Devil's Luck Pirates

Everyone has a different opinion on scars. For some, they are something to be proud of. A reminder that you are now stronger than before and that whatever you have come across before, wasn't able to claim your life.

For others, it is something to be ashamed of. A horrible disfiguration of your body that must be hidden from others.

It can also be something to feel sad about. That mark on your body represents the loss of someone or something very important to you.

And, of course, some don't even care about it. It is just a scar. Nothing more, Nothing less.

Pearl never thought too much about this matter. She is very well acquainted with scars, considering the type of life she has, but never considered them as something special. Maybe it is because she never went through an event that managed to scar her in a significant manner. Even if something managed to pass through her tough scales, her wounds will always heal without leaving any noticeable trace.

Her thoughts continue to wander as she collects the last hand ax lodged on the ship's deck. They all acquired new scars today, and the Yogi Pooh was no exception.

Pearl looks around to make sure she has them all, she grabs the sack with all seventeen hand axes inside and carries them to Duros' room as requested.

On her way there, she passes through Ragnar and Verona as they continue to intimidate Lieutenant Hubris. Only giving the cowardly Marine a disdainful look.

-Please, I'll tell you everything you want to know! Just spare my life, please! – Hubris pleads while lying on the floor. His voice is somehow more annoying than ever before.

Ragnar and Verona simply share a look. Satisfied with their prisoner's state of mind, Ragnar grabs him by the collar once more and holds him against the wall. He then takes out the Jolly Roger he found on the underground village from his pocket and shoves it on Hubris' face.

-Do you recognize this flag? – He asks with a serious tone.

-Y-yes! That's the flag of the Steam Pipe Pirates! Don't you recognize it? They are the most infamous pirate crew on the South Blue. – Hubris responds – They are led by Eustass Valve!

-Eustass Valve… – Ragnar says, engraving this name on his mind – So that is his name...

He finally knows the name of the man who raided his village. His blood boils with anger as he thinks about what he'll do to the man who took everything from him.

-Do you know where he is?! – Ragnar growls bashing Hubris against the wall.

-No! If we knew where he is Captain Marrow would've killed him by now… – Hubris responds after a whimper.

-And where is Captain Marrow? – Verona asks almost out of nowhere.

-Captain Marrow… w-why would-

Hubris stops himself. He knows that if he doesn't tell these guys everything, they'll split his head in half. However, if he compromises Captain Marrow's mission, he'll also split his head in half.

Standing between a rock and a hard place, Hubris decides to avoid the immediate danger to try to reason with Marrow later.

-…Yes, yes. Captain Marrow. I'll tell you where he is. So then he can kill you lowly pirates personally! – Hubris says with a cheeky smile on his bloodied face – He is on route back to the Tarako Kingdom. After receiving the news of his father's assassination, he came here looking for you, lot. The only thing he found was that useless giant. He took out his anger on him and told me to stand guard there.

-But you fund us on your way there instead… – Verona complements.

-He's the strongest man of the South Blue! – Hubris boasts about his superior's strength – He'll impale your bodies using his Hone Hone no mi! You lowly scum have no chance against him!

Ragnar just smiles at the challenge. When the mailman told them about Captain Marrow, Ragnar wasn't sure if he could defeat someone with the power of a Devil Fruit. But now that he's got one of his own, the fight for the title of "The Strongest" will be a fair one.

-Do have any more questions for this man? – Verona asks his crewmate.

-I got the bastard's name. We can work with that. – He responds.

-Alright then. Hold still. – Verona says causally. He points Little Timmy to Hubris' head and pulls the trigger. The bullet splitting the former Lieutenant's head open.

The sound reverberates through the air allowing everyone to hear Little Timmy's blazing cry.

-Oh? Is the battle going on still? – Duros asks after hearing the gunshot. He and William just got below deck after checking out the bodies above.

-No, I think that might've been Little Timmy… – William responds casually.