Chapter 28
Thud. As Bonney thrashes against her ropes, a rolled-up paper slips from her clothes and hits the deck.
“What’s this?” I blink, standing to pick it up. Curious, I unroll it to take a look.
“That’s mine! Give it back!” Bonney struggles harder, her tied hands useless, so she snaps her teeth at the chart in my hand like a feral kid.
I lift it out of her reach with a smirk. “Hold up, pirate lady. You’re my prisoner. That means you—and everything you’ve got—belong to me now.” I sit back in my chair, unfurling the paper.
It’s just a sea chart, nothing crazy. But one spot is heavily marked, with a detailed route highlighted. My eyes narrow as I zero in on the location: Half-Moon Island.
“You guys headed to Half-Moon Island too?” I ask, folding the chart and eyeing Bonney.
“Hmph! No comment!” Bonney, still fuming about me snatching her chart, turns her head away with a scowl.
The calm pirate next to her—some guy from her hometown, I figure, since he’s got a protective vibe—his eyes flicker. “Sir… you going to Half-Moon Island too?”
I grin, catching his attempt to pry. “Trying to flip the script on me, huh? I’m the one asking questions here.”
“N-no, I didn’t mean it like that! Just curious!” he says quickly, waving his hands as much as the ropes allow.
“Then answer mine,” I say, leaning back.
“Yeah… we’re going to Half-Moon Island,” he admits, nodding.
“So, what’s your deal with Kryhiss? Buddies? Rivals?” I press.
Sweat beads on his forehead. He’s nervous, and I get why. They’re my prisoners—if he says they’re against Kryhiss and I’m working with the guy, their whole crew’s in deep trouble. That’s why he’s fishing for my angle. Too bad for him, I’m not some rookie who spills his plans.
He glances at me, lounging in my chair, one leg swinging casually. The pressure’s getting to him.
“What’s the hold-up? Tough question?” I say, my tone light but sharp. “You wouldn’t just sail to Half-Moon Island for no reason. It’s not exactly a pirate’s go-to destination.”
He clenches his jaw, clearly torn. I can see his mind racing—tell the truth or lie? It’s a gamble, and the stakes are their lives, even if I haven’t said it outright.
“No point dragging this out!” Bonney interrupts, her voice brash. “We’re going to Half-Moon Island to take down that jerk Kryhiss!” Her temper’s as fiery as ever, just what I’d expect from the kid who’ll later kick Blackbeard in the face while chained up. Supernovas don’t play nice.
Her hometown friend looks at her, a mix of worry and acceptance in his eyes. Bonney’s only ten, but she’s the captain, and she’s made her choice. He’s here to look out for her, not to question her lead, so he just goes along with it. Gotta respect that loyalty, even if she’s a handful.
He shifts his gaze back to me, tense, waiting for my reaction.
I keep my expression blank, tapping my finger on the chair’s armrest. The steady rhythm seems to make him jumpier, like it’s pounding on his nerves.
“Ugh, this guy…” Nami mutters nearby, rolling her eyes. She knows I’m milking the moment, messing with them just because I can. It’s a little fun, I admit.
The deck stays quiet for a few seconds. Even Bonney, all tough talk earlier, starts sweating. Finally, I let a grin slip. “Well, looks like we’re on the same page then.”