Journey to One Piece

89. Bet

"Think whatever you want to think. But I don't want to fight with you and this also includes you two cowards." Ken said.

"Who are you calling cowards?" Mr. 3 shouted.

"You just ran away thinking of your life."

"That is not cowardice. That is called tactical retreat." Mr. 3 argued back.

"For me that is called being a coward." Ken said and didn't bother arguing with him.

"I am not a coward."

"What do you want?" Meanwhile Mr. 2 asked as he was sure that Ken here was being nice to them for a reason.

"Friendship and loyalty."

"Huh?" - Mr. 2.

"What?" - Miss Goldenweek.

"Are you crazy?" - Mr. 3.

"I am not crazy. I just want friendship and loyalty from you three. Your Crocodile wouldn't last much in front of us. That Wanted Poster should give a general idea of what crew we are. We have multiple wanted posters with huge amount and this isn't even our full power."

"You are lying. You come from East Blue and that is the weakest sea."

"Gol D. Roger came from East Blue. How did that turn out?"

"Hahahah.. You think this Straw Hat captain of yours is someone like Gol D. Roger?"

"No. Of course not... "

"...He is better than that."

"You are delusional." Mr. 2, Mr. 3 and Miss Goldenweek shouted in unison.

"You will see someday.... How about this? Let's make a bet. If we handle this Crocodile boss of yours, you will come under our banner and if we lose we will be under your banner." Ken laid out his ultimate plan in front of them.

Yes, that's what he wanted. He wanted to make a fleet just like the one Luffy had under him after the Dressrosa arc. He wanted to make a fleet right here and make it grand from the beginning. Bon-clay had all the reasons to join Luffy's fleet.

Of course, if it was upto Luffy, he would have asked him to join his crew instead. But Bon-clay's Devil Fruit was great for espionage.

"You are joking aren't you?" Mr. 2 asked.

"Nope, let's make the bet? Brave enough? Since you said that you are not a coward."

"I am not a coward but I am not an idiot who thinks that your Captain will be someone better than the Pirate King."

"The Pirate King didn't even have that bounty when he first stepped his foot in the Grand Line, we are already much ahead of him and we will surpass him."

"How are you so confident?" Mr. 2, who had been silent until this point asked. He was already moved by the fact that Ken had saved him from fire and now he had out such an absurd bet. He could also easily understand that Ken could take them out pretty fast but he wasn't making any moves.

Bon-clay respected such people who had ethics and morale.

"Why am I so confident? Hmm.. Let's just say that it's his destiny. Is that explanation enough?"

"Oye.. Mr. 2.. You are not seriously thinking of his bet are you?"

"We can take him out if we work together." Mr. 3 still felt that Ken was speaking nonsense and was already thinking of running away.

"I will take the bet." Mr 2 said after being silent. There was no way out. If they wanted to go back, they would have to be alive at least. If they didn't take the bet, he was pretty sure that their choices would end at this island.

"An intelligent decision."

"But that doesn't mean our loyalty right now will change and I will go and tell him about this bet."

"Do whatever you want. I don't care." Ken said as he was happy about the fact that Bon-clay had accepted the proposal. He then looked at Mr. 2.

"Are you on board?"

"Do I have a choice?"

"Mr. 2 had a choice. You don't." Ken said

"Why does he have the choice and I don't?"

"Because he is loyal, you aren't." Ken said.

"You don't know me yet."

"Then prove it to me by taking the bet."

"Ahhh.. Fine... I will take the bet. But defeat me first..."

The moment he spoke those words Ken vanished from his sight and what followed next was an enormous pain in his stomach. Ken had just punched him in the stomach after using the simple Body Flicker Jutsu. Mr. 3 didn't even see what had hit him and just felt it.

Mr. 3 almost vomited after being hit with the punch as he was down on his knees. When he said that he wanted a rematch, he didn't expect that Ken would take action instantly.

"Don't delude yourself thinking that you can beat me with just a measly power. Learn Haki, maybe then you can think of challenging me or anyone from the crew. Anyone from my crew is enough to take you down."

Miss Goldenweek had been silent all this time and was almost having a breakdown. She wanted to help her partner but Ken didn't even give them a chance.

"What is Haki?" Bon-clay had never heard of Haki before so he was curious.

"Research on it. Or better yet, ask Crocodile. He will explain to you the horrors of it."

"Now, Mr 3, ready to accept the bet?"

"Haii... Haii.. I will... take.. the bet."

Mr. 2 wasn't able to talk and was only able to exhale those words of acceptance. He was in immense pain and felt like his inner organs might have shifted. It was a miracle that he didn't vomit blood.

"Miss Goldenweek, or should I say Marianne?"

"You know my name?" Miss Goldenweek was surprised that Ken actually knew her name. She was both flattered and terrified. A person like Ken knowing her name was both a boon and a curse.

"I have a penchant for information." Ken said.

"I will accept the bet."

"Good. Now, Mr. 2 go and eliminate the poison.."

Before he could complete the sentence, there was a small earthquake with cries of birds and animals. A huge volcano burst out from the top most mountain of the island. This was the alarm bell.

A bell for the next duel between Dorry and Brogy. This duel had been going on for ages and they had been fighting which was inconclusive till now. These two beings were giants from Elbaf and in a very small disagreement they had been in eternal duel.