Devil's Luck Pirates

-Now, what were your names again? – William asks with a sigh while sitting in front of the only two survivors. He takes out his flintlock and rests it on the table between them.

-Ahem… Frederickson and Steve. – The man named Frederickson responds as his eyes rest on William's gun. Duros and Ragnar brought them aboard from the Steam Pipe Pirates' ship right before it sank completely. Meanwhile, William and Verona investigated the Navy vessel, coming out with only a few ammo supplies, a wanted poster of Eustass Valve with a bounty of 40.000.000 Bellys, and a surprisingly unscathed Marine official coat; which William obviously took.

-Right. Now, let's begin with why you two were on that ship. – William continues.

-W-well, Valve's pirates captured us in order to sell us to the Tarako Kingdom. – Frederickson recounts. He told the same thing to Duros once they rescued them. However, this doesn't add up with the notion that Valve and his crew are intending to raid the Kingdom – O-or at least that's what we thought they were going to do… – Frederickson adds after noticing William's suspicion.

Something that also doesn't make sense is the fact that in this entire naval conflict, they were the only two survivors. Not only that, they were completely unharmed.

-No other captives survived? – William asks – I'm sure Valve wouldn't take only two people to sell.

-N-no, they also took other people from our town. But once the Marines attacked, the pirates started using us as hostages. Killing all the rest…

William looks at Duros who's in the room with him. He also isn't buying any of this. Especially after Frederickson didn't shed a single tear after recanting how his family was murdered.

-You know what… – William says while leaning back on the chair – I trust you guys.

Frederickson let out a huge sigh of relief. Steve remains immobile as if he's sleeping – Thank you so much! I-I don't know how we could repay you!

-Nah, don't worry about that for now. – William reassures the man while he takes his gun and holsters it, without taking his hand off it.

-If I may ask, where are you heading?

-A little kingdom by the name of Tarako. We got some business there… – As soon as William mentioned where they were headed, Steve lifts his head slightly.

William was about to say something when two black tendrils shoot from inside Steve's clothes, wrapping around him and Duros.

-What the hell?! – William takes out his gun and shoots, but the tendril swiftly wraps around his arm and body, making him drop the gun.

A big and sinister grin form's on Steve's previously deadpan face – I'm finally done with your annoying voice… – His voice is low, almost like a whisper.

A black tentacle also wraps around Frederickson. He squirms and whimpers, begging Steve to spare his life since he helped him get this far. The tentacle reaches his neck, and with a quick SNAP, Frederickson's body goes limp.

-Why did you kill him?! – Duros exclaims, visibly angered – Wasn't he your friend?!

-He was only a means to an end. – The tentacle retracts into his clothes, dropping his ex-partner to the floor.

After hearing the shot, Pearl and Ragnar burst into the room.

-We heard a shot. Is everything– A tentacle wraps around Pearl while in mid-sentence. And another wraps around Ragnar quickly after.

-Now – Steve says leaning forward and resting his arms on the table – I also have some business at Tarako. So why don't we reach an agreement, Captain William?