Chapter 32
At night, the Bonney Pirates’ crew quietly gathers under Bonney’s orders, slipping into the east side of town.
“We’re practically outside the town now. What are we even doing here?” Bonney, still in her little-girl form, glances at me, her voice tinged with impatience.
Before I can answer, Mark points to a high-walled building in the distance. “That’s our target, Captain.” He turns to me with a grin. “The prison, right, John?”
“Spot on,” I say, nodding. “Our goal is the pirates and slaves locked up by Kryhiss. We need bodies to distract his crew in town, and these prisoners are perfect. Most of them would love to tear Kryhiss apart. If we free them, we won’t even have to do much—they’ll turn this island upside down on their own.”
Mark, catching my drift, picks up where I left off. “Even with Kryhiss’s thousands of pirates, they won’t be able to handle a mob of angry prisoners right away. The town will descend into chaos, and that’s our opening.”
Bonney’s eyes light up. “That’s a brilliant plan! Why didn’t I think of that?”
I shrug and flick her forehead. “Stick to planning your three meals a day, chowhound.” I wave to the crew behind us. “Alright, let’s move.”
“Argh! Stop calling me chowhound, you sneaky bounty hunter!” Bonney snaps, fuming, but she follows along.
——————
Soon, we reach the prison and hunker down behind a small hill. The guards outside aren’t exactly on high alert—nothing like the fortress around Kryhiss’s “capital.” Two squads patrol the perimeter, but they look sloppy, probably too comfortable on this island. A few are even yawning.
As both squads converge at the prison’s front gate, I shoot Bonney a look. In a flash, I dart out from behind the hill, and she scrambles to keep up. My strength was already solid, and with the Primary Body Enhancement Potion from the Hunter’s Shop (Chapter Twenty), my speed, power, and stamina are on another level. Bonney, a future Supernova, may have lost to me earlier, but she’s no slouch either. Together, we take down both squads—over thirty pirates—in under five seconds.
With the outer guards out cold, Mark, Nami, and the rest of the crew join us at the gate. Nami had planned to stay at the port with the two sailors to watch the ship, but she decided sticking with me was safer—and there might be some loot to snag after we deal with Kryhiss. Her greed won out over caution, as usual.
I glance up at the massive wooden gate, easily ten meters tall, then turn to the crew. “Everyone ready? I’m about to kick this off.”
The Bonney Pirates nod silently.
No hesitation. I swing a fist, smashing the gate with a single blow. Boom! The wood splinters, leaving a gaping hole.
“Someone broke the gate!”
“Who’s there?!” The commotion rouses the guards inside. The once-lax pirates snap to attention, rushing toward the entrance.
We step inside, and nearly a hundred of Kryhiss’s pirates block our path, with more pouring in. I estimate three to four hundred guards in total.
“Make this quick—don’t forget why we’re here!” I call out, then turn to the group. “Bonney, you take the right. I’ll handle the left. Mark, you and the crew charge straight ahead. Nami, work your magic and open as many cell doors as you can. Get those prisoners out to fight the guards. Do a good job, and I’ll cut you in on the spoils.”
Nami, who was probably hoping to coast through this, nods eagerly. “You got it!”
With that, Bonney, Mark, and the crew dive into the fray against the prison guards, while Nami slips through the chaos toward the cells.
——————
The fight tips in our favor fast. With Bonney and me as heavy hitters—her as a Supernova, me boosted by the Hunter’s Shop potion—and the prisoners Nami’s freeing joining in, we overwhelm the guards. In no time, nearly four hundred of Kryhiss’s pirates are down—dead or too injured to stand.
I stroll over to one of the fallen guards, crouch, and grab a key ring from his belt. The prisoners, seeing this, start shouting.
“Hey, kind sir, let me out! I’m just a fisherman they grabbed!” one pleads.
“I’m Hammer Jon! Free me, and I’ll fight for you!” a pirate yells.
More cries for help erupt, turning the prison into a cacophony.
“Quiet!” Bonney shouts, silencing the crowd. “Listen up! I’m Jewelry Bonney, captain of the Bonney Pirates! We’re here to set you all free. Once you’re out, you can run for it. But if anyone wants to join my crew and roll with me, step over here!”
“I’m in, Hammer Jon’s with you!”
“Me too!”
“Count me in!” Voices ring out from the cells.
I smirk at Bonney. “Not bad, Captain Bonney. Seizing the moment to recruit some muscle.”
“Hmph! Of course,” she says, puffing up proudly. “Captain Bonney’s always got the smarts!”
I hand the keys to the crew. “Split up and start unlocking. There are hundreds of cells and at least a thousand prisoners. If we don’t move fast, we’ll be here till dawn.”
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