Chapter 27: Patrick Redfield
On the mountain path.
"Captain Brook, that was amazing! You took down that pathetic Marine commander in one move. If it were me, I don't know if I'd even stand a chance against him."
Shakky kept fiddling with the cane sword Brook had gifted her, repeatedly drawing and sheathing it as she mimicked his sword-drawing stance with excitement.
"You should keep training hard. Don't fall behind, or Antonio might surpass you," Brook said casually. Defeating a mere Marine commander wasn't worth celebrating.
"Tch, like I'd ever let that happen! My combat skills aren't bad. Back on Sabaody Archipelago, I held my own just fine."
Shakky was indeed more naturally talented than Antonio, especially when it came to speed-based combat techniques. She progressed quickly in those areas.
"Let's go. We'll meet up with Tom and Antonio in the bustling town on Asuka Island and see if they found anything useful."
Following the crude map in Shakky's hands, they navigated from the primitive settlement to the town. By the time they arrived, Tom had already searched most of the area but hadn't found what he was looking for, leaving him somewhat disappointed.
At that moment, a small pirate ship pulled into the island's harbor, brazenly docking as terrified townspeople scattered. Some fled to notify the local Marine branch.
"Redfield, please, have mercy! I swear I'll never take advantage of you again!"
A pirate captain—desperate and trembling—begged for his life before a noble-looking man who was, in fact, another pirate. He hadn't expected the seemingly ordinary recruit he took in to be so terrifyingly strong.