And the story goes on.
"If it isn't the vampire herself. Many have been looking for you," said a pirate, licking his lips.
"It's me and I know people have been looking for me. I'm also looking for a man," she said calmly and sat down.
"That doesn't matter. Now you'll die and when I bring your head to the marines, they will give me a title as Shichibukai," grinned another pirate.
"So you think you can take my head so easily?" She raised an eyebrow.
"Even if you fought in the war, you came at the ending, where they had fought for a long time and was getting tired. You, however, were not tired and you also had the power of surprise on your side. Therefor you could easily beat them up," said the first pirate.
Lucinda had to give him credit for that. If it was true, then it was good spotted, but none of the admirals had been worn down and even if they had been on their top, she could have beaten them up. It didn't matter. But she could understand why this pirate thought so. It didn't make sense that a single woman like her could beat up the marines, like she did.
"So you think so? So you won't give me the information I want?" she said lazily.
"We can. Have you seen how men there are here? You are on our own against 50 pirates. 50 strong pirates, not caring if you're dead or alive," said the second pirate.
"I can count," she said coolly.
Vista had to give her credit. Lucinda was acting relaxed and cool, but in fact she was well on guard. He gazed at Curiel, seeing his fellow commander smirk at her words. She was playing mind games, her favorite game. Vista shook his head, but couldn't help but smirk himself. Lucinda was way too smart and she loved it.
"Kill her," said the first pirate and soon they attacked.
Lucinda was smooth and even before he had spoken the words, she was up and had kicked down four men. With her agile body and strong kicks, she easily took down a dozen men, without breaking anything. Then she used her Conquers Haki to take down all, but four men. She stood in front of them with a smirk on her face. Not a single table or chair had been broken.
"From 50 down to 4 in mere minutes. I can see you're going to kill me," said Lucinda casually.
"Didn't know you possessed Conquers Haki," growled the pirate.
"Of course not. You only know of me what the marines had told the world. What I can do, how strong I truly are and my abilities was never told," she said.
"Still I will be the one …" more didn't he said, before she punched him in the gut.
"You're annoying," said Lucinda and then she turned to the others.
"Three left. Will any of you tell me what I want to know?" she asked.
"Depends," said one of the men.
"I want information of Blackbeard's whereabouts," she said.
"Why?"
"Because I despite what he did," she answered.
"So you don't work for Whitebeard?"
"I work for myself and have done so for many years. So where is he?" she said calmly, yet her red eyes looked murderous.
However the men didn't intend to tell her. They tried to make a run for it, only to be stopped by Curiel and Vista. Lucinda simply caught the wrist of the man.
"Oh you don't. I'll let you live, if you tell me what I want to know. If not you'll be my first victim. I will enjoy the taste of our blood," she smirked, her fangs closed to his neck.
"Please spare me. Blackbeard sails across the outer Islands on the east side. That's all I know," he whined.
"Now that didn't hurt did it?" she grinned, before knocking him out.
Curiel and Vista let go of the other two. Lucinda went to the counter and placed a bag with money on it.
"I'm sorry for this. Please accept this and never mention the conservation I had with those pirates," she said.
"Of … of course," the barkeeper stammered.
Lucinda smiled and went to the bathroom. There she turned back and went out, playing confused and scared, as she saw the scene there. The barkeeper told that everything was under control, but she simply ran away, playing her part as a scare customer. Having too faces did pay off for her. She ran until she was near the harbor. Then she sat down and thought about the information. Soon she saw Benn and Yasopp, walking towards their ship. Then Namur and Kingdew and at last Curiel and Vista. Then she went to the ship and jumped on. They set sail without a word.
First when they arrived at the next Island, which by the way was uninhabited, they talked. Lucinda had steered them to this Island, knowing it existents, but not many did. It was also difficult to get there. Benn, who were a good navigator, thought it would take him years to learn how to navigate through the seas in this era.
"So did you get what you came for, Lu?" asked Namur.
"I did. But it wasn't that easy," she said.
"They just wouldn't talk before she threatened them to drink their blood," said Vista.
"You did what?" Izo couldn't believe his own ears.
"You're wounded," comment Benn.
The Whitebeard commanders looked at her and first they couldn't see it, which indicate it was not easy to see, but then Izo saw it and gasped. It was on the back of her shoulder and it must be deep, since she hadn't healed yet, even though it had been half a day since she left the strip-bar.
"Lu. Why hasn't it healed yet?" asked Kingdew worried.
"It's deep and I had other things on my mind. And I heal faster in my vampire form," she said, not really concerned.
"It still must have been deep," said Izo.
"It was," she said.
"How and when did you get wounded?" asked Curiel, thinking back.
"One of the pirates is a Devil Fruit user and can split himself into two or more. I didn't know until he used his power. It was the one I knocked out, before threatening them," she said.
"That's one scary Devil's Fruit power to have," said Vista and whistled.
"It is. But I'll survive and it won't leave a scar, when it is healed. Back to the mission. The pirate told me that Blackbeard sails at the outer side on the east side of Grand Line. I can use my network to find out where exactly he is and how his travel has been so long," she said.
"We also has network there. But it does suit him. Hiding and attacking from the back," said Izo.
"We will have him cornered soon. Lu, will you keep in touch with Shanks?" asked Benn.
"Of course. I don't think that we can do this on our own. He might not understand the full potential of his Devil's Fruit powers, but he is dangerous and we can't afford to underestimate him. He fights dirty," said Lucinda.
"That he does. Well, then let's hid back and get working. If we hear anything, we'll also contact you, Lu," said Benn.
"I don't think we should leave now. They tried to follow us," said Yasopp.
"They did and that's why I brought us here," said Lucinda with a smirk.
Benn stood on the rock, gazing over the sea. He could see a small boat circulating around, trying to get into them. He frowned as he saw it was some of the men from the bar. It was those who came out at last. So one of them had wounded Lucinda. Benn didn't like this and gazed back at Lucinda, who now stood behind him.
"Don't worry Benn. They won't come in and they will either give up, or I would beat them up," she said.
"So we wait?" asked Namur.
"Of course. We need to talk things over in peace and here we can do just that," she smiled.
Benn smirked. He should've known better. Lucinda didn't turn her back to a fight, unless something else was important and to disgust their next moves and how to coordinate the attack on Blackbeard was important. Though he didn't understand why Lucinda was so generous and let Shanks have his fun in this one too.
They are getting close to Blackbeard.