No Rest For the Wicked [Episode]

It was another beautiful day on the South Blue and the mercantile ship, Gael’s Galley, that Miku had chartered for herself was nearing its first stop on the way to their actual destination. The indigo haired woman cared little for her destination and was simply glad to be traveling. She was on the top deck leaning against the railing, enjoying the ocean breeze as the sailors hustled to and fro behind her. The captain of the vessel was at the helm and was announcing the fact that they would be making landfall slightly after midday at Torino Kingdom to stock up on supplies. It was still morning so they had a few hours before they would arrive.

Miku decided to hop up on the railing and let her legs dangle over the edge as she stared at the endless sea. It was amazing being out here at sea. The air was so pure and the waves were beautiful. She found sailing brought a calm to her that nothing else quite did. Her normally fiery temper was practically non-existent and she felt like she actually belonged at sea. Though she didn’t feel like she belonged anywhere at the same time. Feelings of loneliness had been creeping up on Miku lately and she was slowly realizing she missed the comfort of having friends to experience all these new things with. Back home she had the kids, her ‘brothers and sisters’, to take care of and share everyday with. At sea she had the freedom she always craved but lacked the company to enjoy that freedom.

The thought of joining a crew became more appealing the the young woman with each day. Though she wouldn’t join just any crew. The captain would have to be strong willed enough to truly lead them through any possible adversity. Miku was no leader and she knew this. But she could spot the qualities of one and hopefully she could find such a person in the South Blue. However, until then Miku would simply continue traveling alone. No one to watch her back or to share her adventures with. It was quickly becoming tiring to have to constantly be wary of bounty hunters who may be after her. So far she had only faced them in straight fights but sooner or later one would get smart and catch her off guard. A visible look of weariness was on Miku’s face as she stared out at sea. She had chosen this life. Now she had to deal with all the consequences that came with it.

“Land, ho!” The Rascal turned her head to look towards the now visible island in the distance. It was hard to make out but she coulda swore she could see a giant structure sticking out of the middle of that island. It was definitely not a hill or mountain. It was too… cylindrical in shape. As the ship got closer her eyes widened in shock as she began to make out thick trunks that twirled around each other to form a giant tree in the center of that island. Miku was amazed at the sheer size of that tree as it was easily the largest tree she had ever seen. As she finally got enough of gazing at the gigantic tree she decided to stretch her legs in preparation for disembarking onto land.

The short woman spun on the railing and hopped onto her feet. She noticed a new person on deck. It was a rather cute woman who was just a little taller than her. She seemed to also be staring in awe at the island they were soon to arrive at. Being on ships full of men quickly grew old and Miku wasn’t about to let the chance to finally spend time with another woman slip away. Especially one who may be traveling alone like herself.

Miku made her way beside the woman and crossed her arms as she stared at the fast approaching island. “Never seen one that large before. Have you?” She asked casually as the ocean’s winds carried them closer to the island.

However, the two women had no way to know of the danger awaiting Miku on that island. A small group of bounty hunters had managed to catch word of someone matching the Rowdy Rascal’s description boarding a slow mercantile vessel that had a stop planned at Torino Kingdom. With this knowledge the small group decided to board a quicker smaller vessel that would allow them to easily reach the island before their mark and lay a trap for her. As the two women began what was hopefully a delightful conversation the group of bounty hunters were warning locals and getting permission to set up an ambush for the Rowdy Rascal in the center of town. Now all they had to do was wait for their prey to walk right into their trap.

Miku had a smirk on her face as the cute woman seemed startled by her sudden appearance. The shorter woman hadn’t meant to sneak up on her but what’s done was done. Maybe this would teach the woman to pay a little more attention to her surroundings. It was dangerous to not be aware of one’s surrounding on a ship full of men as a lone woman. Though most men tended to steer clear of her once she revealed her Pirate’s Knuckles and shot them a quick glare. There was a slightly awkward silence as the woman recovered her composure, Miku waited patiently and simply kept staring at the island while watching her from the corner of her eye. Her stuttered reply and was quite adorable and Miku had a genuine smile on her face by the time Howai properly introduced herself. Miku took the offered hand and gave a firm hand shake as she would anyone else who offered her one.

“Miku Etsuko Sato.” Was all she said as the two shaked hands in greeting. When they finally ended their handshake, Miku folded her arms once again and looked at Howai. “It’s so nice to finally meet another woman brave enough to travel the seas.” The ship had begun to pull into the dock at this point as the wind had been in their favor, expediting their arrival to the island greatly. Once docked Miku observed the harbour they had pulled into.. She saw a lone building that looked like a tavern and knew where she was spending her time while the mercantile ship traded goods and shored up on supplies. “Say, what do you say to swapping some stories over a few drinks. I’m sure if you’re half as adventurous as I am that you must have some amazing tales to share about your travels at sea!” Miku turned fully to Howai in hopes that the woman would accept her offer of drinks. “Of course the first round will be on me. And if you tell a good enough tale then I might cover another.” She added with a bold wink at Howai.

Little to either woman’s knowledge the tavern was the ambush stage set for the Rowdy Rascal. It was known that she frequented taverns as most of her conflicts involved alcohol, marines, and plenty of property destruction. The staff were all replaced with bounty hunters in disguise. There were a few more further in the island just in case the Rascal decided to skip a visit to the tavern but if she did show one of the disguised staff was to run into town to gather the rest of the bounty hunters. Behind the bar would be a rather dainty looking woman who had two loaded pistols hidden under the counter, at the surrounding tables were several men of varying builds that also had concealed weaponry of all sorts. Although this was simply one of two ambush stages set up for the Rascal it was the one they expected to spring on her.

Miku was disappointed when Howai admitted to no liking alcohol. Sure the short woman was a lightweight but she simply enjoyed the feeling of a good drink too much to stop herself from indulging. It had gotten her into plenty of trouble and would probably continue to do so. Though she was immensely glad that her new friend would be happy to swap some stories with her. As the two women walked off the the ship onto the docks Miku didn’t notice how quiet the harbor was. She was too engrossed in listening to Howai’s story and looking forward to a cold drink after traveling at sea for a few days.

When the two women entered the bar they were met with a room full of stares. Miku laughed out loud at Howai’s whisper and wasn’t afraid of offending anyone around them. “I know, it’s like these guys haven’t seen two women walk into a bar before.” A grin was on her face as she met the stares of a few of the men. Huh, these weren’t the stares of regulars eyeing the strangers who just walked in. It was stares of recognition and possible hostility. Miku didn’t like it and shot back glares at those who dared assume she was a troublemaker. She was, but she hadn’t seen any posters of herself on the way here and wasn’t well known enough for the common person to know about yet.

As the two women made their way over to a corner table, Miku shouted out an order for an ale for herself and an orange juice for Hawai. Once situated in their seats Miku began to listen intently to Hawai again. She began to turn in her seat when she heard someone approaching from behind, once she saw the man with their drinks an expectant smile appeared on her face. Though once he was close enough he put their drinks down he pulled a knife on Miku. The Rascal immediately raised her forearms and tossed herself onto the floor away from the man. Though the expected feeling of her sleeves being sliced and the blade scraping across her vambraces never came as her back hit the floor. When Miku looked up she saw two arms sprouting from the man’s shoulder which seemed to have dislocated shoulders.

Miku simply looked over at Howai’s calm look as she berated the waiter. This girl just went from cute and interesting to very impressive in the span of seconds. Miku stood up and equipped her Pirate’s Knuckles as she noticed that everyone in the room was staring their way as if expecting them to make the first move. Looking at the waiter and then at all the ‘patrons’ she realized this must have been a trap set for herself. It was too smart for Marines so that meant bounty hunters. Miku shot a quick look over at Howai and suddenly felt guilty for dragging her into this. “Howai, they aren’t here for you. They want the bounty on my head, guess I forgot to mention but I may by a pirate. This isn't your fight.” Though as she said this all the bounty hunters threw off their disguise and drew their weapons, quickly advancing on Miku who also charged ahead to meet them head on. "Come and earn my bounty you bastards!" She shouted as she charged to meet the four before they could reach Howai.

Of the four that were pretending to be patrons, one drew a katana, one drew a bo staff, and the other two pulled out cutlasses during their charge. The woman behind the bar drew two pistols from underneath the bar and had each one pointed at a different woman. This woman had heard Miku’s words and felt a pang of sympathy for the other woman who didn’t know she was traveling with a pirate. “Oi, you with the green hair. That woman is a dangerous pirate with a bounty for associating with a known Supernova. If you just walk out of here and remove your, arms?, from my friend there, we will let you go.” Though as she shouted this the battle would soon begin leaving Howai a few seconds to truly decide on what to do.

At this point Miku wasn’t paying attention to the word’s being exchanged between the woman behind the counter and Howai. Instead she was focused on the four men who were quickly closing in on her. She met them halfway and slugged the one wielding the Katana right across the jaw sending him sprawling into a table, though he wasn’t down for the count just yet. Before he could return the other three took turns attacking Miku. The two with cutlasses slashed at her but she managed to deflect their slashes with her vambraces. This however left her open to the fourth man who had a bo staff that he jabbed her in the abdomen with sending her flying back onto the floor. Miku quickly rolled backward and got back on her feet, refusing to take her eyes off of her opponents. She noticed that the woman behind the bar was suddenly taken down and looked over to see another pair of arms had grown out from the bar and had taken her out.

Miku shot Howai a quick glance and nodded her thanks as she offered her more aid. The Rascal actually laughed out loud as her green haired friend pointed out that their drinks wouldn’t need to be paid for. "Jump in whenever you get bored, Howai!" Knowing that Howai had her back if she really needed it Miku felt pumped up and once again rushed at the four men. The Katana man who she had already hit once yelled at his partners that she was his as he wanted to pay her back. The two met at the same spot and Miku was easily able to dodge under the man’s wide sweep with his katana. He was obviously strong but not very skilled with his weapon and was no real swordsman. Miku decided to take him out real quick with an uppercut. It wasn’t her Glass Chin uppercut as this weakling didn’t really require it. The man was sent flying back and landed in front of his three friends who looked at his unconscious body before looking back at Miku with angry glares. The woman simply cocked her hip to the side, placed on hand on it, and with the other motioned for them to come at her.

The two cutlass wielders rushed her again and the third man followed behind closely. It seemed they were attempting the same tactic that worked on Miku last time but she wasn’t stupid. Miku once again deflected the two cutlass swipes but quick rolled forward, dodging the bo staff from striking her and upon exiting the roll executed her Dirty Straight right at bo staff man’s throat. It hit true and the man instantly dropped his bo staff and reached for his throat as he lost the ability to breath momentarily. He started to panic and took a step forward on his own bo staff, he ended up rolling backwards on it and smacked the back of his head on a table knocking him out. Miku didn’t think it would be that simple to take that guy out but didn’t want to complain about luck being on her side. The two last men were now extremely pissed off at the fact that their advantage of numbers was now gone.

Unknown to the two women, there had been another bounty hunter who had immediately run out of the bar when the fighting began. He was no coward but his role was to be the messenger in case the women never went into town. In town the two leaders of the bounty hunters were waiting and were much stronger than the other bounty hunters. He was nearly in town at this point was was very eager to sick his bosses on those two troublemaking women.

Technique's Used:

Technique Cooldown: