Devil's Luck Pirates

I can't believe I got stuck with keeping watch on this weird kid. He approached Captain Valve shortly before setting off from Krendor asking for a ride to Tarako and in exchange, he would take care of the soldiers and marines in the prison. Assuring us they wouldn't be a problem. Everyone on the crew doubted how a scrawny kid could do such a thing.

Everyone, except Valve.

He was shouting orders back and forth that day. We could hear the excitement and anticipation in his voice. It was normal for him to be excited before going on a raid, and to also go completely wild when going on the attack. That's how he got his epithet: "Loose Canon"

But this time, it was different. This seemed to be our grand parting shot from the South Blue in preparation to go to the Grand Line, and he kept saying something about how his kid would've to live up to him in the future. Some insane ramblings we're all used to by now.

Then this weird kid just wonders in our hideout asking for a ride as if were some kind of merchant group. We all expected the Captain to put some sense into this brat, but he just took one look at him and let him come with us. As if it wasn't bad enough to leave without one of our ships, now we're stuck with this guy as well.

As Frederickson kept on complaining to himself, a barrage of cannonballs hit the side of the ship, throwing him to the floor. He stood up and looked out the small window of the storage compartment. Three Navy battleships approached them with their cannons preparing for another volley.

-Shit! It's the Marines… – He said, cursing through his teeth.

The kid, whose been completely silent this entire voyage, let out an exasperated sigh. A black tendril slid out of his short sleeve as if it were always there, wrapping around Frederickson in a flash. He tried to resist in a panic, but the thing was way stronger than him.

-Now, this is the plan… – He said. His voice sounded more like a menacing whisper – I'm your friend Steve. When the Marines come boarding the ship, you're gonna tell them we got captured by these pirates to be sold as slaves and that we need to go the Tarako Kingdom

-W-what the hell you're t-talking about?! – Frederickson asked with difficulty as the tendril squeezed his body.

-If you win, we continue the trip as if nothing happened. But if the Marines beat you, I'm gonna need a new ride. – The man could now feel the tentacle crushing his bones – Besides, this arrangement works for the both of us, doesn't it?

A sinister grin formed on Steve's face. The same grin that he now presents to William and his crew.

-There's no need to be scared. – He says – I'm not here to hurt any of you. I just need a little help.

-W-well, you're certainly hurting me right now. – William manages to say as he feels the tentacle wrapped around him slowly breaking his wrist.

To everyone's surprise, the tentacles let go of them, but not completely. They are now just squirming around them as a clear reminder to not try anything funny.

William takes a moment to regain his composure – Thanks… AHEM, so… Steve. You said you had some business in Tarako.

-Correct.

-Mind sharing it with us? Because we also have some business there, but it's not the same business the Steam Pipe Pirates have there, so…

-Sigh… I might as well explain it since you clearly don't know who I am. – Steve says rather frustrated – I'm an assassin. I have a target on the Tarako Kingdom's prison who needs to be dead by the end of the month. And if I don't get to him first… – His tone starts to escalate. However, he takes a deep breath and goes back to his calm and collected manner of speech – The point is, I need to get to that prison.

-We also need to get into that prison. – Pearl chimes in. It would be extremely unlucky if the guy they need to rescue, Pearl's brother, is the same guy Steve needs to kill.

Steve turns his head slightly towards her. Only one eye is visible through his hair.

-That's none of my business. But I just need to get to the island. After that, you all will only be a nuisance to me.

William is starting to lose his patience with this guy. Although, he rather not have an assassin right behind him when infiltrating a prison.

-Sigh, fuck it. You can come with us. – He says. The more time they waste with this weirdo, to closer Valve is to raiding the Kingdom – We'll take you to the island, and then we go our separate ways.

Steve's grin just got even wider – Well, that's fantastic!