Bloodlines

Chapter 24

Time passed back at the bar but Liza didn't come back and neither did Aston. Not only was Aston missing but it seemed like Liza was too. The men felt uneasy and it didn't take long until Shanks stood up.

"I'm going to look for her," Shanks said as he put the palm of his hands down onto the bar counter, his brows furrowed and his eyes serious. He wasn't going against the feeling in his gut and he wasn't going to take his chances when it came to Liza.

He knew that she was strong, he knew that very well but it wasn't always a strong person to win a fight. Even if he found her still looking for Aston, he was still going out to find her. He would take the scolding when it came.

"I agree. She's been gone too long and I don't like this feeling," Benn said, his teeth biting down on the cigarette in his mouth. His eyes gleamed with worry and he wondered where she was. She would've came back by now.

"I'll come with you," Richard said and they glanced at the male. "I know these parts too and I can go ask around if they saw her. We'll split up and look for signs." Shanks grunted and turned back towards his men.

"Yasopp, Lucky Roo, take a few men with you and look for Liza. The rest, stay here and contact us if she came back. Benn, you're coming with me and Richard. Let's go find her!" Shanks ordered and everyone grunted.

Richard was surprised to see how calm and collected Shanks were. His behavior almost seemed out of character from his usual laid back and obnoxious nature. However, he could now see why Shanks was a Captain.

"The first place we should go is Victor's place. He knows everything about everyone and I'm sure that Liza-chan would go to him first too," Richard said as he grabbed his brown jacket and stepped outside of the bar.

"Lead the way. The rest of you, split up! Make sure you have a Den Den Mushi with you at all times!" Shanks ordered the men and they nodded before they all scattered in different directions. Shanks looked back at Richard and the male nodded.

He led the way and walked through the small crowd of people. The people slowly started to walk away and some of them went back to their homes. The market was only busy early in the morning and when it became darker out, things quieted down.

"Something isn't right here," Benn spoke up and Shanks glanced back at his first mate. "Liza goes out to look for her bartender and goes missing herself. There has to be someone behind all of this and I get the strange feeling that it was pirates." Shanks grunted, his brows furrowing.

"Same here. Despite not trusting a marine in the least but I don't think they would do it. Why would they kidnap a kid without any bounty? Doesn't make sense. Moreover, Liza has a peace trading with them." Shanks concluded and Richard swallowed thickly.

"If it's pirates, we have to hurry up before they sail off this island or we won't have a chance to catch them!" Richard said and the other two men nodded. Richard could feel panic wash over his and his heart beat loudly in his chest.

They finally came to a familiar shop and Richard was quick to enter it. Shanks and Benn slowly joined him, glancing around as they did so. They had to keep their eyes open for suspicious people as well. They couldn't let their guard down for even a second.

"Victor! Victor! Are you here?! Victor!" Richard called, seeing no one in the front of the shop. Soon enough, a familiar male peeked out from a door that led to the back. He raised an eyebrow as he stepped out of the door.

"Richard? What are you doing here?"

"I need to ask you something and it's very important. Have you seen Liza-chan earlier today? Do you maybe know where she went?" Richard asked and Victor blinked a few times. He raised an eyebrow and nodded.