Chapter 11
"Hey, everyone—staring's about enough, yeah? It's getting kinda rude. We're not some comedy pirate crew who just take hits without hitting back. Careful, or you'll be picking your teeth up off the floor!"
Jepack took a casual sip of rum and spoke in a calm, almost bored tone.
The tavern fell silent for a moment after his words—then exploded into raucous laughter.
The crowd hurled threats at the trio:
"Little punk! What kinda crazy talk is that?!"
"With just you three brats, I could take you all out by myself!"
"Stinking kids—we're staring now. Do something about it if you dare!"
One hothead couldn't hold back and charged forward. Like dominoes, the rest of the mob surged toward the three.
Jepack released a faint pulse of Conqueror's Haki—half the rabble collapsed unconscious on the spot.
"The rest are yours, Zoro!" Jepack finished his rum in one gulp, wrapped an arm around Guina, and settled in to watch the show.
"No problem. Perfect chance to warm up!" Zoro replied, drawing only one sword.
"One Sword Style – Demon Slash!"
With a single swing, Zoro cut down most of the remaining thugs.
"These last few might actually be worth watching."
Zoro muttered to himself, then charged back in.
"Boring. Not even fun. Boss—here's payment for the drinks. For the damage, take it out of these guys."
Jepack slapped some beri on the counter, pointed at the groaning pile of bodies, and spoke to the stunned bartender.
"Guina, let's go. Time to find our cute little thief cat crewmate!"
He took Guina's hand—still sipping her orange juice—and walked out the door.
Just before stepping fully outside, he remembered something and shouted back: "Zoro—finish up quick! We'll wait for you on the tavern rooftop!"
(Zoro's legendary passive skill: getting lost—activated.)
"Hold on tight!"
Outside, Jepack scooped Guina into his arms.
"Geppo."
He stepped on the air and shot upward.
Moments later, they landed on the tavern roof—right in front of a huge skull flag with a massive red nose painted on it.
The rooftop was chaotic—people running around frantically, searching for something (or someone).
Jepack smirked instantly. Nami, you work fast.
As soon as they touched down, a man with an enormous red nose spotted them.
"You two brats looking to die?! How dare you trespass on my territory!"
Buggy the Clown glared viciously.
"Sorry, big guy—have you seen an orange-haired girl around here?" Jepack teased with mock innocence.
"So you're with her! Hand over our treasure right now!! That's years of my hard-earned loot!"
Buggy looked like he was about to cry.
"No, Captain—that kid's mocking you! He called you… 'big guy'… even though you're still so young!"
Mohji, riding his lion Richie, pointed out.
"You bastard Mohji—are you secretly insulting me?!"
"That brat thinks he's clever, mocking me—but he just made me his 'big guy'!"
Buggy puffed up confidently.
"Hey, Red-Nose Big Guy—your crew didn't do anything to my cute crewmate, right? Mind telling me which way she went?"
Jepack's cheeky voice rang out again.
"Damn it! You little punk! Mohji, Richie—get him!"
Buggy, furious over his stolen treasure and being mocked, roared.
"Yes, Captain Buggy! Richie and I will smash this brat!"
Mohji charged forward on his lion.
The moment he spoke, both man and lion were sent flying. Smoke cleared to reveal Jepack still holding Guina, one leg slightly raised from the kick.
"I'll handle you!"
A whirring sound—Cabaji the Acrobat came rolling in on his unicycle, blades gleaming.
"You? Hold on—your opponent's still downstairs. He'll be up any second. No need to rush!"
Jepack sidestepped the attack effortlessly.
"Talk about perfect timing! You even saved me an opponent—didn't expect that from you, Jepack!"
Zoro arrived on the roof, having finished the grunts below.
"What kinda talk is that? We're best buds, Zoro! I wasn't being lazy!"
Jepack explained with his back turned, gently setting Guina down.
Man, the feel is nice~~
"I'll take the red-nosed clown. Unicycle guy's yours, Zoro. The rest—Guina's."
After all, Guina's dream was to become the world's greatest swordsman. This low-level mob was perfect training.
"Big words, brat! You think you can take me?!"
"Chop-Chop – Flying Knives!"
Buggy's limbs detached and flew toward Jepack.
"One Sword Style – Thirty-Six Troubles Wind!"
Swoosh swoosh swoosh…
Buggy was sliced into countless pieces—only to reassemble instantly.
"Hahaha! I'm immortal! Take this—Buggy Cannonball!"
A cannonball rocketed toward him.
Swoosh—Ten'en bisected it midair; the halves exploded harmlessly behind Jepack.
"Can't kill you, sure—but beating you up? No problem."
Jepack's eyes flickered with Conqueror's Haki as he slowly advanced.
Back and forth, up and down—he pummeled Buggy's face with solid punches.
"Maga-ji Super Special Missile—no—take this, Special Critical Cannonball!"
Terrified, Buggy babbled and hurled a tiny booger-sized bomb.
BOOM!!
Smoke filled the air.
"Cough cough… Guina, you okay? Where's Zoro?"
Jepack waved the smoke away.
"I'm fine. I finished them and stepped aside. Zoro took care of his guy—he was right here a second ago… now he's gone!"
"Cough cough cough!! I'm fine too!"
Zoro's coughing came from a short distance away.
"Who asked you, you self-important jerk!"
Jepack glanced toward the road leading to the coast.
Cabaji was pedaling furiously, carrying Buggy's leg, while Richie the lion ran alongside. Buggy floated in the air using his fruit powers, yelling: "I'll be back!!"
"They run fast when they're scared," Jepack remarked.
"Should we chase them?" Guina asked.
"Nah. Let's restock supplies first. We're running low—can't sail to the next island like this. After that, we need to find Nami. I'm not letting my excellent navigator sneak away!"
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