Bab 7: Chapter 7
Chapter 7
A/N: A large thank you to everyone who answered the call to leave suggestions. Some were good, some were less good, and some were incredibly close to what I already have planned.
But I appreciated every single one nonetheless.
(Though seriously guys. Calm down with the suggestions for Haki. Not only is it too soon, do you really think I'd start a One Piece story without a plan for that in place?)
Yeutton Port, South Blue
I exited the tailor's and straightened my tie with a satisfied smile. 'Much better. The tightness on the sleeves was bothering me.' The Dandyman would rise from his grave if he heard I wasn't doing his outfit justice.
It's been one hectic afternoon as I bounced from place to place getting all my errands done. First I resupplied my [Inventory] with all the food I'd used up on my two week excursion and then made a stop at a general store for some more mundane items. Now that I've finished up fixing my suit there's only one item left on the list.
Time to fix that pesky little oversight.
I entered the humble little storefront and my eyes widened appreciatively as it turned out to be much larger on the inside.
"Welcome to Frederick's Fantastical Firearms!" The clerk behind the counter speaks up with glee. "Famous home of the first-rate, the fiery, and the formidable. What finery are you looking to find today?"
Rows upon rows of rifles and pistols lined the walls, glass display cases were housed in every corner, and a pair of decorative cannons hung from the rafters. At least I assumed they were decorative that is.
I force myself to stop gawking and turn to the employee with a grin. "I'm leaving on a trip in the morning and I'm looking to invest in some personal protection."
"Well you've come to the right place!" The man says with arms spread wide. "Please feel free to browse around and let me know if anything strikes your fancy. There's a practice range out back if you want to test a product out and for this week only, the first three shots are free!"
"I'll keep that in mind..." I softly murmur as I walk down a row of rifles, gently caressing their handles as I pass them by.
I am by no means an expert on guns, as I've said before, they're not my style. But even an amateur like me can tell that the firearms of this world took a different path of evolution then they did back on Earth. Everything here seemed to be some variation of a breechloader, each with their own little quirks and foibles.
Some of the designs I passed by looked to be 'one and done' models who needed new ammo after every shot whereas others had innovations that stored extra ammunition in the handles. All without ever sacrificing the aesthetic of weapons that look like they belong in the 1700's.
I'm not exactly sure how that works out mechanically but once again, I'm not an expert. Especially not of fictional guns.
My foot pauses mid-stride as my peripheral vision catches sight of something decidedly different from the rest of the wares in the shop. My head slowly turns to the bronze-rimmed display case and I can actually feel my eyebrow start to quirk.
'What exactly am I looking at here?'
There were two of them. A pair of bastardized offspring between a modern revolver and a carribean-style flintlock. I didn't think wheel-guns even existed in this setting.
I stare at the weapon and there's something...familiar...about them. Some deep memory that's been long forgotten...wait a minute! Isn't this the gun Mr. 5 uses on 'Little Garden'?
The clerk notices my interest and springs like a predator on the possible sale.
"I can see you have an eye for quality sir!" The salesman compliments with his hands clasped together. "The 'Flintlock .44 Caliber, Six Shot Revolver' is our newest model! It features a six-chambered swing-out cylinder and a rapid-fire trigger. They're a bit on the high-end price wise but you won't find a better pistol in all of South Blue!"
"Sold."
"Of course sir! I'll open the case and get you one right away!"
"No no no. You misunderstand." I say, waving a hand about. "I want both."
The trip to Philridge was wholly uneventful. Caravans traveled to and from the kingdoms capital every day so it was easy enough for Mori and I to hitch a ride in the back of a wagon. Gotta travel incognito for an operation like this after all. Taking an official Marine transport 'opens the possibility of someone noticing' according to Jorgen. 'Not a large possibility, but one that's greater than 0% nonetheless. Masserida could have eyes spread all over the country.'
Personally I felt that the officer was being overly cautious but I'm not about to tell the Marine his business. He's the senior man in charge after all.
Speaking of the lieutenant, the man was about a half-day in front of us, having to go early to meet up with the troops he'd sent ahead a few days prior. It's kind of a shame. I was looking forward to bouncing some questions off him. I've been in this world a year and still know so very little beyond what I learned from the manga story. An officers perspective could've been useful.
This is not to say that the trip was boring without him. I successfully passed the time chatting up some of the other caravan travelers or bullshitting with the Chief. I did use some time to try and do a 'timeline check' but that didn't yield much. Mori said that Sir Crocodile is still one of the seven warlords to the best of his knowledge and boy did that get me an odd look when I asked.
I really should just start reading the newspaper. It'll help me avoid these little social faux pas's in the future.
The capital itself was exactly what you'd expect. Tall buildings, stone paved streets, and thousands of people all in a hurry to get from place to place. Overlooking it all though was a colossal palace in the center of the city constructed of orange brick and white marble. Parapets lined with gold encircled the great structure serving as a barrier to separate the nobility from the common folk.
"Ha! Impressive isn't it?" Mori barked next to me. "That castle has been the head of this country for close to 600 years now. Alot of history has happened in this city."
I hummed in agreement but internally rolled my eyes. 'It's not bad. But I've seen better. If I can recall canon correctly, the royal household in Alabasta is at least three times bigger. Prettier to look at too.'
"Well let's get going then." The Chief says with a hand on my shoulder. "The Lt. Wants to show us the place before the big show tomorrow night."
The two of us find the rendezvous point without much difficulty and are met by Jorgen in undercover civilian clothes waiting outside a dockside warehouse.
"Really?" I ask with a sarcastic chuckle. "A warehouse again? What is it with criminals that they keep choosing these as the place to gather?"
Jorgen met my small laugh with one of his own and shrugged lightly. "You've got me. I don't understand why they don't just host dinner parties like civilized folk. Come on, I'll show where we'll be hiding. I want everything prepared before the sun sets."
It was surprisingly dark on the inside. Nearly every window had been shuttered up by wooden boards or aluminum curtains allowing only a select few rays of light to filter in. Seas of dust flitted around in the sunbeams and I pulled my shirt over my mouth to try and avoid inhaling anything.
"Are you sure we're alright to be here?" I whispered in the dark.
"Don't worry Parker. This isn't my first rodeo." Jorgen reassured. "My subordinates have been watching the site for the past 72 hours. No one's come near this place except for us."
"Where are they now?"
"Hidden under tarps by the south and western exits. Including the door we just came through, that's all three entrances into the building covered. No other way in or out. Relax. We're nearly there."
I nod at the mans words but I just can't shake the subtle feeling of unease.
This whole thing just feels wrong.
A half-dozen spotlights spring to life in the darkness and I'm forced to shield my eyes from the intensity. The soft clicking of rifles being cocked fills the air and I can vaguely discern about 20 silhouettes standing on an upper balcony looking down on us.
'Fuck.'
"Ah. Well it seems our guests have finally arrived." a voice drawls out as a small figure in a pinstripe suit steps to the forefront. "I'm so glad that we could all find time in our busy schedules to come here today." The man speaks as he lights a match for his cigar.
I know I'm supposed to be nervous right now. What with the all the guns pointed in my direction and walking into a trap and everything. But I just can't stop thinking 'Oh look. The mafia boss in the cartoon world is barely over 4 ft tall. How utterly cliché'.
"Lieutenant!" Mori hisses through his teeth in a whisper, doing his best so that it's only heard by us three. "We need to signal your men that its a trap!"
I eyed Jorgen's back intently. Wondering what move he was going to make. He was easily the most experienced of us after all. Do we scatter? Rush forward? Buy for time? What's the play gonna be?
The Marine glanced backward and regarded Mori and I with this...this look.
Oh.
Ohhhhhh.
I really should have seen that one coming.
A morose sigh passes over my lips. "There aren't any Marines outside are there?" I ask somewhat resigned.
Jorgen offers a very small but distinctly unapologetic smile. "No hard feelings Parker. It's just business."
The officer steps out of the spotlight and Mori reaches out in confusion. "Sir! What's going o-" Two warning shots spark near the Chief's feet and his voice dries up instantly.
"Chief Mori." Jorgen starts somewhat wistfully. "To you I will apologize. It was very absentminded of me to tell your bounty hunter friend about this 'operation' while you were still in earshot. The moment you heard about it you became a potential loose end. For that I am sorry. But let this be a lesson. Don't volunteer for assignments in the military. It rarely works out in your favor."
With those parting words the lieutenant leapt into the air, spring boarded off a nearby stack of crates and joined the silhouettes on the upper level.
Had we been in another universe the acrobatic feat may have had me impressed.
"Jorgen! You traitor!" Mori snarls, his voice affronted and still somewhat disbelieving. "How could you betray the Marines for this low-life? This criminal scum? How much are they paying you?"
"Pay him? Nonsense!" The Don speaks up again before taking a long drag on his cigar. "I didn't pay him a thing. He's family. My sister's boy."
"Always happy to help uncle." Jorgen added in, a smirk firmly plastered on his face.
"That does remind me nephew...I have something for you." The Don snapped his fingers towards one of his cronies and the man hurried over with a small chest in his hand. "A congratulations gift on your promotion. Perhaps with this you'll get boosted to Lt. Commander." Masserida chuckled darkly. "A few years down the line you may even make 'Captain' and be placed in charge of a base. Then the family business can really expand."
Jorgen accepted the small chest and popped its lid open, revealing an oversized tangerine decorated with black swirls. "Incredible." The man breathed out. "When you said Wulfric found one I admit I was skeptical." The lieutenant closed the box and tucked it protectively under his arm. "Thank you uncle. You are far too generous."
Their brief conversation ends and all eyes are back on me and the Chief.
"Alright bounty hunter. You've been a rather irritating thorn in my side. Vacotti, the first of my subordinates you captured was an important middleman for some of our suppliers. Without him many of my business relationships have become...strained." The Don spoke somewhat frustratedly. "Then there was Hayward, Buchanan, and Blackjack. Each one had their own value to me. Despite all of that though, I think you'll find I can be a very forgiving man. Turn over all the money you've received for capturing my men -plus 40%- and I'll guarantee you leave today with your life."
"Does it look like I'm carrying that kind of cash on me?" I ask with a deadpan gesture to my outfit.
As my question echoes through the building my eye catches Mori very subtly turning to the left. There's a stack of crates and metal drums not too far away and it'll be the only cover to run for when -not if- the bullets start flying.
Masserida strokes his chin thoughtfully. "If you don't have it on you then you'll show us where you've stashed it. Afterwards, provided you leave this country, you're free to go."
For a moment silence reigns and I have to resist the urge to laugh. "...you don't actually expect me to believe you right?"
The Don smirks. "Worth a shot." Masserida raises his hand and every gun toting flunky takes aim at Mori and I.
"MOVE!" I bellow, giving Mori a push towards the crates.
"Light them up boys!" Masserida gleefully orders, bringing his hand down like the executioners blade.
Bullet Time Skill Active!
-Time is being slowed for you by 3%.
Despite whatever this [Skill] might be named I couldn't actually see any difference. At only a 3% reduction everything still looked to be moving normally. The crack of gunshots filled the air and I knew that despite my speed I was nowhere near lucky enough to dodge them all. I could only hope my VIT and [Physical Endurance] were up to task.
-30 HP!
-33HP!
-120 HP!
-31 HP!
-120 HP!
-122 HP!
-30 HP!
HP Regen Skill Active!
-Current speed: 0.2% max health per minute.
Mori and I reached the stack of crates and immediately dived for cover. The cracking gunfire became mixed with the sound of wood splintering and I knew hiding behind the oversized boxes was only a temporary solution.
My whole body feels like it's been encased in fire. I have seven damage notifications so it's pretty easy to piece together how many times I got hit. Based on the damage numbers I have to assume that four of them only grazed me but at the same time it means three of them didn't.
I take a moment to look at Mori and see that he has gotten off way luckier than I did. As best I can tell he miraculously only managed to get nicked twice and neither wound looks bad all things considered.
The fact that I'm still thinking somewhat clearly is kind of freaking me out. When Thomas Poliver shot me all I could focus on was the burning feeling in my side but now the grazes are pretty tolerable. It's only the three larger wounds that have my attention.
'Even with all the extra health I have, gunshots should be more debilitating' I think as I pull medical wrappings from my [Inventory]. Subtlety be damned, if Mori sees I'll deal with it later. 'Either having more VIT has affected my ability to deal with pain or choosing the [Resilience] [Perk] did a little more for my durability than just doubling a number. I should probably re-read it's description if I make it out of here.'
Then again, maybe I'm just going into shock and my brain's deadening some of the pain. Wait, Is that how shock works? Shit I don't know. I'm not a doctor. I don't even really understand what 'shock' is... I'm just gonna cross my fingers and hope its the secret durability thing.
The symphony of gunfire gets even louder as Mori starts firing back with his own pistol and I jump a little at the sound.
'Right. Introspection later. Gunfight now.' I quickly finish tying off the white bandages over the bullet hole in my leg and fish my own two pistols out.
The [Game] provides a small pop-up as I wield them and a grimace spreads over my face.
Firearms Lv. (2/10)
-Your ability to accurately use pistols, rifles, and portable cannons. Current Accuracy: 21.25%. Accuracy % is equal to [Firearms Level x5 + ¼ INT]
Yes ok. I know. My accuracy is currently trash. Hot garbage. I didn't exactly have time to practice after making my purchase. My sum-total experience with guns was I once spent about three hours of an afternoon shooting at a haystack with one of my buddies back on Kivuruk.
'Oh well. It's gonna have to do.'
Mori stops firing back to reload his pistol and based on his frown he knows he hasn't hit anyone yet. The man is obviously prioritizing staying down over actually aiming. If he risks popping his head out to get a proper shot it may be the last thing he ever does.
"We need a plan!" Mori tries to yell over the deafening racket.
"I've got one but it's not very good!" I scream back.
The Chief flinches as a bullet pierces the box he's behind and misses his fingers by a scarce few millimeters."What is it!"
Quick as a flash I pop my top half out of cover and spring my arms forward. My fingers glide over the special rapid-fire triggers and all 12 shots blaze out towards the crowd on the second floor railing.
+40 Exp!
+45 Exp!
-124 HP!
+40 Exp!
-31 HP!
I fall back behind cover and hiss through my teeth. I took out three of the mooks but it cost me a new hole in my shoulder and a painful graze across the side of my head. 'I'm glad [HP Regen] puts a priority on stopping bleeding.'
"That was a terrible plan!" Mori chastises angrily.
"I KNOW! YOU GOT A BETTER ONE?" I thundered back as I swung open the chamber of one of my revolvers. 'Note to self. Need to obtain speedloaders. One bullet at a time isn't going to cut it.'
The gunfire briefly cuts out and Jorgen's voice sounds throughout the room. "Come on gentlemen, stop being difficult." The man says almost smugly. "Chief I'll make you a deal. If you surrender now I'll see to it that you get a posthumous double promotion up to Warrant Officer. Wouldn't that be nice? Set your wife and baby girl up for life on the governments dime?"
"My nephew makes a generous offer." The Don adds in. "I recommend you take it or that 'death benefit' paperwork may just get lost. Is that what you want? For your lady to be left with no money and no home. She might have to debase herself just to make ends meet."
Mori's face starts to bristle in anger when he spots something and his face lights up dramatically. Confused, I follow his line of sight and realize he's staring at one of the containers we've hidden behind.
Specifically, at the large red print emblazoned on the side.
'HEAVY WEAPONS'
'Oh fuck yeah.'
I smash open the side with a clenched fist and out tumbles eight shining bazooka's and a small ocean of packing straw. They're nothing special, just the same generic model I'd seen so many countless background characters wield but my eyes gleam all the same.
"WHAT NO SPECIAL OFFER FOR ME?" I yell as a distraction. Anything to buy a few seconds as Mori confirms they're loaded.
Another few salvos of gunfire is my only response and I'm forced to press myself low against the ground.
'Well now that's just rude.'
The Chief finishes his inspection and gives me a head nod. "Know how to use one of these?" he whispers.
"Not really. Just point the explodey end at the bad guys right?"
Mori smirked. "Ha! Good enough."
The Don finally answers my inquiry, as though the shooting didn't make his attitude clear. "Sorry bounty hunter. This place will be your grave! You should never have crossed the Masserida Family!"
"Can I have my last words then!" I shout back, hoisting a cannon on each shoulder as I do so. Its a feat the Chief briefly tries to mimic but his strength just isn't high enough to hold more than one.
The hailstorm of bullets briefly stops again and Mori and I waste no time in popping our heads out and bringing our new surprises into view. "FUCK YOUR FAMILY!"
I get the supreme pleasure of hearing some men yelp in panic before the trio of explosions rock the second floor scaffolding sending both bodies and weapons plummeting to the ground. Smoke fills the warehouse and the ear-piercing screeching and wrenching of steel lets me know that the platform the mobsters were standing on has collapsed.
+30 Exp!
+40 Exp!
+40 Exp!
+35 Exp!
+40 Exp!
Skill Lv. Up! Firearms Mastery Lv. (2/10) → (3/10)
-Your ability to accurately use pistols, rifles, and portable cannons. Current Accuracy: 26.25%. Accuracy % is equal to [Firearms Mastery Level x5 + ¼ INT].
I vault myself out of cover and rush into the chaos before people can get their bearings. Unconscious goons are scatted across the floor with various states of burns and injuries. It's possible that I may have just taken my first life but there's no time to dwell on it.
This fight isn't even close to over.
One of the flunkies closest to me starts rising off his knees but an axe kick to the back of his head sends his face back into the floor, probably shattering his nose.
+40 Exp!
Another gets to his feet and takes a quick shot in my direction with his pistol but his delirious state causes the shot to go wide. Before his head can clear in I've already crossed the distance and delivered an upward palm strike to his chin.
+50 Exp!
My peripheral vision catches a duo bringing their rifles up but the Chief appears from left field and makes short work of them with his personal saber.
"Jack! There!" He points out to me with a shout.
I follow the finger and see Lt. Jorgen standing off to the side coughing smoke out of his lungs. The chest he was cradling so protectively is missing for the moment and a nasty head wound is bleeding down into one eye.
The officer reacts to me in the same instant that I to him and he draws his own Marine cutlass with an ugly sneer.
I snatch the one pistol I'd managed to reload a minute ago from its holster and depress the trigger again and again. Doing my best to get a bullet right in his center mass.
I unleash shot after shot but the Marine just weaves his way through the bullets. I can't tell if it's special training he's had or if I'm just that piss-poor of a shot right now but it doesn't change the end result.
On the last round in my gun he swings his cutlass up to actually block the bullet but it has the unintended side-effect of snapping his blade in half right across the middle. The lieutenant seems unconcerned by the loss of his weapon and immediately launches the ruined piece of steel at me, knocking my revolver from my hand.
I met what little distance remained of his charge head on and grab a quick [Observe] of his stats. There's no time to do anything but get a glance in so I hone in on the three most important numbers. He's got 6 points on me in STR, 1,580 health which is more than decent, but my DEX trumps his by 28.
[Adrenalin Rush] Activated!
STR (118 +70%) → (200.6)
The two of us meet and the fists go flying. Neither of us is at 100%. His ears are probably still ringing and the head wound is certainly not doing any favors. I meanwhile have more than a couple bullet sized holes adorning my body. If it weren't for the [Resilience] [Perk] I'd probably be screaming my lungs out or curled up in the fetal position.
After the first few exchanges it's become apparent that Jorgen has definitely had some form of hand-to-hand training. I may have a lot of instinctive fighting ability on my side due to [Unarmed Combat], but his blocks and parry's are far above my own skill level. If I was still at the speed I used to take down Blackjack this man would've absolutely dominated me.
Unfortunately for him, with all the factors in play right now? My naturally better VIT and DEX. His head wound. The edge my [Perks] are providing me.
The man's struggling to keep up.
Jorgen slaps one of my blows away, attempts to counter, but then abandons the notion in favor of dodging my next hit. I don't blame him. With over 200 STR right now It probably feels like getting hit by a sledgehammer.
Alert! [Adrenalin Rush] has expired!
'Well it was good while it lasted.'
Bit by bit coherent strategy soon falls by the wayside as the brawl turns into an absolute slugfest. He's definitely dodged more than I have but the damage is building up on both sides and I'm forced to do a mental 'Clear All' on all of the health notifications the [Game] has been spitting at me.
It all eventually comes to a head though when my fist crashes into his jaw at the same time his hand sinks into my gut.
48 Damage! (517/1,580)
-39 Health! (1,056/2,020)
For the briefest moment the two of us are stunned. Both unable to respond to the direct hit.
But I'm the one who recovers first.
I drop low and sweep my leg out in an arc, taking the lieutenants legs out from under him. My knees spring me upward as he falls and an elbow to his midsection accelerates his meeting with the ground, forcing his mouth to gasp aloud in pain.
50 Damage! (467/1,580)
Jorgen attempts to roll away but my boot to his temple aborts that plan before it can even begin.
72 Damage! (395/1,580)
The traitors eyes roll into the back of his head and his limbs comically twitch showing he is finally down for the count.
"Hang tight for a minute will ya?" I say with slight exertion. "I'm gonna go have a chat with your uncle."
The Don himself is just barely beginning to recover ever since taking a fall from the second floor. I won't be too hard on him. It's a pretty long drop for such a little guy.
He reaches for his personal sidearm on the floor in front of him only for Mori's boot to crunch on his hand, breaking two of Masserida's fingers.
The Chief picks the man up by the collar of his suit and dangles him helplessly in the air. I saunter up to Mori's left side and watch as the midget futilely tries to free himself with his one good hand.
"You think you'll get away with this?" The mob boss blusters. "I have connections that go way higher than the Marines! You'll never-"
"God, can you be any more disappointing?" I ask with contempt. "I can't believe I hyped myself up and imagined you as some big scary gangster. You're just one regurgitated trope after another."
I struck the Don straight in the face sending him off to dreamland. 'Just one hit? Seriously? What a letdown.'
+500 Exp!
You have reached Lv. 28!
You have 10 points to spend!
I silently distribute two points into everything and then turn to the Chief to look at him quizzically.
STR (118) → (120)
VIT (101) → (103)
DEX (101) → (103)
INT (45) → (47)
WIS (43) → (45)
"So what's the protocol now? What do we do from here?"
Mori drops the unconscious gang leader to the ground and sighs dramatically. "Nothing to do but call it in I guess. Ugh. My Captain is going to kill me. I should've been suspicious when the Lieutenant said he'd handle all the paperwork for this trip."
Alert!
Your opponent has eaten a Devil Fruit! 65% of their max health has been restored!
My head snaps down to the KO'd mafia boss in shock. 'What! No he hasn't!'
A loud gulping sound reverberates off the walls of the room and both Mori and I quickly turn our heads to the source. A decidedly not knocked out Jorgen sits on his knees with a empty chest by his feet and a half-eaten tangerine cupped in his hands.
A tangerine covered in unnatural black swirls.
Still from his spot on the floor the lieutenant sends crazed glances between Mori and I.
And he smiles.
Jorgen's whole body ripples violently as his muscles noticeably swell in size. Orange hair sprouts from near-every visible surface and his face develops a pair of wide flabby cheeks. His arms elongate significantly and the lieutenants already damaged shirt shreds to pieces entirely as it fails to contain his now larger mass. The officer slaps his massive palms against the stone floor and roars a challenging shriek at Mori and I.
'Well that might be a problem.'
A/N 2: Geez. I really wanted to finish Ch. 7 + 8 before uploading again but despite a month going by, #8 just isn't ready yet. I'm Active Duty Navy so my writing time is scarce to the extreme.
At least I didn't end one paragraph earlier like originally planned right? Some of you all would've started screaming your heads off about cliffhangers.
Enjoy your week.
-LV.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone