NOVEL NEXT Chapter 21: Consequences
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"Listen carefully, Luffy. The man before us is a notorious pirate from the East Blue. The newspaper reports that he's slain all the Marines, pirates, and many villagers of the Conomi Islands."
Koby relayed to Luffy, who grew angrier with each word. Meanwhile, Nami and Nojiko's smiles vanished, replaced by icy expressions; they loathed the boy maligning their cherished Hector.
Hector paid no heed to the information being shared and remained still. Recognizing Carina, originally Nami's friend, he surmised one of them must be the new navigator. Deciding to disrupt the narrative, he allowed Koby's ramblings to continue—why not?
Once Koby concluded, Luffy, now more vigilant and concerned Hector might harm his friends, couldn't suppress his curiosity and inquired,
"You! Do you want to be the King of Pirates?"
Upon hearing Luffy's question, everyone stood still except for Nami and Nojiko, who glared at Koby with murderous intent. Klahadore's lips quivered; he yearned to ridicule Luffy but restrained himself to keep his schemes hidden. From the window, Kaya observed the scene, her face ashen.
To everyone's astonishment, Hector casually retorted.
"Nope."
Luffy, caught off guard, exclaimed.
"Huh? Nope? People usually make a big fuss or laugh. What's your story?"
Unperturbed, Hector expounded.
"Being the King of Pirates... it's rather dull, don't you think? It's fraught with responsibilities. After all, a King must govern and make choices."
Luffy, who seldom pondered the weight of being in command, cocked his head, puzzled.
"What responsibilities? I just want to be the freest person on the seas!"
Hector, slightly amused, elaborated.
"Well, there are 'Emperors of the sea' out there. Emperors are akin to kings, yet grander. They harbor larger ambitions, face greater risks. Doesn't your dream seem... somewhat limited?"
Luffy was startled by this new perspective, blinked, and inquired.
"Small? What do you mean?"
Hector, with a sly grin, responded.
"Let's talk about the Warlords of the Seas. They're even mightier than kings and pirates. Take Mihawk, for instance, the world's greatest swordsman and Shanks' rival. You've heard of Shanks, right? Now, pursuing that dream is something, isn't it?"
Luffy's eyes gleamed with ambition as Hector's voice took on a teasing note.
"But perhaps you're too feeble to be a Warlord. Maybe your grandpa Garp never mentioned it, preferring the safer dream of you becoming the King of the Pirates."
The idea of being too weak sparked a defiant blaze in Luffy's eyes.
"What? Too weak? I'll prove you wrong! I'll become the mightiest Warlord of the sea!"
Zoro, Koby, and Carina were astounded, their Captain, the would-be King of the Pirates, seemed ready to abandon his dream for the ease of the burdens of leadership. Hector, unimpressed by Luffy's declaration, challenged.
"Well, kid, if you mean it, show your strength. Defeat other pirates, prove you're the strongest."
Luffy, enraged, clenched his fists.
"Fine! I'll conquer every pirate I encounter!"
Hector, ever indifferent, added.
"Defeat enough pirates, make a reputation, and They'll bestow the title upon you. It's that simple."
"YOU'LL SEE! I WILL DEFEAT ALL THE OTHER PIRATES!"
At that moment, Zoro doubted his commitment to follow Luffy, who so quickly abandoned his lifelong dream. Koby remained loyal, unwavering in his support.
Carina, however, sensed the sinking ship. She had joined for the freedom to plunder at will, not to serve under a government as a Warlord's crewmember, a role she'd never accept. Yet, she hesitated to leave to work for a psychopath.
'Perhaps Nami can assist me. She seems alright—just a bit murderous towards Koby. I'm beginning to suspect that the government is using its state-controlled newspaper to spread lies. Gasp! Oh no, what shall we do?'
'Now that I think about it, it does make more sense that the government is concealing the truth.'
Having had enough of their chatter, Klahadore interjected.
"Would you filthy pirates kindly depart? You are trespassing! You cannot simply intrude on the mansion grounds like this!"
While everyone was taken aback by Klahadore, sudden laughter snapped them out of their daze. They looked towards Hector.
"HAhahahahahaha!!!"
Hector started laughing boisterously, catching everyone off guard.
"What an amusing butler! My apologies, but I can't contain myself any longer. HAhahahahahaha!"
"Has he lost his mind?"
Carina, feeling uneasy, remarked. She was displeased with the dark-haired butler's treatment of them, and the pirate's maniacal laughter unnerved her.
"What do you find so amusing, pirate filth? Leave now and never return with your kind, or we will summon the Marines."
Klahadore stated sternly, disapproving of the mockery from the young man.
"Hahahahaha. It's laughable, you're so oblivious, not even recognizing who Whitebeard is. My Pops may be a pirate, but he's one of the four Emperors of the sea, which is far superior to being a butler in an East Blue village."
Hector grinned menacingly at him, while Merry and Kaya were still reeling from the unfolding events.
"Regardless, your opinion is of no consequence to me, I am a pirate, after all. But since you dared to insult me and my crew members here."
Hector gestured towards the blushing Nami and Nojiko.
"Brace yourself for the repercussions, BUTLER!"
With a malevolent smile, Hector spoke, then vanished from his spot, leaving the trunk and suitcase on the ground. Caught off guard, the black-haired butler suddenly experienced a sharp, intense sensation on his cheek as a powerful backslap was delivered, causing him to recoil like a ragdoll.
Boom!
His body soared like a missile, slamming into the tree where Usopp often spun tales for Kaya. The entire Straw Hat crew wore expressions of shock at the abrupt turn of events. They had merely intended to invite Usopp to join their ranks, but what unfolded next took them by surprise.
A butler emerged out of nowhere, hurling insults at them. This was promptly followed by Hector the Black, who emerged and delivered a backhand to the insolent man, sending him crashing into a tree without a moment to react.
Hector pivoted to where the butler had fallen and strode toward the havoc wrought by his hand. Despite the cacophony of destruction, everyone remained rooted to the spot, stunned by the swift sequence of events.
Advancing toward the debris, Hector's face was etched with a smug grin. Amidst the rubble lay Klahadore, his attire in tatters, spectacles shattered, hair in disarray, spitting blood as he struggled to draw breath on the ground. His eyes, seething with animosity, tracked Hector's approach.
"What's the matter? Shocked? You recognize me from the newspapers, don't you? Did you really think I'd let your insults to me and my crew go unpunished?"
Hector inquired, his tone dripping with arrogance as he arched an eyebrow.
"Wait, please don't harm him! Summon the guards! Stop him at once!"
Kaya, snapping out of her daze, pleaded frantically as she watched Hector advance on Klahadore with palpable dread.
"Young lady, your innocence is touching. Did you honestly believe I would overlook his slander against my crew?"
He mocked her, deliberately concealing the man's true identity, preferring to toy with his prey. This was particularly true after the man had dared to display such audacity toward him and his belongings.
Disregarding her pleas, Hector vanished once more before Kaya, Klahadore, or anyone else could muster a response.
"Hmm? Ahhh!"
Caught off guard, Klahadore was on the receiving end of a kick from Hector, which sent him tumbling further, his cries of agony piercing the air.
"What's wrong? Is this the best you can do?"
Hector jeered, materializing beside him in midair, ready to deliver another blow. With a kick directly to his face, his nose was broken being rocketed to the ground by the blow.
Boom!
His body landed on the mansion grounds.
"You filthy pirate, you'll pay for... Hng?!"
Klahadore said in the midst of the wreckage while his face was like a bloody pulp. But before he finished his threat, Hector appeared before him, grabbing his neck before he could react.
"Would you like to see this?"
Hector smiled sadistically and, with his hand on Kuro's neck, began running and dragging his head along the lawn, rubbing his face as he destroyed everything in his path with his head. Everyone watched in horror, the Straw Hats crew was tense. Carina and Koby were the most frightened.
"What's wrong? Is that all you've got?"
Hector taunted as he raised a swollen face by the neck. It no longer resembled the butler from moments ago.
"Ahrg...Ahrg..."
That face couldn't even speak anymore; it was the complete opposite of what it was moments ago.
"Hmm? Let me help you fix this."
RACE: Human■■■■■■
NAME: Hector Barbossa■■■■■■
Level: 25
Health Points: 5,800
Mana Points: 4,320
Stamina Points: 2,900
Attunement: 216
Vitality: 145
Endurance: 145
Strength: 145
Dexterity: 250
Perception: 145
Skill: 145
Safe Rewards From Daily Quest:
+Stat Points: 0
+Skill Points: 0
Skill Tree:
+Haki:
-Observation Haki: A Rank
-Armament Haki: A Rank
-Conquers Haki: S+ Rank
+Rokushiki
-Moon Step: A- Rank
-Iron Body: A Rank
-Tempest Kick: A+ Rank
-Shave: A+ Rank
-Finger Pistol: A Rank
-Kami-e: A- Rank