The Blind Brawler [ Roronoa Zoro X OC]

Chapter 95: Introducing the Foxy Pirates

Zoro

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Sanji, Kaori, and I faced the Foxy Pirates' ship with every intention to start beating the hell out of them. Despite their bold declaration for a showdown, none of the crewmembers were coming down to fight. I thumbed Sandai Kitetsu an inch out of its sheath as I scowled, "Well, what are you guys all waiting for? We doing this or what?"

A wave of snickering and sneers crossed their faces as one man called out, "We aren't waiting for anything! The battle's already started. All that's left is for our captains to come back so we can really get this show on the road."

My jaw clenched in frustration at his answer, but Nami seemed more worried, "You said the fight's already started?"

"That's right!" He shouted, "A Davy Back Fight begins as soon as one captain accepts the challenge from the other captain. No take-backs!"

A second man backed him up, "In other words, your captain is fighting our captain whether you like it or not! All you can do is sit back and deal with it!"

I scoffed, getting more pissed off by the second, "I don't get this. If it's a fight, why do I have to sit and wait? Let's do this right here, right now."

The cook let out an annoyed sigh behind me, "You don't know anything, do you? That's not how Davy Back Fight's work."

Kaori tilted her ear back towards him as she frowned, "Not all of us were raised by pirates, Sanji. Instead of insulting Zoro, how about you just explain what the hell is going on?"

He gave her an apologetic nod, but did not apologise for the jab at me, "Of course, Kaori. Despite its name, it's not a real fight. It's more like a sports match between different pirate crews."

"Exactly," Robin agreed, "Supposedly, the game originated in a faraway place called 'Pirate Island'. As the name implies, it's a sort of secret paradise for pirates. At any rate, the main purpose of a Davy Back Fight is to plunder desirable members from another pirate's crew."

Nami sounded bewildered, "Pirates plundering other pirates?"

"Yes," The older woman confirmed in an almost cheerful tone.

Kaori spoke low, clearly on edge, "I don't like the sound of that. I say we kick these guys' asses and be done with it."

I grimaced as I responded, "As much as I'd like to agree, it's up to Luffy at this point."

The first Foxy Pirate started shouting down at us again, his tone mocking, "No wonder your puny crew only has eight members! A Davy Back Fight is the best way to pull in some new recruits!"

My girlfriend scoffed, "Throwing together a bunch of strangers with no trust between them? Seems like a terrible way to build a crew. You're just asking for a mutiny."

"Shows what you know about upholding a pirate's honour," One of the Foxy Pirates sneered at her. The blind woman bristled as he continued, "Since you're so clueless, I'll tell you how it works. After each match, the winner can take any crew member they want from the losing team."

"And once that person is chosen," Another man added, "They gotta pledge their undying loyalty to their new captain on the spot."

Yet another man chimed in, "Both crews take their oath in the name of Davy Jones, the pirate of the deep."

Nami was slowly piecing it together, dread creeping into her tone, "So if you lose, you lose a crew member?"

"Now you're getting it!" One of them yelled, slow clapping with a condescending grin.