It's the thrill in the end. In that moment when something stolen becomes mine
or is it? That's the bliss I desire.
Jackal wasn't sure if it was evident in his sluggish movements or tattered breathing but Gilbard began the process of cleaning the Mink's wound, patching him from the traumatic experience. Though, if Jackal was being completely honest with himself, he was immensely null to torture after at this point. His mind entered into a place where it's almost introspective, removing himself from the situation and reminiscing about the old days on Zou. Amalia dipped her cup into the 'Dessert Juice' ignoring Gilbard's warnings,
"I'm a big girl. I can handle myself. Besides. I'm thirsty!" Amalia exclaimed, chugging the alcoholic concoction down in one gobble. Accepting the medical aid, Gil's scaly hands inspected the Mink's various wounds and lacerations, however it was odd, Jackal expected the Fishman's hands to be cold for some reason but oddly, much like him, his hands carried a certain warmth to them. Strange, the same kind of bias Lesser Mink's showed towards him, even at the smallest degree, Jackal's ignorance was a humbling experience.
Gil proceeded to prepare his tools using the purified Cactus Juice mixture, and warned Jackal of the impending pain.
"Shishishi... It can't be that-" Jackal exclaimed before the first dab of cotton wool sent a electrifying sensation throughout his whole body.
"FUCK!" Jackal shouted. After several more profanities, escape attempts and immense squirming, Jackal was finally patched up, as the process of cutting out the dead flesh, coating it in the ointment then with bandages came to a close, Jackal now resembled that of a zombie, or Shishio from Rurouni Kenshin, but a bandaged Mink none the less. Gilbard would re-position himself about three feet or so, making himself comfortable in the sand and assuming an odd sleeping stance, though, Jackal noticed moments later that he was engaging in some kind of prayer or meditation type ritual.
Resting backwards gently against the sand, remaining at his position around the perimeter of the bond fire, Jackal stared at the bright stars that captivated the night sky. Jackal was about to start conversation with Gilbard once again, there was so much he still didn't understand about the Fishmen Race, that he'd want to genuinely cover to not offend the man but that'd be a conversation for another time. After a few hours, Jackal would rise up once again, as his stomach was the motivator to push through the pain, moving gingerly making sure not to reopen any of his wounds, or else Gilbard probably would've had a fit. Placing a pot above the campfire, Jackal would empty several cans of beans into the pot, stirring it with some makeshift utensils that Amalia had provided prior. Gilbard had looked awake but his eyes were close, either in deep meditation or maybe that's how he slept, either way, Jackal was alarmed when Amalia arms wrapped around his neck into a neck hold. Bellowing out,
"What's wrong with you Lesser Mink!?" Jackal inquired, trying his hardest not to electrocute the woman, as his fear of being touched by humans, hadn't exactly completely disappeared. Hiccuping feverishly,
"Why can't I join yer' crew Jackal!?" Amalia shouted, with droplets of tears in your eyes.
"Look. I told you I'm not sure how I feel about travelling with humans just yet. I'm working on-" Jackal's speech was cut short by the feel of Amalia's teeth sinking into his shoulder.
"Bad Jackal!" Amalia shouted pouting, continuing to hiccup in a mad furry.
"Oi! You think I'm just some dog you can tame by biting-" Jackal's said, before screeching out from the awkwardness of this situation.
"Is it because I don't have enough fur!? You prefer Mink Women!? Don't just say nothing Jackal! Answer me when I'm talking to yer!" Amalia shouted, slurring her words in every aspect of the sentence.
"What in the... Gilbard-" Jackal attempted to shout but his pleas were silenced by Amalia's drunken body passing out on top of the Mink. Without enough energy to move her, Jackal was squashed by the woman's body, and the Mink and Human, slept together for the first time as Jackal's beans burned on the open fire. The next morning, Jackal was awakened by the woman's scream and feel her slap against his cheek due to the position she'd regained consciousness in. Finally breaking her hold on the poor Mink, Jackal returned to standing forming, checking his body for the feel of his muscles and sustained injuries.
"Shishishi... Whatever you did worked wonders. I'm still a bit sore no doubt but I feel ten times better than yesterday drudging through this heat with these wounds. Thanks." Jackal explained, shooting the Fishman his devilish grin.
Ignoring Amalia's questions about what happened last night, the party traversed finally arriving at Nanohana Port, only to find the port left in ruins and scorched by burn marks. Someone had not only wrecked the port but set a series of ships on fire.
From the sand dune that the posse stood on overlooking the port, Jackal tried to assess the situation using his Kenbunshoku Haki. Expanding his mind's eye outward over a thirty meter radius, he'd see a sea of marines providing aid to the dock owners, citizens and shipwrights.
"What in the world happened here..." Jackal murmured to himself.
"This is terrible." Amalia exclaimed, covering her mouth and nose to combat the smell of charring wood and flesh.
"With that much bounty on your head, I don't think you should be walking around exposed like that old friend." a familiar voice called, approaching from the east.
"Shishishi... Well... I didn't think the dock would've been under such turmoil. Was this your doing, Sinbad!?" Jackal inquired grinning.
"No way." Sinbad exclaimed, displaying a shocked expression.
"I've abandoned my life as bandit in these last few months. I've been studying navigation in the Capital but I came here to seek out sea charts from the locals. However, it seems that Sandy Harbour has suffered two attacks by two separate pirate groups." Sinbad reported.
"Pirates?" Jackal responded.
"I wonder if it was Gin and his men..." Jackal pondered.
"Yeah. The first attack was by a Giant Fishman, around thirty plus feet they say, goes by the name of 'Oceanus' or Cetus Neptune. The next attack was by a pirate whose bounty is even higher than yours... A man by the name of Bazil 'Warhead' Styx." Sinbad explained.
"Bazil... That's that crazy guy I was suppose to tell you about Gilbard. Before the incident at the castle, I made a journey out to Rainbase to hunt down another Bandit King. During the incident, a red head with a Mohawk wrecked the place. He could've transformed his body into canons or armed weapons for the most part." Jackal concluded.
"If you ever meet him again, be careful. That man's said to murder civilians in a heartbeat with no remorse." Sinbad explained.
"Cetus... Bazil... I'll remember their names." Jackal stated, atop his spotted duck.
"What's the next move now Amalia? We can't exactly go mucking around for a ship now? This place is swarming with Marines and we're outnumbered." Jackal inquired.
"No clue. It'd be suicide to broker the vessel the regular way now. The natives are definitely not going to be friendly towards 'pirates' such as yourselves. Well, probably Gilly would get away but seeing as they might have a fear of Fishmen now... That'd be also out the window." Amalia explained.
"A Fishman and A Human Lover... You sure know how to keep your party lively, Jackal." Sinbad exclaimed, taunting the group.
"L-L-" Amalia repeatedly stammered, trying to sound the word 'Lover'.
"I don't keep anyone. Gilbard's a good pal of mine. Gilbard. Meet Sinbad. He used to be the Right Hand Man of The Notorious Bandit, Barron. Before I squashed his ass. You already know Amalia." Jackal exclaimed grinning.
"Maybe I've comeback for revenge on my former boss?" Sinbad said, reaching for the dagger at his waist playfully. The two stared each other down momentarily, only breaking out into laughter. Hopping off his camel, and Jackal off his duck, the duo extended their fist towards each other to honour their reunion with a fist-bump.
"So you've come looking for ship huh?" Sinbad inquired.
"It's about time. I can't keep ignoring the 'Pirate' part of my 'Mink Bandit Pirate' moniker for any longer. The seas are calling me. Though, I have one more thing to finish up here on Sandy." Jackal explained.
"Oh? Sounds like trouble. If you want a ship however,I'd recommend Barron's Old Ship. Still works like a beaut' and it's on the partof the harbour unaffected from the flames and attacks." Sinbad exclaimed grinning.
"What's the catch 22?" Jackal inquired.
"Barron's Vessel was said to be so fast, it'd out speed smaller crafts and it'd have the sturdiness to take blows like a Warship. It was gift to him by his Marine Mentor at the time. As a result, after going awol, Barron's former Marnie Superior's commanded the Government of Alabasta to lock away the ship in a Docking Container to the South of here. The sails might need changing but it should be in tip top condition. Barron was always planning to get it back after he'd conquered Nanohana." Sinbad explained.
"He didn't exactly calculate for a certain meddling Mink and a National Hero." Sinbad concluded smiling.
"What's the ship's name?" Jackal inquired.
"They call it the Black Barron." Sinbad retorted.