Bounty Hunting (Part 2)

(Starrk's POV)

"Your group really just ditched you, huh?" I told the bandit that laid in the ground

I had my foot planted on his back as he struggled to crawl away. He was too weak to do so because I gave him some pretty bad cuts.

It was night, I had set out to look for the rest of the bandits. Well, honestly, I'll settle for the leader and I'll get the rest at a later time. If I am correct, these grunts won't be worth much and they'll eventually scurry off and join other groups.

The old man was right, these mountains are a hive for scum like this.

I had caught this guy alone in one of the camps they were supposed to be at. I assumed they spotted me before I got here and ran.

"You bastard!" The bandit growled, "The boss will kill you!"

I raised an eyebrow, "He can try."

As in cue, I heard a crowd of footsteps all around me.

I turned around to see dozens of bandits surround me. They all had smirks on their faces as they held their weapons.

A trap.

Then, one of them walked forward. He was smoking a cigar as he held an axe in his hand.

"You piece of shit, I've heard you've been capturing Bandits these days." He said, "I'll make sure to feed your limbs to my dogs."

I looked around and then stared at him with a dumbfounded expression.

"Where are your dogs?" I asked, "I don't see them, you probably should've brought them."

He pointed his axe at me, "Get him."

I readied my blade, "Alright then." I said with a slight smirk, "Time for some practice."

*********************

A couple of hours later, I walked into the bounty collection building and threw the bandit leader on the floor.

His unconscious body hit the floor with a thud as I wiped sweat from my forehead.

The old man was sitting on a chair smoking his pipe, as if he expected me.

"So you brought this punk, eh?" He said

I shrugged, "No biggie." I said, "I tied a couple of his goons too, some people are helping me bring them in. The rest got away. I'll get them tomorrow. Oh and pay half of their bounties to them, its fine. I got this guy's bounty anyway."

The old man chuckled, "You're too good at this for some mountain bandits." He said, "You should go and do pirates if you really want money and fighting. Besides, the marines will pay you good."

I shook my head, "Fuck the marines." I said, "Besides, I'm not ready to set out to sea. Gotta get better at my sword. Still need more training."

He nodded, "Fine by me." He said, "I'll get your pay in the morning, go get yer rest."

I smiled slightly and turned around, "Alright." I told him as I walked away, "I'll be here tomorrow."

As I walked out the building, I felt a little chill.

I stopped and looked up at the sky. It was a little cloudy and I could see the moon.

For some reason, it felt odd looking at it. The more i stared at it, the stronger that odd sensation felt.

I paid it no mind and kept walking.

I sighed, "Man…" I said as I walked, "I need a shower."

*******************

(3rd Person POV)

In the distant sea, not too far away from the Island where Starrk resided, the Moby Dick sailed slowly in the night.

Inside the ship, on the captain's quarters, Whitebeard laid on his bed while drinking sake from a gourd. He looked to have an annoyed look on his face as he looked at someone in front of him.

"What the hell are you doing up at this hour?" He grumbled, "You're a guest on my ship, yet you have the balls to come to my room and wake me up for a chat? You got some explaining to do…..Cregan…."

On the other side of the room, a man sat on a chair. He had long brown hair and a bushy beard. He wore a dark gray leather outfit. His trench coat had a grey wolf's pelt on the top of it.

He sat in a slouched position and looked at Whitebeard with his dark brown eyes.

"Newgate, You know I wouldn't disturb your sleep if it wasn't important." He said, "But there's something I have to tell you. About the man you're looking for."

Whitebeard set his gourd down and looked at him.

"Well? Spit it out already, brat." He said

"You say you know of him due to the rumors between him and you." Cregan said, "But I know the reason the marines want him."

"And what's that?" Whitbeard asked

Cregan gave him a sly smirk, "He's the man known as Starrk." He said,

"The One Who Knows The Future."