally reaches the large building that used to be the headquarters of the Kaiba Company. The building is still technically his but he hates it so much he moved the HQ to Domino, where the family mansion is. The ugly building has been deserted since. Four years since he's taken control of his life again. Time flies and yet it still feels like it was only yesterday. He's never taken the time to examine what's inside. Deep down, he always hoped thieves would just break in and take everything before burning the place down. Fire is efficient that way. It leaves nothing behind. Looks like he was going to have to do it himself. Not unlike back then.
The young Lord lets out an annoyed sigh before dismounting and leaving his horse tied to a marble post at the front. He walks up the marble stairs and unlocks the large double doors. He nearly chokes after taking a whiff of the dust infested air inside. But it's more than that. There's that stench only he can detect that would seem trivial to the rest of the world. The smell Gozaburo left wherever he went; corruption. Shaking it off, he makes his way down a hallway and up a polished wooden staircase. Upstairs, he goes down two more hallways before reaching his step-father's office. The moon is bright and full tonight. Good, he doesn't have to bother lighting a lamp.
"Am I that desperate that I came here?" he asks himself before snorting. "Of course I am."
Perhaps in this cursed place there's something that could help him. The room is just as he left it four years ago; as messy as his office is spotless. The large table in the middle of the room was covered in old paper files and books, reflecting the person that once owned it. As much as it pained Seto to admit it, Gozaburo and him shared many similarities. Determination, relentlessness, pride, brains… But it's their difference that kept him on top. Unlike his adoptive father, Seto is anything but sloppy.
Moving to the wall behind the desk, the young Baron seizes the priceless painting hanging there and removes it, uncovering the safe. The sight of it makes an old memory come to mind.
"In this safe, is what will allow you to continue my legacy and make an even greater name for our family. I'll give it to you when you're ready. You still have a long way to go, Seto. A long long way."
The memory is enough to make him want to punch himself. This is why he didn't want to come here. The old bastard that had coerced their widowed mother into marrying him and made him his slave to carry out his rotten legacy is still inside his head. Probably always will be. In places like this, remembering him is easier. Damn it all! He tosses the painting aside and moves the pieces of the little vault. Gozaburo had it made in Italy and the locking system is one of a kind. He thought he was being clever but it had taken Seto less than an hour to crack it once he figured out the mechanism.
When he opens the vault, he expects to find some papers indicating all the diamond and gold minds in the Caribbean or maybe compromising documents on important people. But inside the metal box, is nothing but a small glittering objet. What he pulls out turns out to be a small oval shaped vial. Small enough to fit in the palm of his hand. Inside, is a transparent liquid. It's shines like a diamond, the glass work was masterfully done. But it's nothing. Nothing that's going to help him find Yugi or Mokuba.
'Why did I ever think you could be useful for anything for anything, bastard?'
He thinks of crushing the vial but his instincts tell him otherwise. Gozaburo wouldn't have kept this unless it had some worth. Judging from the way he bragged, it must be very precious. Gozaburo never fully trusted him, but back when he showed the vault for the first time, he thought he had complete control over him, because of Mokuba and Yugi. A new resource perhaps? In any case, that's the least of his worries at the moment. What he wouldn't give for time to accelerate…
'Sounds like something Yugi would say,' he thought to himself.
Wishing doesn't accomplish anything. Actions do. Curse it all, he is devolving to a child's mentality. In this moment, there's nothing he can do because there's not enough light. A wave of frustration takes over him and before he knows it, his fist crashes on the desk, making papers and books fall off. He shoves the vial in the inner pocket of his coat before exiting the suffocating room.
After locking up the building again, he returns to his horse and heads back towards the port at tranquil pace. There's nothing to do but wait for sunrise, and staying still will only make him even more nervous. Something numbing would be nice. Just as the thought crosses his mind, he reaches the port and spots a couple of lights coming out of a tavern called the Flying Fish.
'Why not? Now is as good a time as any.'
After returning the horse to the local navy's stables, he walks back to the tavern. As expected, it's full of sailors and local navy men. Some are playing cards, others discuss work and some have just plainly fallen asleep after a couple of drinks. Luckily for him, the counter is almost completely empty. By the time he reaches it, multiple pairs of eyes look at him surprised. It's not hard to guess he's from nobility with the way he dresses. Ignoring them, he removes his coat and sits at the counter.
"Aren't ye dressed fancy for a place like this," says the barman on the other side. He's a big man in his early forties, clearly a retired sailor.
"Too fancy for your ale too, I wager?" growls back Seto.
"I meant no offense, m'lord," assures the man. "Just that nobles are a rare sight in my establishment. Ye are a noble, ain't ye? No one else in the Caribbean wears gloves with this heat."
The man's remark makes him look down at his hands, covered in black leather. It's a fair assumption but he's not wearing gloves for that reason. Nothing he's willing to share with anyone. Thankfully, the barman deviates the subject.
'Round here, folks call me Tanner. How can this ol' jack be of service?"
"Do you have any good whisky?"
"Diavolo. Strong enough to put a bull to sleep. I ain't suggesting too much of it if ye're working early."
"Pour me a glass," he order, putting two silver coins on the counter.
"Aye, m'lord." Tanner grabs a glass and bottle behind him but it doesn't keep him silent long. "Hope ye'll pardon my indiscretion, m'lord, but ye seem to need sleep more than this."
Ordinarily, Seto would've just told him to mind his own business. But the talkative barman's words might be just what he needs to keep his own mind from torturing him. He doesn't answer and brings the glass to his mouth. The liquid burns his throat the moment it goes down, so much that his eyes water. Figures only strong booze can get him to let out a tear. His insides feel like they're on fire. Good. Just what he needs and deserves. Tanner whistles in admiration.
"This devil concoction is what attracts most of my clients. Can't believe ye didn't choke on it. Most who try it for the first time practically puke out their insides. Ye're young but ye look like ye been drinking longer than I have. How d'ye do it?"
He might not have choked, but the whisky is doing its job. A wave of heat coming from his stomach spreads to the rest of him, and when it reaches his head, an uncomfortable vibration shoots through it. What follows is a strange numbness. Hopefully it will last until dawn.
"I have excessive self-control," he says, taking another sip.
"Shiver me timbers," exclaims Tanner laughing. "Yer something, m'lord. Where d'ye come from?"
"Domino."
"Ah from the south, then. Arrived by sea, did ye? Rumors are it's getting rowdy down there."
Rowdy? Not that he heard of. There was no current fighting over the Caribbean colonies and pirate activity is actually more to the north. Of course, that's without counting what's happened today. Misinformation isn't uncommon but being informed this quickly is impossible. Not if he's referring to what happened this morning.
"What rumors?"
"He means the cannon fire," says a voice just as a man in a navy uniform takes place beside him at the counter. "Pour some more of that whisky, Tanner. Make it double."
As the innkeeper turns away, the navy man removes his bicorn revealing familiar short red hair and grey eyes. The smug look is the dead giveaway. Now there's a face he wasn't expecting to see again anytime soon. Normally, nothing would've annoyed him more than meeting the old academy comrade that used to provoke him every chance he got. Now, he's already too numb and not in the mood to be surprised.
"Seto Kaiba, as I live and breathe," says the man, smiling. "It's been too long."
Oh for heaven's sake… Is peace too much to ask for?
"What are you doing here, Alister?"
"You're as pleasant as ever," replies the navy man, chuckling. "I'm doing my job, dear baron. I was assigned to Liverand's fleet right after we finished the academy. I'd ask what you've been up to in the past three years, but your reputation precedes you."
Seto glances at the man's strips on his shoulders. Judging from them, the obnoxious loudmouth is a lieutenant now. How in the world?
"I have to say," continues the red-head, "I never expected to meet you by chance in a place like this. It's much too unrefined for you. You're still wearing those gloves."
Somehow, during his time at military school. the rumor was that he wore them to avoid touching dirt and dust. Ridiculous.
"Lay off, Alister. I'm not in the mood for nostalgia."
The lieutenant throws him a surprised look before grabbing the glass Tanner brought him. "I suppose you wouldn't be what with one of your cargo ships going missing. Admiral Pegasus sent a pigeon warning us to keep an eye out for unknown ships in our waters. He gave us some details as well."
Well if anything, Pegasus is efficient. He must've warned all the port towns in the area. Seto grits his teeth before taking another sip. Damn that admiral, doing whatever he pleases, how he pleases. He's taking advantage of the situation to gain control in his territory. He'll need to have a word with him when all of this mess is over. But if it helps find Yugi and Mokuba faster, he'll endure it for now.
"Still, I'm surprised you're here in person searching for one cargo ship. Isn't it worth next to nothing compared to what you have?"
It doesn't seem like his old acquaintance has any intention of leaving him alone. Under any other circumstances, he would tell him to piss off. But there's still a couple of hours to go before dawn and if he doesn't want to drink himself unconscious before then, he could use the distraction. Even from Alister Crowley.
"There something I want back," he lets out.
"So you say," replies Alister, delighted to have a reaction, "I think you're out of your mind because pirates got the drop on you and you're impenetrable defense."
On second thoughts, he might kill the loudmouth before dawn. But before he can retort anything, Alister's cocky smile vanishes.
"On a serious note, you came with the ships scouting the coast, didn't you? Did you catch up with one of the rogues not too far from here?"
"No. Why do you ask?"
"The cannon fire from earlier. It was distant but it definitely came from the south. We sent scouts to investigate but there was nothing to see. Neither ship nor debris. I thought you might know something."
"When was that?"
"Around noon."
Noon? The Blue Eyes was headed back to Kingtown to warn the Admiral at that time. Could it have been the pirates fighting each other? Arcana and his Gambler escaped nearly in pieces. If they had fought with the unknown fourth ship, there would've been traces.
"Are you certain there was nothing?"
"We scouted twenty miles south. Nothing. I thought you might know something but seems we're going to have to classify it as another ghost incident in our reports."
Another dead end then. His hand finds its way inside his pocket and wraps around the little bracelet again. The universe seems to enjoy torturing him with false hopes. The Golden Whale is an enormous ship, it can't just have vanished into thin air, damn it! They can't have escaped through the sea with only half the man power to maneuver it. That's just impossible. For one, it would mean they'd have abandoned their own ship. Second, the scouts would've caught up with them by now. No, the only real solution is that they hid it somewhere, probably in the same place they left the fourth rogue ship. That's the only explanation. And yet, according to Leichter, there is no such place anywhere near.
Hastily bringing his glass to his mouth again, he empties it before slamming it back down, cracking it. That's the moment Alister understood.
"The message we received from the admiral also stated to apprehend and search suspicious ships for hostages. What you're looking for is far more precious than anything you have, isn't it?"
All the young baron does is throw the red-head a death glare that speaks volumes. Not because Alister is nosy. God knows Pegasus holds that crown. No, it's because he knows exactly how Seto feels. His younger brother, Michael, was kidnapped, ransomed and killed by pirates at the age of seven. Having others this close to his feelings is unbearable in more ways than one. But before he can verbally tell him to back away, the door of the tavern swings open. A man with shaggy brown hair also wearing a navy uniform walks in, an air of urgency about him.
"Lieutenant Crowley," he calls out approaching them. "I was looking all over for you, sir. Glad I found you."
Immediately, Alister stands up, on high alert. Seto recognizes the natural soldier's duty instinct he himself lacked back in military school.
"What's going on, Valon?"
"A man came to the HQ. Said his sons were playing in the caves behind the cliffs. Apparently the lads tumbled upon something strange. Sayin' there are ships in Death Bay."
"That's impossible."
"The man's positive. He saw it himself when his boys showed him."
Ships. That's the only word needed to have Seto's attention. "What is Death Bay?"
"A large saltwater lake inside a cave about five miles south from here," explained Alister. "It's accessible by narrow underground pathways. But there's no entrance large enough to the ocean for a whole ship to get in, let alone two. Valon, are you certain?"
"I'm reporting exactly what the man said, Lieutenant. He also said some pretty unsavory people were inside. Thought they were bandits, that's why he came to warn us. I thought it was ridiculous too, but I don't think he would've made the trip with his sons in the middle of the night to lie about something like this. There must be something fishy going on there."
Alister brought a hand to his chin. "Ship or not, it's not unusual to have thieves or other criminals hide there. It makes for a good hiding spot. And it has been a long time since the last inspection. Go back to the barracks and have twenty of the men saddle up. We can't be too careful."
"Yes, sir!"
With that, Valon rushes out of the tavern. Ships hidden in a cave? Unsavory individuals? Exactly what he thought from the start. That's all he needs to know.
"I'm going with you," he states standing up.
The lieutenant throws him a surprised look. "Didn't you hear me? I said it's impossible for it to be the ships you're looking for. Besides, this isn't a civilian matter, Kaiba. I can't have you get in the way."
"Last I recall, Alister, you still haven't managed to land a hit on me in your life. I take care of myself. Secondly, if there's the slightest chance that's my ship, I'm not letting anyone get in my way. Not you and not the entire navy."
Alister stares back at him, uncertain. He knows his stubbornness well enough from their military school days. They aren't that far away. After what seems like an hour of internal deliberation, the lieutenant finally uncrosses his arms.
"Only on one condition. You follow my orders. For now, it's still unclear what's out there."
"Fine."
Alister wasn't lying. The entrances of the caves are barely wide enough for a grown man to pass. For this reason, the lieutenant has broken the small platoon into three, and each is currently making its way through different tunnels leading to Death Bay. Some of the men are stationed outside, to prevent any escape attempts. Of course, Alister decided to keep him close. So Seto follows as the lieutenant leads the way, a lantern in his hand, clearly knowing where he's going. The tunnel enlarges as he follows Alister. All the soldiers are fully equipped, guns and swords ready to be drawn.
The young baron can feel his heart hammering in his chest and resonating in his skull like a torturous cacophony. This is his answer. It has to be. Shaking off the anxiousness, he searches for something to occupy his brain with and keep him from going mad. No matter how he looks at it, this cave is the only possible solution. Still, how can a closed off cave let in ships?
"Alister," he calls out as they keep making their way through the widening tunnels, "you said there is no opening wide enough to let a ship into Death Bay. How do you know that?"
"Because I inspected the cave myself for similar reasons. Bandits were hiding here and attacking travelers. We were sent to flush them out."
"When was that?"
"About six months ago."
What can happen in half a year that can make an opening large enough to let a vessel as big as the Golden Whale in? It has to be something that also camouflaged the entrance from the open sea. A natural disaster wouldn't leave obvious traces.
"Have there been any major earthquakes or storms since then?"
"Nothing that would make a hole in a cliff like this one. It'd take a typhoon to pierce through the rock. Sorry Kaiba but there's little chance these are your ships."
The odds are not playing in his favor. But if there's one thing anyone should know about Seto Kaiba, it's that even when all odds are against him, he doesn't back down. This is a ridiculous gamble, but it's his only clear lead since the beginning of this hunt. According to Alister, it was named Death Bay because of all the children that have gotten hurt or even died playing here. The name is meant to scare away. In turn, it's created this criminal nest for vermins like pirates and bandits.
"Tell me something Kaiba," asks Alister, neither turning around nor stopping but quietly enough to keep the others from hearing, "the reason you're getting involved, is it worth that much?"
He doesn't reply. He doesn't have to. The lieutenant doesn't insist, obviously having his answer. The red-head suddenly comes to a halt and all imitate him. Seto spots it immediately. A faint light at the end of the tunnel. Voices begin to reach them as well, though what they are saying is unclear. Slowly lowering himself to the ground, Alister puts down the lantern.
"Put the lights down and ready your guns, but don't pull back the triggers yet." he orders quietly, rising up. "The last thing we need is a stray bullet to accidentally kill one of us in the dark. We're not on a manhunt. And mind your steps."
As his men execute his orders, he turns to Seto. He reaches for his belt and pulls out a gun to offer it to him.
"I don't suppose anything will happen but we can't be too careful. Take this. The last thing I want is for a civilian under my responsibility to get hurt."
Guns are easy and efficient. That's why Seto learned to use them, under the command of Gozaburo. But if the people in that cave are who he thinks they are, then this encounter will be up close and personal. His fingers started tingling in excited anger. Something that's not happened in a long time. Despite that, he's too experienced to let that unbearable feeling take control. In response, he moves his coat out of the way, showing off the cutlass at his side.
"I don't need it."
Judging from the face Alister is making, he hasn't forgotten those past days on the training court of the academy. No one in their year had ever beaten Seto. So the lieutenant adds nothing and puts away the shot before resuming the advance. The soldiers are well trained. Seto can tell. Their steps are as quiet as their breathing. Despite being as young as him, it seems Alister has become quite the leader. The silence allows them to see and hear more clearly as they approached the end of the tunnel.
The sounds leave him perplexed though. One would expect that the pirates who'd managed to get their hands on a prize such as the Whale's cargo would be celebrating and drinking themselves dead. Instead —though he can't quite make out words yet— the voices sound irritated, dare he say angry.
That's not good.
"What good is it fixing it now?" is the first full sentence he catches. "That double crossin' son of a biscuit eater thought of everythin'."
"We be goin' on a manhunt when we be out of here, is what I say!"
"Well hang that scurvy dog with his own insides."
Most certainly not the words of people celebrating a victory. The tingle in his fingers becomes worse and he clenches the blade to keep them under control. Finally, they reach the end of the tunnel. Large cave is an understatement. Death Bay has enough space to host a dozen ships. And on the water, he spots the enormous wooden construction that is the Golden Whale. His heart throbs painfully. It's here. He was right from the start. Against his cargo ship, is a smaller vessel, clearly undergoing some well needed fixing. The Gambler. His teeth clench so hard they almost shatter.
Arcana.
The lighting comes from a couple of large bonfires, lit up on the stone beach they've just emerged on. The flames made shadows dance on the walls of the cavern. Luckily, large rocks still keep them out of sight. With a sign of the hand, Alister orders his men to kneel down and stay hidden. The discreet glance he throws at the two ships betrays how distraught he is. How did they get here? But almost as quick, the red-head refocuses on the thirty-or-so men sitting around the fires, eating and drinking not ten feet from them. That duty-first-questions-later mentality is another thing Alister had in him since the academy days. If Seto's head wasn't filled with the same questions, he might have internally complimented him.
Among the venting criminals, the baron's eyes quickly land on the skinny, bearded man in the black coat. Every muscle in his body tenses at the sight. When was the last time he was this close to losing control?
"That's too kind, ye softies!" shouts another. "I say we leave him stranded to starve and give him a piece o' his own medicine."
"Settle down, hearties," replies Arcana with a calm voice but still unmistakably filled with contempt. "There ain't nothin' to do 'til that cursed powder dries. Then we can shoot our way out of this death trap."
"That be takin' forever, won't it captain?" asks another of his men. "Besides, until our turner be fixed, it be difficult to aim…"
"We don't got much choice, now do we, rascal?" A smirk appears on the captain's face. "But there be no need for rushin'. When we be free, we got plenty of tribute to spend and time to hunt down the traitor. Till then, there be plenty o' rum to go 'round. Ain't that the truth!"
Raw and unbridled laughter fills the cave, making Seto's stomach curl up in disgust. He can feel the blood inside him boiling. He reaches for the handle of his cutlass but a hand lands on his arm stopping him.
"Remember our agreement," mouths Alister, shooting him a warning glare. "If you make a move on your own, I will charge you with obstruction."
Is he serious?
"What are we waiting for?" he whispers back. "You have all the proof you need to intervene."
The lieutenant opens his mouth to respond but freezes when the sound of a bird singing echoes through the cave. It's not impossible for them to get stuck in here but why is Alister so distracted by it? A few seconds later, the bird sings again. This time, the lieutenant brings his hands to his mouth and makes the same sound. A warning signal from the other two groups? Clever.
"Get ready," he whispers to all of them this time.
All the soldiers simultaneously pull back the triggers on their rifles. Unsheathing his blade — slowly as not to make any noise—Alister then pulls a small whistle out of his uniform jacket.
"You stay here," he orders the baron. "Though it's unlikely, I don't want you hurt on my watch."
Before he can protest, Alister brings the whistle to his lips. The high pitched whistle resonates in the cave and the soldiers by his side jump to their feet and sprint towards the bonfires. The pirates barely have time to look up before more soldiers spring out of two more directions. By the time they get to their feet, a circle of bayonets and barrels stare at them straight in the eyes.
"Felix Arcana," says Alister, as the men step aside to let him through. "Looks like your legendary luck has finally run out, pirate."
"Blasted blue coats…" curses the skinny captain. "How in Davy Jone's name did ye find us?"
"You're all under arrest for the acts of piracy, murder and theft. I declare you under the jurisdiction of the governor of Liverand, where you'll await judgment for your crimes." A half smile spreads out his cheek. "Unless you'd like to try fighting back in which case, you'll die here and now. By all means give me a reason to kill you."
The sentence for piracy is the same for captains as it is for simple powder monkeys; death by hanging. Most prefer to go down fighting but it doesn't seem to be the case with this crew. Not one of the bastards even tries to reach for their in reach weapons. Maybe that's he reason Arcana is so lucky. Because he thought like a coward. Cowards are surprisingly good at staying alive and avoiding unnecessary trouble. But one can only run so far. Especially when running from Seto Kaiba.
The soldiers start tying up the vermin and the baron finally steps out of hiding. Finally, a concrete hint. Something to work with. Making his way around the busy navy men, he heads for Arcana, now tied up and seated on the ground at Alister's feet.
"You were right," says the latter, pointing at the cargo ship. "Is it yours?"
"It is," he replies, but his eyes are staring down at the pirate.
The moment he's in range and the skinny captain's eyes widen in fear in recognition, his foot collides with the bastard's cheek, throwing him to the ground. Arcana coughs and spits out blood.
"Remember me, piece of trash?"
"Kaiba, enough!" says Alister, putting himself between him and his hint, a hand on his shoulder. "We got them. There's no need for that. We'll interrogate them at Liverand."
"Keep your hands off me," he snaps back, pushing the hand away. "You can't be serious. By the time you send a messenger, bring a carriage to transport the vermin and get back to town, it'll be noon. I don't have that kind of time and I need answers now. A minute with him is all I need."
"I can't let you do that. It's against protocol not to mention illegal. If they're to be interrogated, it will be by the hand of the navy and no one else. That's what makes us different from them."
"Spare me your moralizing, Alister. I don't have time for this. Out of my way!"
"Don't make me arrest you too, Kaiba," replies the lieutenant, immovable. "Neither of us wants that."
No. No! Too much time has been wasted already. It's clear there are no hostages here which can only mean one thing. Yugi and Mokuba are either on that fourth ship or dead. The only one who holds that information is the pirate currently spitting his tooth out. A wave of wrathful energy rushes through him like a torrent and before he himself realizes it, his hand pulls out his cutlass halfway.
"I warned you I wouldn't let anyone get in my way."
The red-head doesn't flinch and raises a hand to stop the soldiers about to intervene. "Don't be a fool Seto, it's not like you. Getting hurt here won't help you get your cargo back."
"To hell with my cargo!" he snaps. "The fish can have it for all I care. I'll turn myself in with a written confession after if that's what you want. But I'll be damned to hell if my brother ends up like yours!"
A long silence follows his sudden declaration. When was the last he'd shouted like that? The alcohol was a terrible idea after all. But when he sees Alister's face blank with shock, the regret instantly vanishes. He's hit the man's weakest spot. And if that brings him the answer he wants, then there won't be an ounce of remorse in him.
"The hostages the Admiral's message mentioned…" said Alister. "It was your brother?"
The usually confident and amused eyes of the red-head suddenly shift to cold anger. A gaze more befitting of Seto, anyone would say. With that hateful glare, he looks down at Arcana who's just barely sat up straight again.
"Looking for new powder monkeys, were you Arcana?"
"What the devil? Ye talkin' nonsense ye blue coat bast…"
For the second time, Arcana received a foot in the face. Only this time, it stayed on his face, pushing him deeper into the ground. Blood spills from his mouth and nose and he writhes in pain.
"Wrong answer, scum," says Alister, voice as calm as a the wind preceding a storm. "Ten minutes is about as much as I can give you," he tells Seto, the proper soldier in him resurfacing.
"Lieutenant!" protests the man named Valon, seemingly Alister's right hand man. "You can't…"
"Report me if you must when we get back. I'll take responsibility for this. For now, I order you to leave him be. Escort the rascals outside and send for a couple of carriages. Nine minutes, Kaiba."
"It's all I need."
While the navy men hesitantly start dragging the pirates out of the cave, Seto closes the distance between him and Arcana and kneels down in front of him. The captain freezes up, looking at him like he's the devil. Good. In this moment, for that vermin, he IS the devil.
"Listen very closely, maggot; for every wrong answer, for every hesitation, I will hurt you. First question; who was it that organized this operation? Who is the captain of the fourth ship?"
Despite the shaking and clear I'm-pissing-myself-fear, there's no hiding the anger from Seto's watchful eyes. "S-Scurvy dog's name is Sennen. Atem Sennen. Paid us to attack the ship and promised us a large share of the cargo. That double crossin' rascal!"
"Cry me a river. Second question; the name of the ship."
"Millennium."
Pegasus was right. Those names were new.
"Third question; did you at any point see Sennen and his crew take a boy and a girl from the cargo ship?"
"How should I bloody know? I was busy wringin' that bastard's ne…AAAAHHHH! "
In one continuous and devilishly sharp movement, Seto straightens back and brings his heel down on Arcana's ribs. A chilling cracking sound follows and a gut wrenching scream erupts from the vermin's throat, filling Death Bay with the horrifying melody. It doesn't phase him. Not one bit.
"You're going to die for your crimes, pirate," he says when the scream finally turns into painful moaning. "The only choice you have is how painfully you go. That was one of your ribs. I suggest you use your memory for all it's worth."
With that, he presses down on the agonizing man's stomach, who cries out in pain again.
"I don't know nothin' 'bout a lass!" he shouts. "But I think there were two lads with 'em! M-Mercy!"
A very light twinge of relief makes his heart throb. So Yugi's disguise hasn't been seen through yet. Smart girl.
"Fourth question; where are they now?"
"I-I don't know…"
His eyes throw daggers at the skinny pirate. "Need another memory jab?"
"Ye don't think the scum that trapped us in here be tellin' us where he be headin', do ye!"
Fair point. He bites his lip impatiently.
"Different question then; where do you pirates spend your tributes?"
Arcana's eyes widen and he opens his mouth but no words come out. Unsurprising. There are many pirate crews in the Caribbean, but the locations for them to spend their stolen goods without suspicious eyes on them aren't that numerous. It's an unspoken agreement to keep them secret. Giving one away to the navy means putting a target on your back not only for the navy but also for other crews.
Only Seto could care less about it. The pirate's silence is more wasted time. This time, he unsheathes his cutlass, and the cold metal slips through Arcana's shoulder like a needle in molten butter. Another scream fills the cave.
"Don't you dare worry about the other filth. They'll get what's coming to them soon enough. The only one you should focus on is me. I will break every bone in your body and tear you limb from limb if that's what it takes. Talk!"
Tears, panting and groans of pain escape Arcana. The smell of piss also comes up his nose. Pathetic. If you chose this life then you must be ready to bear the consequences of it. Pegasus was right yet again. Arcana is nothing but a small timer in the business of the sweet trade.
"Joyelle, Keyland, Beruga, Folls! They be the closest from here! Four days north by ship! Mercy! Mercy!"
All islands with small towns neglected by their assigned governors. The ideal places for any criminal to hide. He has what he wants. Still he twists the blade in the flesh, ripping another scream from the man under him.
"If you lied to me or if you're hiding something, I will come find you again. Only this time, it will be to finish what I've started. Slowly."
The eyes screaming in fear are all the proof he needs to know the threat sank in. Taking his sword back, he wipes the blood from the blade. It's clear Arcana holds no other information. No one would trust that cowardly moron. He takes a deep breath letting unfiltered air fill his lungs. Finally, somewhere to go, A direction to follow. A name to hunt down.
Atem Sennen. I don't care who you are. You're going to pay.
"I have also have a question," says Alister, who hasn't moved from his spot. "How did you get in Death Bay?"
"Cannon fire," replies Seto, putting away his cutlass. "The shots you heard this afternoon were probably the Millennium shooting down the entrance from the outside to hide the wreckage of the Whale."
"Would that not mean that they made the hole to get in first? How did they make an opening discreet enough not to be see from the sea?"
A heavy sigh escapes the young baron. There's still an hour of ride left to get back to town and by then, it will be dawn. But an annoying feeling of being indebted compels him to answer his old comrade's question.
"When I told you I didn't know what the cannon fire was, you said it would be marked down as another ghost incident. Implying there was one before."
"Almost identical. People heard explosions coming from here all the way to town."
"Before or after your last inspection?" he asks.
"After."
Seto looks up at the large rubbles that he assumes are plugging the exit. There's a way to make a discreet opening. Using not cannons, but small hand made powder bags. It requires an unbelievable amount of precision and calculation. Not something an ordinary person can do. It takes skills and a masterful understanding fire power.
"Controlled explosions from the inside," he states. "It's the only thing I can think of."
"But that's incredibly difficult to do!" exclaims the lieutenant in disbelief. "In fact, the only person I ever heard who could do something like that was Alfred T. Taylor."
The inventor of the technic himself. Yes, that name is quite known by the local navy since he worked in the Caribbean. He's mysteriously disappeared within technic. At least, that's what most people are expected to believe.
"If memory serves," continues Alister, frowning at him "he worked for the Kaiba company weapon factories."
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