One Piece: Mountain of Steel

As I ask that question, the nerdy crewmate jumps in yet again. 

"Erm, I don't think that is the right course of action, sir!" 

"Why?"

This man was truly confusing. He was just telling me how amazing and powerful these people were, and now his advice was not to join?

How strange.

"You see, erm, the nearest Marine base is the 16th branch, led by Captain Nezumi. He...doesn't exactly have the best record."

My eyes narrowed dangerously. 

"How so?" 

The man scratches his head sheepishly. 

"Well, he's reputed to accept bribes. Also, crime in his segment of the East Blue is 50% higher than in every other segment." 

"Instead of joining him, you should go to a different branch! I heard that Captain Lowell of the 13th branch is extremely compe mmmphh!" 

The captain of the ship quickly slaps a hand over his crewmate's mouth. Turning to me, a shameless grin stretches across his face. 

"I'm sorry, sir, but I'm afraid that we can't afford to change routes so quickly. The only available option is Captain Nezumi's branch." 

I let out a quiet sigh. It was clear the captain bore a deep grudge against the Marine known as Nezumi. But would it be worth it to kill him? After all, it would be highly likely that a bounty would be placed on my head, degrading my status to that of a filthy pirate. 

No, I can't allow that. I'll rise through the ranks somewhere else, then I'll deal with this so-called rat.

"In that case, kindly take me there. I will not trouble you any further." My rumbling voice, ten-foot-tall frame stacked with bulging muscles, and massive weapons seemed to satisfy the man in front of me. 

"Hahaha! I have no doubt you will become an outstanding member of the Marines!" 

The raucous laughter of the captain fills the air, and I'm sure that he looks forward to seeing pictures of Captain Nezumi crushed. 

Unfortunately, it won't happen. 

At least not as soon as he expects. 

-----------------------------------------------------------

After docking, I waved goodbye to the gracious crew who brought me here. 

"Now, where should I go?" I mused. 

An errant thought runs past my mind. After a long conversation with the knowledgeable sailor, I learned that bounty posters were often located in an inn. Though I couldn't read them myself, I could ask someone else to do it. 

Humming a light tune, I make my way to a tavern I sense nearby. As I walk, my footsteps slightly shake the ground, causing nearby people to stumble. 

"Sorry. Sorry. Sorry." Turning to multiple people, I lightly bow my head in apology as I walk. 

After around two minutes of walking and apologizing, the inn was right in front of me. 

A sign hangs above two creaky wooden doors, crude words carved into the splintered surface. Though clumsy, any passerby would know what it said. 

"'The Pig's Head, huh?" I mutter. 

"How interesting." 

Pushing open the doors and ducking underneath the frame, I walk into the tavern with my eyes closed. Every step splinters wood, and the rowdy clamor instantly dies down to a hushed silence. 

I take a seat at the bar. The stool groans under my weight, but doesn't buckle. Sturdy stuff. 

"Barkeep?" 

"Yes, sir?" The man answers in a steady, composed voice. An undeniable mark of experience. 

"Could you read to me the names on those bounty posters and describe their appearance? I'm blind, as you can see." I open my eyes, revealing their milky, unseeing texture. An almost imperceptible sigh of relief exhales from the bartender's mouth. 

After all, if I wreaked havoc and didn't pay for it, a lot of his hard-earned money would be gone. Since I was blind, though, that was impossible. A blind man couldn't possibly do much damage before someone stopped him, right?

Upon hearing of my disability, the tavern's tense atmosphere was shattered instantly. Laughter and drinking resumed heartily, with drunken men continuing to clink their cups and let out all their sorrows. 

"Of course, sir." The bartender smoothly turns and begins to read. 

"Buggy the Clown. 15 million bounty. Dead or Alive." 

"Kuro of a Hundred Plans. 10 million bounty. Dead or Alive." 

"Arlong the Fishman. 20 million bounty. Dead or Alive."

He pauses. 

"I'm afraid that's all I can do for you, sir, unless you have money?" 

I glance at my clearly empty pockets. 

"It's alright. Thank you for your help."

Getting up, the poor stool I was sitting on finally gets a reprieve. It creaks in relief. 

As I step out of the tavern, a smile spreads across my face. 

"I guess I'm off to make some money."