The Great Age of Piracy [One Piece]

[Sinsystems]

With skill honed from hunting Vincent's clawed hands pulled him up onto the rooftop where his prey lay, now behind some shrubs taking cover from someone returning fire from the street below. Better yet he could tell that the Sniper was getting angry, it was subtle but the Hunter's eyes could tell the slight changes in the Sniper's body language that indicated heightened emotions.

Slowly he crept closer to his prey one of the blades of mercy in his hand and a 3 throwing knives in the other, both glistening with paralytic poison. He needed to be as close as possible if he wanted to finish this quickly...he just needed an opportunity.

Laurent drew five more arrows from their quiver. Now to get rid of that annoying gunner.

Click to shrink...

An opportunity that made itself present as the Sniper fired his fifth arrow and began the motion of retrieving more. Sensing the opportunity Vincent abandoned stealth all together and became a flurry of motion. In a single fluid movement he let fly his knives, they flew out like a fan making them harder to dodge but more importantly boxing his foe in for a crucial moment.

The moment the Hunter needed to lung across the distance between them to slice into his prey.

 

[Camellia]

An opportunity that made itself present as the Sniper fired his fifth arrow and began the motion of retrieving more. Sensing the opportunity Vincent abandoned stealth all together and became a flurry of motion. In a single fluid movement he let fly his knives, they flew out like a fan making them harder to dodge but more importantly boxing his foe in for a crucial moment.

The moment the Hunter needed to lung across the distance between them to slice into his prey.

Click to shrink...

Laurent's eyes widened, honestly caught off guard but training took over as they aborted their grab for more arrows, reaching into their jacket instead.

In their left hand, the bow spun, catching and deflecting the thrown daggers before being dropped as Laurent got up, raising a dagger in its place. A flick of the wrist dropped another dagger into their left hand as the Mad Hunter came in.

 

[Yuki no Yue]

Laurent didn't care.

Marines don't fear death, they fear failure. And if you don't understand that, you will never be worth anything.

The Orphan used a chain weapon of some sort. If it was skilled enough to deflect arrows using it...

It was better to waste a bit and bring in heads than it was to be frugal and stand before a superior empty handed. Laurent drew their bow.

An arrow through the leg would limit mobility a great deal.

Fire.

Arrows through both legs would be even better.

Fire.

Shoulder wounds would restrain them from swinging that chain around. Laurent was willing to bet that such a weapon required excellent reflexes and range of mobility.

Fire.

Fire.

Laurent drew five more arrows from their quiver. Now to get rid of that annoying gunner.

Click to shrink...

You know what happen when you are the target of a smiper, one will be more focused on what is around him and, mainly, over what is happening on the roof.

Now, seeing that the arrow came from that way, it hit me in this place, the sniper should be... trying to transform me into a pincushion, obviously.

My right arm shooted up, my chain unraveling from his place around my arms in a flurry of movement and becoming a twister around me, spinning in a spiralling, hypnotizing pattern, entrancing the view of everyone around me and, mainly, acting as a shield against arrows.

Four arrows shattered against the metal of my chains, shard of woods hitting my clothes, but the metal heads were bounced away.

Even before I finished defending, i was already jumping away, my chain trailing behid me in a metal ribbon, moving towards the open part of the plaza, in a circle.

Slowly approaching the podium, making it looking like I was dodging the Lieutenant Commander.

 

[Sinsystems]

Laurent's eyes widened, honestly caught off guard but training took over as they aborted their grab for more arrows, reaching into their jacket instead.

In their left hand, the bow spun, catching and deflecting the thrown daggers before being dropped as Laurent got up, raising a dagger in its place. A flick of the wrist dropped another dagger into their left hand as the Mad Hunter came in.

Click to shrink...

'Good Instincts' Vincent thought as he lunged at the Sniper, the Blades of Mercy glistening with poison that promised defeat from even a single cut. He came in low and he came in fast, almost crawling on the ground like a beast (The fact that his garb made him look like some sort of monster straight out of hell when doing this was just an added benefit).

When he struck the Hunter brought his blades up in a vertical blur that would force his opponent to either block or suffer a cut from his groin to his shoulder. Of course the hunter didn't stop there as he followed up with a vicious kick to his foe's left knee with the full intent to cripple his opponent's footwork.

 

[Camellia]

'Good Instincts' Vincent thought as he lunged at the Sniper, the Blades of Mercy glistening with poison that promised defeat from even a single cut. He came in low and he came in fast, almost crawling on the ground like a beast (The fact that his garb made him look like some sort of monster straight out of hell when doing this was just an added benefit).

When he struck the Hunter brought his blades up in a vertical blur that would force his opponent to either block or suffer a cut from his groin to his shoulder. Of course the hunter didn't stop there as he followed up with a vicious kick to his foe's left knee with the full intent to cripple his opponent's footwork.

Click to shrink...

There was no winning this. Mad Hunter had a reputation for poisoning his blades, a cut and Laurent would be down for the rest of the fight.

They'd have to abandon their position. Laurent leapt back and over the railing, bleeding some momentum by kicking off the awning, before landing with a crouch on the square.

Laurent itched to throw a knife at Hunter, but they knew that it wasn't a good idea. It'd catch on his cloak if he didn't deflect it first. It wasn't worth losing a knife.

Skipping back, Laurent chanced a glance behind them at the Orphan.

Even before O fonoshed defending, i was already jumping away, my chain trailing behid me in a metal ribbon, moving towards the open part of the plaza, in a circle.

Slowly approaching the podium, making it looking like I was dodging the Lieutenant Commander.

Click to shrink...

The trailing chain made their fingers itch for their bow, the links an easy target to pin to the ground. In lieu of that however, Laurent threw their right blade at the child's back before turning back to the Mad Hunter dropping a new dagger into their hand.

 

[Sinsystems]

There was no winning this. Mad Hunter had a reputation for poisoning his blades, a cut and Laurent would be down for the rest of the fight.

They'd have to abandon their position. Laurent leapt back and over the railing, bleeding some momentum by kicking off the awning, before landing with a crouch on the square.

Laurent itched to throw a knife at Hunter, but they knew that it wasn't a good idea. It'd catch on his cloak if he didn't deflect it first. It wasn't worth losing a knife.

Skipping back, Laurent chanced a glance behind them at the Orphan.

Click to shrink...

Beneath his mask Vincent smiled, the Sniper was pretty good. He'd been able to recognize that he could not win against the Hunter and instead had chosen to retreat toward his allies. For that Vincent respected his foe and would reward him in kind, he had accomplished his goal of neutralizing the sniper's ranged abilities and now there was no further point in stay around.

The trailing chain made their fingers itch for their bow, the links an easy target to pin to the ground. In lieu of that however, Laurent threw their right blade at the child's back before turning back to the Mad Hunter dropping a new dagger into their hand.

Click to shrink...

Sparring just a moment to nod at his foe the Hunter retreated out of sight, taking just enough time to grab the Sniper's discarded bow, before retreating away from the battle. Like the Sniper before him, only on the other side of the building, he jumped off the roof to the street below using a roll to disperse him impact.

From there is was a simple matter of moving into the backstreets and alleyways, him Hunter's mind watching for the inevitable pursuit.

 

[LuteStrings]

@Yuki no Yue @The LD Man

"Hey, shorty!" Via called out, firing another flasher round into a crowd of Marines to stun them, "Shouldn't we be bailing right now? I mean, y'know, lotta Marines, and that archer's gonna take off more than a chunk of my ear sooner or later! What about you, richy?"

 

[Camellia]

Sparring just a moment to nod at his foe the Hunter retreated out of sight, taking just enough time to grab the Sniper's discarded bow, before retreating away from the battle. Like the Sniper before him, only on the other side of the building, he jumped off the roof to the street below using a roll to disperse him impact.

Click to shrink...

He'd taken their bow. Laurent had worked hard on that bow! Weeks of work, gone in an instant, lost to a man who probably didn't even know to appreciate Laurent's bow properly.

They'd have to make a new one. Thousands of beli down the drain finding new woods and hours of practice wasted on the carving and finishing and binding necessary for the crafting of a new bow.

Gale would have laughed at them if he knew. Or worse, he'd smirk behind Father's back as Laurent was punished and Mother would see and frown but not be disappointed because there was nothing to dissapoint.

@Yuki no Yue @The LD Man

"Hey, shorty!" Via called out, firing another flasher round into a crowd of Marines to stun them, "Shouldn't we be bailing right now? I mean, y'know, lotta Marines, and that archer's gonna take off more than a chunk of my ear sooner or later! What about you, richy?"

Click to shrink...

Laurent was not going to come out of this with nothing to show for it. With only a loss to show for it.

They'd be at a disadvantage mid range with the Orphan and Victor, and they appeared skilled enough to keep things close range. Besides, the gunner was taking down to most Marines, and it'd be better if that were stopped.


Decision made, they moved forward, long legs quickly eating up ground.

 

[Gally]

Grand Rock
The First Island of the Grand Line
​

"Uwaaaaaaa!!!"

All across Grand Rock's central square marines fell, like wheat to the harvest. The chain of Orphan, the Spear of Victor, the revolver of Via, were weapons too powerful for the members of the Navy's rank and file, and blood soaked the cobblestone ground as the pirates fought through the chaos.

"Lieutenant Commander!" One of the marines shouted, white knuckles gripping the handle of his sword. "They're too much! We can't stand against them!"

"Of course you can't!" Brock roared, resting his nodachi on his shoulder as he studied the the three pirates. "You recruits have been training in the Four Blues until now, testing your mettle against the pirates that prowl those peaceful waters...but this is this the Blues no longer! This is the Grand Line!" He removes his cigarette from his mouth and tosses it down the street, ash trailing from it as it tumbles across the ground. "This is a different level of piracy...a level these men and women already understand. Marines! Fall back! I will not have untested children throwing their lives away for no purpose."

At these words the marines retreat - all save Ensign Laurent, who takes advantage of the opening to charge Via Treace.

Her attack draws a wild smile to Brock's usually impassive face. "Excellent!" He shouts. "Witness the will of Justice, pirates!" He leapt high into the air, sunlight shining off the blade of his sword in a beam of light so strong it was almost audible - and then he began to fall towards Orphan and Victor. "Meteor's Strike!"

​

 

[KnightDisciple]

Loguetown, East Blue

Loguetown
East Blue​

The Lieutenant's meditation is interrupted by a young girl in standard marine uniform, who snaps a quick salute before speaking. "Lieutenant! My name is Seaman Apprentice Hart - I was on lookout duty with Warrant Officer Jun Yi. There are ships on the horizon, sir - ships sailing the black flag. Your presence at the observatory is requested at once!"

Click to shrink...

The Marines weren't the only ones to notice the ships.

On the roof of a modest inn that was a good distance up the hillsides of Loguetown, a man stood with one leg up on the raised "railing" of the rooftop, resting an elbow on said raised leg as he used his other hand to shield his eyes from the sun's rays. His brown eyes narrowed at the sight of the black sails.

"That doesn't seem like a friendly shore leave visit..."

With that, he turned and walked back into the inn, headed for his room. He had a couple things to grab, and he had a gut feeling it was better to pack and pay than try running back here after whatever this is finished going down.

 

[Yuki no Yue]

The trailing chain made their fingers itch for their bow, the links an easy target to pin to the ground. In lieu of that however, Laurent threw their right blade at the child's back before turning back to the Mad Hunter dropping a new dagger into their hand.

Click to shrink...

The dagger flew straight and true, hitting one of the links of the chain, making it veer off its course for a moment. The I reacted, whipping the chain up and behind me, sending the dagger flying towards a marine, uncaring if it would wound or not him.

Then I retreated my chain, it spiralling around my arm and hid beneath my clothes.

My smile was still fixed, my face still innocent.

My eyes still purple.

Akuma wasn't done playing.

"Excellent!" He shouts. "Witness the will of Justice, pirates!" He leapt high into the air, sunlight shining off the blade of his sword in a beam of light so strong it was almost audible - and then he began to fall towards Orphan and Victor. "Meteor's Strike!"

Click to shrink...

"Telegraphated much?"

I ran from where I was, moving with my frightening speed, slipping between the air, and in a mere second I was on the podium, behind the Pirate Captain on it.

"Mmhhh... Shackles. But nothing too conplicated, luckily."

I started working with a couple of lockpicks I had on myself, one eye still watching what was happening.

Wouldn't do to lose sight of that wall of muscles that was trying to impale me.

 

[Sucal]

Grand Rock

"What a drag"

Sighing to himself as he watched the commotion, Leo briefly considered hiding behind a cloud and waiting until things became less frantic. After all wasn't his fault he was lait with the supply run, it was clearly a pirate plot. Reclining back on his couch with a relaxed sigh, he decided it was best to attempt at least some effort.

Raising his hand with a sigh at the effort, he focused on one particular pirate, who had stolen a bow. It wasn't the most grievous of offences but it was directed against a fellow marine. Albeit a much more active one. Clicking his fingers, he launched a pair of shield discs towards the target.

"Fuwa Fuwa Kneecap"

 

[Blackout]

Grand Rock

"What a drag"

Sighing to himself as he watched the commotion, Leo briefly considered hiding behind a cloud and waiting until things became less frantic. After all wasn't his fault he was lait with the supply run, it was clearly a pirate plot. Reclining back on his couch with a relaxed sigh, he decided it was best to attempt at least some effort.

Raising his hand with a sigh at the effort, he focused on one particular pirate, who had stolen a bow. It wasn't the most grievous of offences but it was directed against a fellow marine. Albeit a much more active one. Clicking his fingers, he launched a pair of shield discs towards the target.

"Fuwa Fuwa Kneecap"

Click to shrink...

As the discs approached the Pirate, an ornately engraved double-ended axe came spinning from the left, crashing into them before arcing back to the waiting hand of it's thrower, massive black-haired man wearing a thick fur cloak and red markings on his face.

@Sinsystems

Skarf dropped down from his rooftop vantage point, joining the Hunter in the streets.

"You appear to have attracted some fans: do attempt to stay alive long enough to reach the ship at least. It would be unfortunate for this venture to crash and burn already."

 

[Sinsystems]

Raising his hand with a sigh at the effort, he focused on one particular pirate, who had stolen a bow. It wasn't the most grievous of offences but it was directed against a fellow marine. Albeit a much more active one. Clicking his fingers, he launched a pair of shield discs towards the target.

"Fuwa Fuwa Kneecap"

Click to shrink...

Vincent heard the incoming projectiles coming more than anything, it was pretty hard to miss the sound of a shield flying through the air after all, but he didn't move to dodge or deflect the flying weapons as he had an even greater beast on his side.

As the discs approached the Pirate, an ornately engraved double-ended axe came spinning from the left, crashing into them before arcing back to the waiting hand of it's thrower, massive black-haired man wearing a thick fur cloak and red markings on his face.

@Sinsystems

Skarf dropped down from his rooftop vantage point, joining the Hunter in the streets.

"You appear to have attracted some fans: do attempt to stay alive long enough to reach the ship at least. It would be unfortunate for this venture to crash and burn already."

Click to shrink...

A low chuckle escaped the Hunter's mouth "Oh I don't plan on dying anytime soon, I did what I wanted to do. For now we need to escape before more marines arrive, we should be able to lose our pursuer in the back alleys...that is unless you have other plans."

 

[Ψυχή]

Loguetown
East Blue​

The Lieutenant's meditation is interrupted by a young girl in standard marine uniform, who snaps a quick salute before speaking. "Lieutenant! My name is Seaman Apprentice Hart - I was on lookout duty with Warrant Officer Jun Yi. There are ships on the horizon, sir - ships sailing the black flag. Your presence at the observatory is requested at once!"

Click to shrink...

"Never a dull moment," the Lieutenant chuckled with an extended breath before turning to the Seaman Apprentice. "No need to introduce yourself though, Demona Hart — I've heard good things about you. One moment."

Taking in air quickly with the diaphragm the Marine spun around quickly and a red blur shot out with incredible speed towards the lower rungs of the platform. With a muted clang the shot hit its mark, sending the object into the air and back down into the man's waiting hands — a large sheathed blade with a cross-guard and simple pommel. Placing the weapon at the back his waist he turned back to his fellow officer and offered a nod as as he started off to the observatory with the Seaman Apprentice in tow. "Any recognizable insignias on our approaching guests, Hart-Nitōhei?"

 

[Sucal]

As the discs approached the Pirate, an ornately engraved double-ended axe came spinning from the left, crashing into them before arcing back to the waiting hand of it's thrower, massive black-haired man wearing a thick fur cloak and red markings on his face.
."

Click to shrink...

Vincent heard the incoming projectiles coming more than anything, it was pretty hard to miss the sound of a shield flying through the air after all, but he didn't move to dodge or deflect the flying weapons as he had an even greater beast on his side.."

Click to shrink...

"Oh bother. There is two of them"

Raising a one fingered salute in response to the one that scratched his shields, they coincidently rose at the same time, moving to smash the axe wielder from both sides. The bow thief on the other hand got a much different present. Half a dozen dropped ball bearings guided to smash through his limbs.

"Just give up and surrender your stolen property already. "

 

[LuteStrings]

Laurent was not going to come out of this with nothing to show for it. With only a loss to show for it.

They'd be at a disadvantage mid range with the Orphan and Victor, and they appeared skilled enough to keep things close range. Besides, the gunner was taking down to most Marines, and it'd be better if that were stopped.


Decision made, they moved forward, long legs quickly eating up ground.

Click to shrink...

Via yelped as she saw the charging Marine, firing a Geller round right in front of his foot, creating a patch of what was effectively super glue. She then turned tail and ran off, heading towards the docks.

 

[Camellia]

"Of course you can't!" Brock roared, resting his nodachi on his shoulder as he studied the the three pirates. "You recruits have been training in the Four Blues until now, testing your mettle against the pirates that prowl those peaceful waters...but this is this the Blues no longer! This is the Grand Line!" He removes his cigarette from his mouth and tosses it down the street, ash trailing from it as it tumbles across the ground. "This is a different level of piracy...a level these men and women already understand. Marines! Fall back! I will not have untested children throwing their lives away for no purpose."

At these words the marines retreat - all save Ensign Laurent, who takes advantage of the opening to charge Via Treace.

Her attack draws a wild smile to Brock's usually impassive face. "Excellent!" He shouts. "Witness the will of Justice, pirates!" He leapt high into the air, sunlight shining off the blade of his sword in a beam of light so strong it was almost audible - and then he began to fall towards Orphan and Victor. "Meteor's Strike!"

Click to shrink...

Ah, the Lieutenant Commander was a good superior officer. Laurent's smiled stretched across their face as they tried to contain a shudder of please at the praise. They did not really care all that much for Justice, they didn't really understand it actually, which was a failing point, but having their efforts being acknowledged was...nice.

The stolen bow was still a sore spot, but it helped to soothe the insult a bit.

Via yelped as she saw the charging Marine, firing a Geller round right in front of his foot, creating a patch of what was effectively super glue. She then turned tail and ran off, heading towards the docks.

Click to shrink...

Laurent was undeterred, jumping with a flip over the trap and gave chase.

Should they give an order to block the gunner off, no, the others had already been given the order to fall back, they'd be on their own with the gunner.

 

[Insufficient Dakka]

Vincent watched the chaos unfold from his hiding place at the edge of the plaza, it seemed that a bunch of other newbies had decided to engage the Lieutenant Commander. In the Hunter's opinion it was a foolish move as it was only a matter of time before reinforcements arrive to turn this into a lose/lose situation for the other pirates.

@Insufficient Dakka
He on the other hand had something else in mind, "Captain meet me back at the ship, I'm going to deal with that sniper."

Dashing off he kept to the shadows as he circled around to the restaurant the Sniper was perched on and using the claws of his gauntlets started to clamber up the side of the building as silently as possible.

Click to shrink...

"Wait, we should f-" And already it was too late, Vincent had run off. Damn that man, always ready to rush off and fight like this. Eric took a moment to take in what was going on around him. Plenty of fighting between the marines and pirates that hid in the crowd, including that Lieutenant Commander. The kind of reputation he'd get if he took on such a high ranking part of the Navy and lived? If he won? That'd definitely be worth it, if it wasn't a death sentence thanks to that giant blade. Then again, Eric thought, pulling out his fillet knife, if I can keep the edge from touching me, he's harmless. Eric drove the knife into the bottom of his right boot, letting the flat of the blade lay parallel to his sole. This way, when he kicked the marine's weapon, the edge itself would hit the metal knife before his foot, essentially making it a blunt hit. Sure, the knife would be ruined afterwards, but he could always get another.

Now it was time to actually attack. Not to just run blindly in, though. He'd need to sell it, go out of his way to look like an idiot. Even if he actually landed a blow on the man, it wouldn't do much. He'd need to counter one of his sword swings, and send the force of it right back at the marine. It'd be easiest if the marine thought he were just an idiot villager or some no-name pirate, which wouldn't be very hard to pull off in these clothes. First he let out a battle cry, announcing he was there to everyone in the crowd, before bum rushing the Lieutenant Commander. Hopefully he'd just swing at what he didn't think was a threat, and he'd counter head on with a kick. Or he'd throw a punch, and Eric'd power through it. Either way, be it sword, fist, or boot, Eric made to counter Brook's attack as he closed the distance.

 

[GneFenG]

Ryu was observing

At first, he went here to see and listen the lieutenant commander talk about his justice and all that, but then someone asked a question and then everything started to spiral into a maelstrom of chaos.

Hiding in the shadow of a building, Ryu was watching the pirates fight with the lieutenant commander and te ensign and decided that he would enter the fray soon.

Now he only has to wait until one of the two marines make an mistake.

 

[LuteStrings]

Laurent was undeterred, jumping with a flip over the trap and gave chase.

Should they give an order to block the gunner off, no, the others had already been given the order to fall back, they'd be on their own with the gunner.

Click to shrink...

Via fired another two shots behind her, both Bouncer rounds, before firing one off to her side as she skidded around a corner. The bulled fired to the side bounced off of a barrel and was flung straight at the side of Laurent's leg, as Via launched herself up a crate and onto a windowsill, clambouring up the side of the building onto the roof, before running off towards the shipyard. She turned back to the square and yelled.

"OFF TO STEAL A SHIP, ANYONE WANNA COME WITH ME?"

 

[GneFenG]

Via fired another two shots behind her, both Bouncer rounds, before firing one off to her side as she skidded around a corner. The bulled fired to the side bounced off of a barrel and was flung straight into the side of Laurent's leg, as Via launched herself up a crate and onto a windowsill, clambouring up the side of the building onto the roof, before running off towards the shipyard. She turned back to the square and yelled.

"OFF TO STEAL A SHIP, ANYONE WANNA COME WITH ME?"

Click to shrink...

Now!

Ryu was already running the moment he saw the barrel connect with the ensign's leg and with his blunt sword went for a strike in the head that would leave him(?) unconscious.

"SOUNDS INTERESTING, I'M IN!" He yelled while thrusting his blunt sword.

 

[Gally]

Loguetown
East Blue​

The Marines weren't the only ones to notice the ships.

On the roof of a modest inn that was a good distance up the hillsides of Loguetown, a man stood with one leg up on the raised "railing" of the rooftop, resting an elbow on said raised leg as he used his other hand to shield his eyes from the sun's rays. His brown eyes narrowed at the sight of the black sails.

"That doesn't seem like a friendly shore leave visit..."

With that, he turned and walked back into the inn, headed for his room. He had a couple things to grab, and he had a gut feeling it was better to pack and pay than try running back here after whatever this is finished going down.

Click to shrink...

​

"Never a dull moment," the Lieutenant chuckled with an extended breath before turning to the Seaman Apprentice. "No need to introduce yourself though, Demona Hart — I've heard good things about you. One moment."

Taking in air quickly with the diaphragm the Marine spun around quickly and a red blur shot out with incredible speed towards the lower rungs of the platform. With a muted clang the shot hit its mark, sending the object into the air and back down into the man's waiting hands — a large sheathed blade with a cross-guard and simple pommel. Placing the weapon at the back his waist he turned back to his fellow officer and offered a nod as as he started off to the observatory with the Seaman Apprentice in tow. "Any recognizable insignias on our approaching guests, Hart-Nitōhei?"

Click to shrink...

"~The Lieutenant knows my name~" the Seaman Apprentice says, putting her hands on her cheeks and spinning in obvious glee. This continues for a moment before she realizes the Lieutenant is still watching her. "Oh! Um, no, sir," she says, quickly snapping back to attention. "That's the unusual thing. The Jolly Rogers the ships are flying don't match to any known by Marine command. Either we're dealing with a completely new crew, or something more mysterious is afoot."

By the time Hart and the Lieutenant reach the docks, they're surprised to see a sizable number of marines and civilians gathered around a small, fast looking sloop. A trio of burly laborers are moving large numbers of crates off the sloop.

Standing at the head of the crowd is a short, portly man in a smart white suit. He notices the Lieutenant approaching and extends his hand to shake.

"Ah, this must be the famed Lieutenant of Loguetown!" The man says, beaming. "My name is Alward Choco! I believe I'm responsible for a bit of a misunderstanding here!" He gestures to several ships parked just outside cannon range, all bearing black flags with a generic Jolly Roger. "You see, sir Lieutenant, I am humble merchant on a journey to the West Blue. My fleet, such as it is, has been harassed by an usual number of pirates recently, and so I began thinking up ways to protect myself. I figured that while pirates might be drawn to fat, juicy merchant vessels, they would be much more hesitant to attack rival pirates, and so I have my men fly Jolly Rogers! Usually we ditch the flags when approaching civilized islands such as yours, but we sighted several pirate vessels not far from here and thought it would be best to keep the flags high." He lets out a cheery, booming laugh. "I imagine we must've given you quite the fright!"

Choco snaps his fingers, and one of the burly laborers pries off the lid of one of the crates to reveal that it's filled with round, brightly colored candies. "I thought it might be best to offer you and your troops these candies, as a token of my embarrassment! Consider it a peace offering between friends!"

 

[Camellia]

Via fired another two shots behind her, both Bouncer rounds, before firing one off to her side as she skidded around a corner. The bulled fired to the side bounced off of a barrel and was flung straight at the side of Laurent's leg, as Via launched herself up a crate and onto a windowsill, clambouring up the side of the building onto the roof, before running off towards the shipyard. She turned back to the square and yelled.

"OFF TO STEAL A SHIP, ANYONE WANNA COME WITH ME?"

Click to shrink...

As soon as Laurent heard the crack of the gun, they dropped forward into a roll, letting two of the bullets pass harmlessly above them with the third bullet digging into their side but it didn't pass through their jacket.

Laurent rolled to their feet, ignoring the throbbing in their side that promised a nasty brusing, ready to keep running.

Well there is a opportunity.

Ryu was already running the moment he saw the barrel connect with the ensign's leg and with his blunt sword went for a strike in the head that would leave him(?) unconscious.

"SOUNDS INTERESTING, I'M IN!" He yelled while thrusting his blunt sword.

Click to shrink...

Only to stop when they heard more than saw a second pirate coming at them with a sword.

When they come in for a thrust, lift the dagger in your primary hand to push the blade off to the side and lean forward, in your second hand your dagger should go up like so, the rib cage does not protect the chest cavity in its entirety Laurent stop squirming your brother does a much better job holding still in our demonstrations.

Laurent does not go up and in like they should, but they knee their assailant in the chest, leaving him winded or not they did not know but shoving the man away, to run after the gunner, she was getting away.

 

[GneFenG]

Laurent does not go up and in like they should, but they knee their assailant in the chest, leaving him winded or not they did not know but shoving the man away, to keep running.

Click to shrink...

'Well, that could have gone better' Ryu though as he quickly stand up. It was good that his reflexes saved him from taking the hit by blocking it.

"Not bad, you have a name?" He ask as he sheath the blunt sword and unsheath kurohime before put his hand near his sheath and discreetly takes one of his bomb.