Chapter 56
Dominic, Woodes, and Lynx have been trying to chat up Monkey D. Luffy for the past 30 minutes but every single time they try they keep on getting interrupted by her crewmate who keep on giving the three of them a look that could make a man’s knees go weak.
But the three of them were drunk, balsey, and didn’t care. They weren’t pirates, just sailors who hadn’t seen land in too long, and the sight of a beautiful, young, and obviously capable pirate captain had their heads spinning with more than just the cheap alcohol. They were like moths to a flame, drawn in by the allure of danger and the thrill of the unknown.
“Come on.” Domicic said, leaning against the bar counter of the bar, they were in. “You got a boyfriend or something?”
Luffy, for her part, was only entertaining them until the Kid pirates showed up. “Yes I do, actually. He’s the prettiest, nicest guy, I know.”
The three sailors, Dominic, Woodes, and Lynx, exchanged skeptical looks. Pretty? That was not the adjective they’d use to describe a pirate. They imagined some soft, doe-eyed boy with no spine, not someone capable of surviving the sea.
“Oh, really?” Woodes sneered. “And what does this pretty boy look like?”
Luffy raised an eyebrow at him, her expression amused, but she just shrugged, describing what he looks like. “He’s tall, and he has long, long blonde hair, he has perfect, thick, long blonde eyelashes, bright crystal blue eyes, and the most gorgeous smile you could think of.”
Sanji, who had been quietly serving drinks behind the bar, had to suppress a smirk. He knew exactly who Luffy was talking about. Killer, Eustass Kid’s right hand man, was indeed quite the looker, with a reputation that preceded him.
But the sailors didn’t know that. They chuckled, picturing a dainty, effeminate boy who couldn’t possibly match up to their own brawn. “Sounds like a pushover to me,” Lynx said, flexing his arms.
Luffy scoffed at him, immediately becoming disinterested in the conversation at him rude comment. She turned her attention away from them and to the TV hanging on the wall behind the bar counter, pretending that they were not there anymore.
Sanji couldn’t help but chuckle at the misconception. He knew Killer, and while he was indeed very attractive, he was anything but a pushover. He was known as the Manslayer for a reason, and that reputation was not just for show. But he kept his thoughts to himself, watching the exchange with a knowing smile.
The three sailors, their egos bruised by Luffy's indifference, grew more aggressive in their banter. "If he's so pretty, why don't you bring him around?" Woodes taunted, his voice slurred by the alcohol. "I bet he couldn't handle a real man."
Luffy’s eyes flicked over to him, her feature is morphing into one of an annoyance and irritation before she just scoffed again. Ignoring the three of them again as she turned her attention back to the TV.
Lynx, the most belligerent of the trio, decided to take it up a notch. He stumbled closer to Luffy, his breath reeking of rum. "What's the matter, darling? Scared your pretty boy toy can't handle a challenge?" His hand reached out to grab her wrist, but before he could even make contact, the atmosphere in the bar changed.
The sound of someone talking, more like ranting very loudly echoed through the as a tall figure with red hair, that could only be Eustass Kid, shoved open the bar door looking miffed beyond belief at whatever had just been said to him. Behind him, Killer and the rest of his crew followed him in, their footsteps heavy with anticipation and the smell of danger clinging to them like a second skin.
Luffy’s demeanor instantly shifted, leaning forward on the bar as she watched the kid pirate enter, her elbow, resting on the bar and her chin resting in her hands. “Hiya Pookie!” She called out, a wide grin spreading across her face.
Killer’s head swiveled around as if he was a dog and he just heard the sound of his favorite treat bag being shook. His gaze immediately locking onto her.
Luffy smacked Lynx hand away from her, and gesture too Killer. “You three wanted to meet my boyfriend so here he is. This is my boyfriend, Killer.”
Killer strode over with the grace of a lion and a smoldering gaze that could make anyone cower. “Hey, Luffy. What’s going on?” He greeted her casually, his deep voice rumbling through the room.
Dominic, Woodes, and Lynx stared at the approaching figure, their bravado fading like the setting sun. The man they had dismissed as a pretty boy was anything but. Standing at 6’5, Killer’s muscular frame was a stark contrast to the delicate image they had conjured up in their minds.
The room grew tense as Killer stepped in, his eyes scanning the trio. "Is there a problem here?" he asked, his voice deceptively calm. The three sailors took an involuntary step back.
Dominic, trying to save face, pointed a wobbly finger at Luffy. "Your girl here said you're all nice and pretty," he slurred, his bravado slipping away.
“Oh, but he is oh so pretty!” Luffy said dramatically, cupping her face with both hands and batting her eyelashes at Killer. “The Massacre Soldier is the prettiest in all the seven seas.”
Killer rolled his eyes but couldn’t hide his smirk as he took in the three sailors who had been bothering Luffy. He knew his reputation was one that could make even the bravest of men quiver, and he enjoyed watching the fear creep into their eyes.
Lynx's hand dropped to his side as he took in the imposing figure of Killer. "W-what the hell?" he stammered, his voice betraying his sudden fear. "That's your boyfriend?"
Luffy swiveled in her barstool to face the sailors, her smile turning into a smirk. “Yeah, he is. Killer, the Manslayer is my man. I told you guys he was pretty, didn’t I?”
The room grew so silent you could hear the ice in the drinks melting. Dominic, Woodes, and Lynx took in the sight before them, their eyes wide with a mix of terror and disbelief. They had heard the name before, whispered in the shadows of the darkest alleys, a name that sent chills down spines and made grown men weep in their sleep.
Killer stopped in front of them, his hand resting casually on the hilt of one of the scythes attached to his handguards. "Is there a problem?" he repeated, his tone still calm but now with an underlying current of menace that was impossible to ignore.