One piece: A Tale Before the Wind

Chapter 24: Chapter 24: The Captive Bird and the Pirate's Gambit



Kiri and Zoro, having nursed a strange bird that flew over the sea, were invited aboard a pirate ship. As the ship neared an island, it halted, and a small boat approached the shore. A weapon was thrust toward them with a single demand: "Hand it over."

Overpowering the pirates would have been simple, but Kiri forbade it. Instead, they raised their hands and boarded the ship with the bird.

The vessel, though not old, was finely crafted. Kiri, inspecting its details from the deck, nodded subtly, lost in thought. Zoro, uninterested, spotted a girl tied to the mainmast—a captive. Short-haired and lightly dressed, she glared at them, her voice brimming with fury.

"Hey! Why'd you bring Balloon here? I worked so hard to set him free!"

"Balloon?" Kiri asked.

"That bird! The one you dragged along!"

"Oh, the panda," Zoro said.

"Panda? It has wings, you idiot!"

The girl was loud, fearless despite her captivity, and haughty. Zoro, annoyed, picked at his ear. Kiri, joining him, regarded her with mild curiosity—vibrant, not unlike Silk, but louder. Unfazed by her anger, Kiri's expression remained relaxed.

"Hey there. Sorry for the sudden question, but why're you tied up?"

"Hmph. Nosy, aren't you? Why? Because I'm cute, obviously."

"She's trouble," Zoro muttered.

"Easy, now. Let's hear her out," Kiri said.

Pirates stood around, but none seemed ready to fight. Zoro, armed and imposing, and Kiri, looking like a mere boy, didn't seem threatening to them. Taking advantage, Kiri approached the girl. She tensed but couldn't escape her ropes. She didn't look like afighter—likely a civilian or traveler.

"Is that bird yours?" Kiri whispered, glancing around.

"Yes. My friend, my family, my treasure."

"Hmm. It's unique, sure. But why's it wanted? Just for a freak show?"

"No. Balloon's a rare Ruk. They say drinking its blood grants mystic powers. The captain's after that."

"Captain's name?"

"Spiegel of the Hex. Calls himself a sorcerer. Uses weird tricks."

Spiegel of the Hex. Unfamiliar, probably small-time. Kiri beckoned Zoro. They huddled, eyeing Balloon in its cage, squawking. Kiri grinned at the girl.

"We could help you."

"Really?!" she gasped.

"Quietly. Don't draw attention. Your name?"

"Sorry… I'm Ann. Please, save Balloon. I can't lose him."

"Got it. Leave it to us."

Zoro frowned, interrupting. "What's your angle? You know what you're saying?"

"Absolutely. I've got a plan."

"You're a pirate. Since when do we play charity?"

"Pirates don't just do evil. We do what we want, freely."

"Same difference. What's the real plan?"

"This ship. We're taking it."

Zoro's eyes widened. Surrounded by pirates, Kiri's bold words could spark a fight if overheard. "Steal it?"

"Exactly. Call it industry jargon."

"You've got guts saying that. Still sounds like crime."

"It's also saving someone. The world's full of contradictions—justice, evil, it's never simple."

"So, thinking's pointless?"

"You get it. Saving lives, taking the ship—both benefit us. Plus, we earn their gratitude."

"Gratitude? She doesn't look rich."

"Doesn't matter. Favors pay off later."

Zoro sighed. Ann, hearing rescue was possible, beamed, her focus on Balloon's safety. The rare bird had been hunted before, but this time she'd thought it was over—until this unexpected aid. She squirmed against her ropes, eager to break free.

"Untie me! Help!"

"Not yet. We're outnumbered. Need prep."

"Prep? Here? Now?"

"Tell me about Spiegel. What's his deal?"

Ann explained: Spiegel's "sorcery" conjured flames, explosions, even broomstick flight. She'd learned some swordplay to protect Balloon, but Spiegel had destroyed her town. Kiri nodded, noting the challenge of fighting such powers on a ship. He called to Zoro, who'd overheard.

"Want to fight without wrecking the ship. Can you?"

"No problem. But the crew?"

"Don't kill. Toss 'em overboard. Plenty of islands nearby—they'll survive."

"Harsh. Guess that's why you're a pirate."

Zoro grinned, itching for a fight. His aura screamed danger, and Kiri smirked—they were in sync.

"Once it starts, I'll cut her ropes. You get Balloon. Can you cut iron?"

"What? You idiot, swords don't cut iron."

"Maybe the world's greatest swordsman could."

"Spouting nonsense again…"

"If you can't, find the key or break the cage. Hurry, before they take it."

Zoro paused, intrigued. He'd heard rumors of swordsmen cutting iron, and Kiri, a Grand Line veteran, might've seen it. Curiosity piqued, he asked, "You met a great swordsman?"

"Nope."

"Seriously?"

"But I've seen someone cut iron. It's a must for ambition. Train for it."

"Damn. I was naive."

Zoro glanced at his sword, recalling his dojo days. His master said true swordsmen choose what to cut—paper or iron. A blade that harms everything is no true sword. The paradox of cutting nothing to cut anything echoed Kiri's contradictions. He needed to grow stronger, and fighting pirates was perfect practice.

He relaxed, ready to draw. Kiri signaled to wait for the right moment—Spiegel hadn't appeared. But then, Zoro noticed a tall, lanky figure. The crew feared him, standing rigid under his command. Odd hair, unremarkable looks—Spiegel of the Hex.

Zoro sighed, unimpressed. Spiegel, spotting Balloon, grinned, then glanced at Kiri and Zoro. "You brought it? Thanks."

"No big deal," Kiri said humbly.

Spiegel approached the cage, entranced. "This'll make my sorcery unstoppable."

"Captain Spiegel, got a moment?" Kiri asked.

"How do you know my name?"

"From the lady over there." Kiri pointed at Ann, who swallowed hard.

"What's this about?"

"Bit bold, but we caught that bird. Any reward?"

"Money, huh?" Spiegel snorted. "Fine, I'm in a good mood. What do you want?"

As Kiri pondered, Zoro sensed something odd—a sound from the island. Before he could speak, a figure hurtled toward the ship like a cannonball, crashing through the railing, rolling across the deck, and smashing crates. Silence fell. The figure stood, unharmed, grinning under a straw hat—Luffy.

"Man, almost fell in the sea!" Luffy laughed.

"Idiot! We're not rubber!" Zoro snapped.

"Shouldn't have taken my eyes off him…" Silk muttered.

Emerging from the wreckage were Silk and a bizarre man in a treasure chest—Gaimon. The crew gaped. Kiri nodded to Zoro. "Now!"

"Now?!"

Kiri flung a paper shard, slicing Ann's ropes. She grinned, freed, and ran to him. Zoro charged Spiegel, dual swords flashing. Spiegel leapt, floating midair, dodging with unnatural grace. His sorcery was real. Landing on a railing, he glared.

"What's this? Stealing my Ruk?"

Zoro ignored him, rushing the cage. He swung at the iron bars, but they held, ringing loudly. Ann shouted, "Don't hurt Balloon!"

"Back off. You'll ruin your blade," Kiri warned.

"I know!" Zoro growled, attacking the lock instead.

Chaos erupted. Spiegel roared, "That Ruk's mine!"

"Shut up! Balloon's my family!" Ann yelled.

Kiri hurled paper shards at Spiegel, clouding his vision. As Spiegel flailed, Kiri's kick sent him crashing through a wall. Turning to Luffy and Silk, Kiri grinned. "Fight's on. We're taking this ship."

"Food?" Luffy asked.

"Means lots of supplies," Silk clarified, drawing her sword.

"Who's that?" Kiri asked, eyeing Gaimon.

"My friend, the scrub guy," Luffy said.

"Gaimon. Island's rare beast guardian," Silk corrected.

"Can you help? We're about to fight," Kiri said.

Gaimon nodded. The cage lock broke, and Balloon flew to Ann, embracing her. "Thank you!" she cried.

"Don't wreck the ship," Kiri warned.

Spiegel emerged, bloodied but gripping a flame. "You'll pay!"

"Real sorcery," Kiri noted.

"Weaker than that old colonel," Zoro scoffed.

Pirates charged. Luffy's rubber kick scattered them. Zoro, wielding three swords, cut through, sending foes into the sea. The crew's strength was overwhelming. Ann and Balloon trembled, awestruck.

"Who are you people?" Ann gasped.

Kiri smiled. "Pirates. Like them."

"Pirates?!" Ann paled.

Spiegel faced Kiri, eyes blazing. "You dare ruin my plans? Sea King wannabes?"

"Our captain will be Sea King," Kiri said.

A hammer appeared in Spiegel's hand, swinging down. Kiri's paper-clad arm, sharp as a dragon's claw, shattered it. Spiegel conjured fire. Kiri's paper blocked it, burning harmlessly in midair. Spiegel, outmatched, backed away, fear overtaking his rage.

"Hey, you," Gaimon called.

Spiegel turned, relieved to face the small chest-man. "What? Stay out of this."

"I'm no friend of theirs, but poachers like you? I can't stand 'em. I protect rare beasts."

"Poacher? That Ruk's blood gives power!"

"Don't care!" Gaimon shot Spiegel's leg, then tackled him with a headbutt, knocking him out. Rolling away, Gaimon groaned, exhilarated but pained.

Luffy and Silk cheered. "Badass, old man!"

"True guardian," Silk added.

Gaimon, helped up, laughed. The deck was clear—pirates overboard, save Spiegel. The crew bantered, ignoring the chaos. Ann, grateful, bowed. "Thank you. I'll never forget this."

They turned to Balloon, debating if it was a panda or bird. Ann protested, "It's a Ruk!" but their playful argument drowned her out, a bond forged in battle.


Tip: You can use left, right, A and D keyboard keys to browse between chapters.