Chapter Three: The Best Tactic
Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or any of its characters.
South Blue Sea, Peatee Island, Barranum Town, 10:46 P.M
After gorging myself at the restaurant earlier, the waiter pointed me to where I could get a bit of rest. All thanks to Kaina's money.
Now I'm sitting on one of the bleachers the carnies set up. It wasn't hard to find the show since it would be in the huge green tent. The seats went all around the center circle with two openings. One for the audience and the other leading backstage.
The tent itself was being held up by two massive posts, that had a third running between them. A trapeze was attached to the center and the two on the sides had a ladder and platform on them.
The place was packed full of people. Seems that most of the town appreciated a free show. That was more than a little concerning. Most of the town will be unpopulated with this many people here.
Before I can think on it any more though, a huge man ran to the center of the ring. "Welcome ladies and gentlemen of Barranum Town. You are about to witness an incredible show that will amaze, astonish, and even abhor you at times. So please welcome, The Gladly Brother's Circus!" The man had a huge curled black mustache, his muscular body was covered in a tight maroon shirt with a huge collar, his black pants were held up by suspenders that alternated between black and white triangles, and he wore a top hat the same color of his shirt with a band around with the same pattern of his suspenders.
When he finished his announcement all of the performers ran out into the ring. The performers varied wildly. From the three woman wearing powder blue peacock outfits that climbed up to the trapeze and began their high flying act and the slim man that carried a whip and stool as he lead a full grown male lion out to the center stage.
I recognized Kaina immediately when she came out. She was wearing a deep purple corset with a poofy white shirt with ruffles, and black legging with a purple and white skirt. She also had purple tear drops under her eyes. Her hair fell down past her shoulder in waves under a swashbuckler hat.
She hasn't stopped juggling five knives since she came out with the largest grin I had seen on her face. And she clearly put on the best show of the night.
Juggling any from five to fifteen items, with items ranging from knives to fruit and many things in between. One of the strong men lifted Kaina into the air and then balanced her on the top of her head in the palm of his hand. She never stopped juggling her seven knives, apple, and flaming torch.
Still balanced upside down in the man's huge hand a few stagehands wheeled out a large wheel with consecutive circles and faced it towards Kaina. A smiling blind folded woman in a sequin dress was strapped by her limbs spread eagle on the center of the target.
Remaining in her position and never ceasing her juggling, Kaina began to hurl her knives into the target at great speeds. The knives shot into the target fifty feet away from her, shockingly close to the woman but never touching her.
When all of the knives had been stuck in the target she also let the torch fly. I thought it was a mistake at first, much like the rest of the audience, as the flaming log was sailing right at the woman.
But before the flames could burn the woman Kaina threw the apple at even greater speed she had demonstrated before. The apple struck the torch and sent them in opposite direction. The projectiles split the wheel.
The apple was caught in the snapping jaws of the lion, and the torch was caught by a young man in a green vest and baggy blue pants. He suddenly spewed a liquid into the flames and shot out a huge blast of flame.
With the routine complete the strongman tossed her into the air. She twisted her body and landed on her feet back in his hand. She put her left hand on her hat and held her other out to her side, and she then bent her knees in a theatrical bow. Looking back up at us in with a bright smile.
The lion tamer moved to the center of the stage and gather the attention of the rest of the crowd, but I saw the ringmaster and Kaina slip backstage.
I got the feeling this was what I was worried about, so I slipped out of the tent and into the cool night air. I walked around the tent until I found the extension that I knew would be the backstage area.
I lifted a section of the thick canvas and peeked inside. I saw many crates, racks of clothes, and props but no people so I slid my way inside. Keeping as much to the shadows as I could.
I snuck my way through the maze of boxes while looking for any sign of the carnies. And I succeeded when I spotted a group of people in a small cleared out area.
I crouched behind a crate and slowly moved closer in order to eavesdrop. From my position I could see the ringmaster, Kaina, Tom & Cardriff, and a new man that didn't appear out on the stage.
His short black hair was slicked back he wore a half buttoned up shirt with nothing under it and its long sleeves rolled up to his forearms with his legs being clad in simple black pants. Rectangular glasses sat in front of his beady black eyes and a black scorpion was tattooed onto his right forearm. On his back was a spear that had larger than normal curved blade. It wasn't big enough to be called a glaive but appears similar to one.
I was shocked to realize I recognized this newcomer. After eating and resting I still had a few hours before the show, so I first went and retrieved my pistol from the boat, thankfully it didn't float away, and I was able to pull it ashore. Once that was done I found my way to the sheriff's office and told them I was an aspiring bounty hunter and wanted the newest bounty postings.
I was only able to get the postings for the South Blue, but that was more than enough. All bounties have a small amount of information about the criminal, but bounty offices will usually be able to add more details. And while I wasn't able to memorize all of them within the few hours I had managed to start. One of those I had seen just so happened to be the man standing there.
'Killer Scorpion' Conroy
Wanted: Dead or Alive
8,500,000 Berries
The criminal known as 'Killer Scorpion'Conroy is a known thief, scam artist, and killer. Conroy is the confirmed perpetrator of ten murders and is suspected of at least twenty more. He is a skilled combatant with his signature 'Scorpion Stinger' and has been known to attack his opponents from behind. It is known that Conroy served as the Vice-Captain of the Dare Pirates, under Captain Amadeus 'Crusher' Dare. He has a distinguishing black scorpion tattoo on his right forearm. His last known activity was four years ago.
That man was a pirate, and what's more he was a Vice-Captain. Which makes me curious as to where his captain might be.
"Now remember, this goes smooth and no one gets hurt." The commanding and domineering tone the ringmaster takes with Kaina clues me in. I'll have to look through my bounties, but I think I've found Captain Dare.
Surprisingly, Kaina keeps a steely glare on the pirate, "As long as you keep that promise you'll have my power." and she even asserts herself to him. It's clear to me that she has nothing but contempt for this man.
He doesn't seem to care though as he continues "Good. Now Tom and Cardriff, you idiots better remember our insurance. If we aren't back in ten minutes you and the boys hold the crowd up so we can get out of here with the loot.". The men were clearly intimidated as they violently nodded their heads.
With that Kaina reached out and opened another Air Door. This one was much bigger and could comfortably fit them. I knew I wouldn't be able to track them when they stepped through, and I thought about interrupting them.
When I thought it through though I decided against it. Dare had mentioned 'the boys', and I had no clue where they might be. If I wanted to break this up, get the bad guys, and keep people safe I couldn't jump the gun.
Besides, I'm pretty sure I know where they're going. So before they even stepped through the door, I made my way back to where I entered the tent.
'Soru'
I shot back into the town at breakneck speeds. I weave my way through the streets until I reached one of the taller buildings and jumped to the roof, making it a little over halfway up before I began to fall back down.
'Geppo'
My second leap off of thin air got me the rest of the way. And as I make my way to my destination with a combination of Soru and Geppo, I silently thanked my teacher once again.
Even though I was only capable of three of the six powers, my master would say that if a man only knew one they would be a dangerous opponent. Though I personally wouldn't be satisfied until I mastered all of them.
I wasn't as fast as I usually was though. It seems that my body still wasn't fully recovered, and I had to catch my breath every now and then. I was still able to make it in about two minutes.
Near the other side of town I stood on a rooftop with the town's one and only bank in view. And despite my slow speed I was still in time to see Kaina, now wearing a domino mask and cloak like the others, push the wall of bank. The wall swings open as if a door was always there.
From my position I can see that the door leads directly into the vault. I let out a soft sigh upon seeing it. I knew guys like this only had one thing on their minds.
I watched for the next three minutes as the thieves dragged huge sacks of berries out of the vault and threw them into an Air Door that the Fruit user created. As long as this heist went off without any getting hurt then it was better to let them get away for now.
And I was almost tempted to give the men credit for how smooth things went, but I knew that without the circus and Kaina's Fruit they would be two-bit crooks at best. I suspected I already knew what was going on, but I wanted to confirm it.
When the last bag was thrown into the door, they all stepped into the Air Door which closed it behind them. A few moments the door to the vault also shut on its own.
Now all I need to do is talk to Kaina.
I waited outside of the big top for the show to be over. After about an hour the crowd began stream out of the tent, and just like I thought the short juggler trudged out with the rest of the crowd, now back in the outfit she had on when I met her earlier only with her hair in a ponytail.
I quickly jogged up to her. "Kaina hey." When she saw me she contorted her face in what I could tell was mostly forced enthusiasm. "Oh hey." She wasn't able fake it as well as she did this afternoon.
"I saw the show. You were the most impressive by far, I loved it." Her smile seemed a bit less fake when she thanked me. "I was worried when you disappeared for those few minutes though." Her expression immediately soured when I mentioned her absence. And before she could say anything I interrupted "I think it's best if we have a conversation. Maybe in the Peephole?"
After looking afraid for a moment she steels herself and nods before leading me into an alley a few streets down. When we got there she opened her Air Door again and we stepped through.
Inside the Peephole everything felt distorted. All five senses were affected by it and I stumble for a moment as it comes over me, but Kaina is quickly by my side propping me up. "Are you all right? I'm sorry, I should have warned you about how the Peephole shakes you up."
"Don't worry about me. I'm feeling much better than I was earlier. I think we have something to talk about though." After assuring her I was fine I stood up straight, now better acclimated to the strange space, and took on a calm but serious tone. "I thought something was going on since we first spoke. So, when I saw you leave I followed. I snuck into the back area and eavesdropped. I also recognized Conroy. I have his bounty, and when I recognized him I also found the bounty for Dare. I predicted where you would go and watched as you robbed that bank."
I laid it all out without any change in inflection, and as I continued on she only began to cry more and more. I let her compose herself before I continued. "I can tell you wouldn't willing become a thief, so please tell me what's going on so I can help you."
The tears still silently came, and she shook her head. "You can't help. This is all I can do to keep the circus alive." She wiped her tears on her sleeve and took and deep breath before continuing, "I joined the Gladly circus when I was just ten, but I actually ate my Fruit when I was about six. When I found my place in the circus though my power was just a neat trick. That all ended when I was sixteen our ship was attacked by the Dare Pirates." A cold hatred grew in her voice as she keep going.
"We fought. We're a traveling circus so of course we all know how to fight at least a little. But even with me using my Fruit, we were defeated. They even killed 's brother, but the worst came when they captured us." The tears simply couldn't be kept away.
"Dare saw my Fruit and thought about what a great distraction a circus was. So he gave us an ultimatum, either we join his crew and aid in his thefts, or we die." I realized that it wasn't just that she hated the Dare Pirates, but they've forced her to do things that have made her hate herself. I clenched my fist at my side trying to contain my rage.
"I keep telling myself I'm doing what I have to. No one can fight those monsters and if I don't all of my friends will be killed. I know it's wrong, but this is all I can do to keep the Gladly Circus from becoming a memory. All I wanted to do was make people smile, but all I've done for four years is rob them." Her words came out faster and faster and by the end she was frantic and sobbing. I simply reached my hand out and pulled her to me.
I held her head to my chest till her tears dried, I don't know how long it was. With a sniffle she apologized, but it seems like she can't look me in the face anymore. The sight of her defeated and hopeless face decided my course of action for me.
"Can you open the door out please?" She looked up at my stone cold face. She must have thought I was going to abandon her since she nodded solemnly and opened the door. I had different plans though and made it clear when we stepped back out. "Guys like them usually celebrate on their ship right? Where are they docked."
Her face instantly shifted from defeated to shocked and afraid. "What? No you can't fight them you'll be killed. Cardriff hurt you earlier and he's far from the strongest. Please, you can't throw your life away like this." Her panic was blatant, but I could never let this go. Even if she didn't want my help.
I got her attention by taking a step forward and laid my hand on top of her head. "I know your worried for me, but to me it's the same as you saving me. I couldn't still be me if I left you alone." She was instantly quiet, but I continued to push my point. "You said you didn't want the circus to became just a memory, but take it from me, memories are the most important things we have. Our personalities, relationships, and ideals are all a product of them and everything we experience will become one. The feelings we associate with a memory will only change as we continue to gain memories connected to it. If you keep going as you are now, you won't keep the circus you love from turning into a memory, you'll just poison the ones you already have."
She stayed silent for a long time before nodding. "Their ship is docked on the West of the island." Her voice was quiet, and I barely caught what she said next. "Please just don't die."
"I can't die yet." I tilted her head up and flashed her a confident smile. "There are too many people I need to take care of."
West End of Peatee Island, 1 Hour Later
The path leading to the ship was well maintained and it didn't take long to get there.
According to the information Kaina could give me the actual carnies would stay in the tent so only pirates would be on this ship, the crew was twenty-four men strong, and the most dangerous crewmen went from strongest to weakest: the captain, first mate, and Cardriff. Though the gap between those two and Cardriff was quite large.
When we made it near the boat the noise of the party became louder. And when we crested the final hill the sight of a medium sized ship came into sight. Its white sails bore no insignia and its single mast had the sails rolled up.
Most of the crew could be seen on the deck, but a convenient pair just so happened to be drinking at the bottom of the gang plank. And when they noticed our approach they looked at me with smug expressions.
"Well well, look who we have here Cardriff. It's the skeleton who's face we smashed in. Did you come round for another taste?" Tom kept his big mouth running with Cardriff laughing right next to him.
I motioned for Kaina to stay behind as I walk up close to the men. "No, I actually came to kick ass and collect your bounties." I got my desired reaction from their enraged faces.
"Kill him Cardriff." And with even greater speed and power than before, the huge man tried to slam me with his fist.
It came as a shock to all but me when I simply caught the fist with one hand easily. The man tried to pull his hand back, but I held on tight and began to squeeze. There were numerous crunching and popping sounds and Cardriff fell to his knees screaming in pain. "Mmm, I'm glad I managed to recover this much. You guys shouldn't be an issue."
With panic in his eyes Tom pulled out a pistol from his waistband, "You bastard." he aimed the gun at my head and pulled the trigger.
'Soru'
I disappeared from their view. Coming back standing in between the two men, safe from the shot. In an instant I planted both hands on the ground and lifted my legs off the ground. I pivoted my body on my hands and shot both of my feet out in a spilt.
My feet collided hard with both men's jaws at the same time. Both men when sent flying by my kick, and landed dozens of meters away, out cold.
I stood back on my feet and lightly stretched as I began my walk up the ramp.
Author's Notes
Hello, to all. This is the chapter where we finally get to a bit of action. Based on the attack that Hoshi unleashed at the end of the chapter and the 2 out of 3 Rockushiki techniques that he's shown then I'm sure you can guess what his third is. And yes, I do love characters who kick.
Once again I appreciate any OCs, Fruits, or islands that you might want to see in this story.