Kapitel 20: Menace's Hold
Jack rode the Bead Rider, his calm blue eyes focused on the small island ahead. The island, known as Menace's Hold, was notorious for being a pirate haven in the West Blue. It was under the control of the strongest pirate crew in the region, the Iron Serpent Pirates, led by Captain Steelstrike, with a bounty of 76 million on his head. His vice-captain, the formidable Viper Fist, wielded a unique fighting style utilizing both martial arts and snake-like movements. Captain Steelstrike possessed a paramecia devil fruit that allowed him to manipulate and control metal, making him a fearsome opponent.
As the Bead Rider reached the shore, Jack waved his hand, causing the boat to be stored in the pocket space of the Bead. His eyes scanned the bustling harbor, filled with pirates of various affiliations and intentions. The air was thick with tension, as alliances and rivalries coexisted in this lawless place.
Jack strode forward, his calm demeanor and unwavering gaze causing the pirates to give him a wide berth. He was not here to make friends, nor to fraternize with the pirate scum that infested the island. His objective was clear: to gather information about Grand Line and find a map.
As he walked through the streets of Menace's Hold, Jack could feel the eyes of the pirates following him. He knew that they were sizing him up, trying to determine if he was a threat or a potential ally. Some of the more brazen pirates even approached him, offering their services or seeking to recruit him into their ranks. Jack simply ignored them, his gaze never wavering from his intended destination: the island's most notorious tavern, the Serpent's Den.
Upon entering the Serpent's Den, the noise and chaos of the pirate haven seemed to intensify. Pirates of all shapes and sizes filled the room, drinking, fighting, and shouting over one another.
Jack settled into a dark corner of the Serpent's Den, his calm blue eyes scanning the room as he listened to the conversations unfolding around him. He was searching for any information about the Iron Serpent Pirates, their powers, numbers, and most importantly, the location of a map to the Grand Line. The atmosphere in the tavern was electric, as the pirates reveled in their freedom from the constraints of law and order.
Over time, Jack began to piece together a picture of the Iron Serpent Pirates from the snippets of conversation he overheard. Captain Steelstrike and Viper Fist were the main powerhouses of the crew, with several other skilled fighters serving under them. Their numbers were not as large as some of the other pirate crews in the West Blue, but they made up for it with their fearsome reputation and the loyalty of their members.
As the evening wore on, Jack's attention was drawn to a group of pirates seated at a nearby table, discussing a recent raid on a Marine vessel. Amidst the raucous laughter and boasting, he caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a map, crudely drawn but detailed enough to be of interest. It seemed to show a route through the dangerous waters of the Grand Line.
Realizing that this might be his best chance to secure a map, Jack's eyes narrowed, and his mind began to formulate a plan. He would attempt to steal the map discreetly, but if that failed, he was prepared to fight his way through the pirates and take it by force. It was time for the West Blue to understand that the greatest Pirate Hunter of the sea was ready to claim his throne.
As the pirates continued their loud and boisterous conversation, Jack seized his opportunity. He approached the table, attempting to blend in with the crowd and remain unnoticed. The pirates were so absorbed in their tales of victory and plunder that they failed to notice the cold, calculating presence of the Pirate Hunter in their midst.
However, as Jack reached for the map, one of the pirates turned and caught sight of his outstretched hand. The pirate's eyes widened in alarm, and he immediately raised the alarm. "Oi! Who the hell are you?!"
In an instant, the mood in the tavern shifted. The pirates around the table surged to their feet, weapons drawn, and the room fell silent. Jack knew that subtlety was no longer an option – it was time to send a message.
With a swift, fluid motion, Jack disarmed the nearest pirate, his calm blue eyes betraying no emotion. He moved like a storm, each strike calculated and precise, taking down one pirate after another. The tavern erupted into chaos as the pirates tried to defend themselves, but they were no match for the Pirate Hunter's skill and determination.
As he fought, Jack's eyes never strayed from his goal. The map was still on the table, now stained with the blood of the pirates who had sought to protect it. With a final, powerful kick, Jack sent the last of his opponents crashing into the wall, and the room fell silent once more.
Jack's eyes scanned the crowd, daring anyone else to challenge him. The pirates stared back, a mixture of fear and respect in their eyes. With a smirk, Jack grabbed the map from the table and strode towards the exit.
As Jack was about to exit the Serpent's Den, alarms rang out across the island, and pirates started to fill the streets. One of the reasons why Menace's Hold was a haven for pirates was due to their unity whenever they were there. Outside, they could kill and rob each other, but as soon as they anchored, they would stand together. That was the only way to deal with the Marines, and that was why for two decades, the island still stood strong.
Jack just smiled, as he looked at the pirates filling the street. Only the weak had arrived. The strong people still waited. So he would only use regular punches or maybe the first level. There was no need to use the second level.
As Jack stepped outside, a burly pirate with a scar across his face sneered at him. "Oi! You think you can just waltz in here, steal our map, and walk away? You've got another thing coming, mate!"
Jack's calm blue eyes locked onto the pirate, betraying no emotion. "You're welcome to try and take it back," he replied, his voice cold and detached.
The pirate bellowed with rage and charged at Jack, his fists raised. Jack sidestepped the clumsy attack and, with a flick of his wrist, sent the pirate crashing into a nearby barrel with a Thunderous Blow. The pirate groaned in pain, dazed from the impact.
A group of pirates, emboldened by their comrade's attack, charged at Jack from all sides. Unfazed, Jack executed a Thunderous Combo, his fists connecting with each pirate in rapid succession. Their bodies fell to the ground, momentarily stunned by the power of Jack's blows.
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