Bloodlines

Chapter 5

They walked out into a wide and open field on the Island that Liza suggested and made sure that no one was around. Liza and Benn went to stand next to each other far away from the other two men who were distancing themselves from each other.

"Do they challenge each other regularly or is this a onetime thing that just happens when they see each other on an Island?" Liza asked as she crossed her arms over her chest, her blue eyes scanning the scenery.

"I'm not sure myself. They challenge each other whenever they feel like it. Shanks only challenges Mihawk because they're equal in strength. He wants to be the best and Mihawk accepts every time because of his own pride," Benn explained and Liza let out a sigh.

"They're like children fighting over a piece of candy," Liza said in disapproval and shook her head. Benn snickered at her statement and nodded. He had to agree with her. He too at times felt like this was a game to them but he would never stop his Captain from fighting. It was against his own pride.

"Well, at least this will keep me busy and for once I won't get drunk too early in the day," Liza said and Benn blinked in surprise at the female. She was completely different. He had never met a female which such a short temper in his life and she nonchalantly admitted her overly fondness of endulging in too much drinking.

"Since we're just going to stand here and watch the show, how about we make a bet?" Liza suggested and Benn gave her a blank look. A bet? He was quick to brush passed his disbelief and raised an eyebrow.

"A bet? What kind of bet? I told you that they were still even the last time they fought with each other and you still want to make a bet?" Benn asked in confusion and Liza smirked at the male. Her blue eyes gleamed with mischief and a chuckle escaped her plush lips.

"That's exactly why. You said that they were still equal the last time they fought, but how long ago was it?" She asked and his face fell slightly. "I thought so. They've both probably gotten much stronger since then and neither of us know who's going to win. That's why I want to make a bet, only for fun," she added.

"I see. You have a valid point there. Fine, I agree. I say they both stand an equal chance of winning. Neither of them will give up throughout the fight because both of them are too stubborn to know when they've lost," Benn said and Liza stared at him.

"What about your bet? Surely you don't think that this bet would be without something of worth being on the line?" Liza said and frowned at the male. Benn's eyes widened and he looked away nervously. What was he going to give her if she won?

"H-How about we pay double for each drink at your bar? My Captain loves to drink so he'll be sure to pay up," Benn said, half lying. He knew that Shanks would kill him if he paid twice as much for alcohol than he should.

"Alright, it sounds fair enough. If you win, I'll give you a full day free of pay at my bar. You can drink, eat and party as much as you want to," Liza said and Benn's eyes widened. Now this was getting interesting. He had to try to win this one even if he could do nothing to change the results.

"Wait a minute. You haven't said one who you're betting. We can't call this official until you give me your bet and we need to shake on it," Benn said and Liza chuckled at the male. She shifted her eyes towards the scene.

Benn watched as her facial expression turned serious and she stared at the two pirates as if analyzing each of them. "This battle will be a tie up until the end. Shanks will trick Mihawk and he'll let himself be tricked, leaving Shanks the winner despite Mihawk being stronger," she said.

Benn's eyes widened at her statement and his small cigar almost fell out of his mouth. He gaped at her and looked back at the two who were still readying themselves to fight. Did she just foresee the battle? That's impossible! That would mean that she has a power of a Devil's Fruit!