17 Chapter 17

"Master John, can you help me create a sheath and handle for this sword?" Ron asked, as he handed the sword to the old man, John, who was accompanied by his son. Ron's face had returned to its previously gentle and calm demeanor.

"Oh, well..." Old John stammered in response. He truly hadn't expected Ron to be such a skilled swordsman. Not only had Ron openly killed the owner of the iron furnace weapon shop, but he had also injured Captain Smoker. This was Logue Town, which had the Navy Headquarter that was situated in the East Blue. Where had this bold man come from?

"Trouble" Ron nodded and said, "But luckily, I've won this blacksmithing competition. By saving this piece of material, I've repaid your kindness, Master John."

Old John couldn't believe it. Ron had made all this commotion just to save his material and return a favor. He sighed inwardly, realizing that Ron's actions had caused enough trouble. The owner of the weapon shop was dead, and Captain Smoker was wounded. Even though Ron was responsible, he was still an apprentice at their blacksmith shop.

Ron understood Old John's concerns but shook his head. The weapon shop owner's death was a minor issue, and he didn't think the Navy would trouble Old John. If they did, he was confident they would face consequences of their own.

Inside Old John's weapons store, Ron sat calmly on a stool, with Clinton and Dorlo standing beside him. Old John was crafting a sheath and handle for Ron's newly forged great sword.

When the work was completed, Ron was ready to leave. Tashigi, who had been sitting beside Ron, was still confused about why she had been apprehended by this teenager.

Was Ron planning to use her as leverage against the Navy, or was he worried about a naval attack and intended to use her as a hostage? She contemplated escaping, but with Ron's occasional menacing glances, it made her reconsider. Clinton and Dorlo, once eager to retain Ron as a blacksmithing master, now hesitated. Ron was not only exceptionally skilled but also revealed himself as a pirate with a ten-million-Bailey bounty on his head. He had killed the weapon shop owner, wounded captain Smoker, and captured liutenant Tashigi. How could they retain someone like him without attracting the Navy's attention?

Ron was preoccupied with the challenge of taming Tashigi, who was akin to a wild kitten. He gazed at her, and she met his stare with a mixture of defiance and fear behind her small, black-rimmed, myopic glasses. It appeared that taming her would take time. In a world filled with alluring women, Ron had no intention of conquering them one by one on his pirate ship. There simply wasn't enough time.

Therefore, the quickest way to achieve this goal is to board the ship and buy a ticket rather than discuss emotions over a pot of raw rice.

(T/N: I don't get this one either)

Of course, Ron's intention was to recruit these girls to join his pirate crew, not to force them into anything inappropriate. He would never stoop to such behavior, no matter how shameless. That's absolutely out of the question.

Just then, Old John approached Ron, showing him great respect, and then handed Ron the newly configured great sword with both hands. "Mr. Ron, here's your sword."

Ron was no longer the young apprentice he once was, obediently following Old John's orders. He had become a formidable swordsman, and Old John had to choose his words carefully.

"Thank you, Master John," Ron stood up and smiled."

"Mr. Ron, are you... leaving Logue Town?" Old John hesitated.

"Yes, there's something I need to take care of" Ron nodded. He did have important matters to attend to, like rescuing the many girls waiting for his help.

"Well, if you're leaving, please be careful" Old John cautioned, casting a meaningful glance at Tashigi.

"Oh, I understand."

Ron knew exactly what Old John was getting at. After all, he had not only taken lives but also injured Captain Smoker, and even captured a young girl from the Navy. It was only natural that the Navy would come after him.

So, Ron left the weapons store with Tashigi and strolled down the street towards the docks.

There weren't many people on the street; the recent murder had put everyone on edge. Those few who recognized Ron as the infamous pirate gave him a wide berth, with eyes full of fear. How could one not be afraid of such a powerful and wanted criminal?

Tashigi bit her lip lightly, her eyes darting around as if searching for an escape route. However, after a moment's thought, she looked up at Ron, who was walking leisurely ahead. She sighed. With a man of his strength by her side, escape was a futile endeavor.

Ron and Tashigi arrived at the dock and surveyed the boats.

How should they proceed?

Should they commandeer a vessel?

Running a ship alone was problematic, even with Tashigi's help. Ron decided to seize a merchant ship instead.

So, they boarded a medium-sized sailboat, something that wasn't out of place for a pirate.