Resentment

The sound of fighting outside grew increasingly intense, but it had little to do with the three people in the cabin.

William leaned against the wall with his arms crossed, staring intently at Claw, whose expression was turning uglier by the second. Hutchinson, on the other hand, was less brash than he appeared, sipping his drink and attempting to make casual conversation with Claw.

Claw remained as cold as ever, responding sparingly, if at all.

This wasn't the first time Redbeard Barbarossa had placed Claw under "protective custody." In similar situations, when prey conveniently fell into their trap, Barbarossa rarely handed over the spoils so easily.

Claw gave Hutchinson a few half-hearted replies before losing patience with William's unyielding gaze and snide expression. Finally, with an irritated tone, he snapped, "What are you staring at me for?"

"I can't help it. The captain ordered me to watch over you and keep you safe. With how frail you look, I'm worried that if I take my eyes off you for a second, you'll end up battered and bruised. How would I explain that to the captain?" William retorted mockingly.

He was deliberately provoking Claw, and it seemed to be working. Claw sprang to his feet, storming up to William. William straightened up as well, resting his hand on the hilt of his curved blade, ready for a fight.

But Hutchinson quickly stepped between the two, determined to prevent a brawl. After some effort, he managed to defuse the tension.

Time dragged on, and the muffled sounds of combat outside gradually subsided. After a long silence, heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor, growing louder as they approached the cabin.

Though the Redbeard Pirates were unlikely to be defeated so easily, the three men instinctively tensed up.

When the menacing bald head of Hayreddin appeared in the doorway, they finally relaxed.

Hayreddin, his curved blade dripping with blood, gave William and Hutchinson a cursory glance before fixing his attention on Claw, whose face was still clouded with displeasure. "The fight's over," Hayreddin said nonchalantly. "You can go count the loot now."

William's earlier taunts had already infuriated Claw, and Hayreddin's offhanded tone only added fuel to the fire.

In his frustration, Claw couldn't help but sarcastically remark, "'Finally' over? I wonder how much of the loot is even left this time."

Hayreddin, unaware of the prior cabin drama, was not one to take such remarks lightly. He was notorious for his vindictiveness.

Although Claw's comment was merely snide, Hayreddin's eyes narrowed dangerously. A sly, malicious smile spread across his face. "Oh? Got a problem with that?"

The moment the words left his mouth, Claw regretted them. On the Redbeard Pirates' ship, it didn't take long to learn that Hayreddin, despite being the weakest of the Redbeard brothers, was the most difficult to deal with.

Perhaps it was because he was the youngest and most spoiled, or perhaps it was the scars from past trauma. Either way, his volatile temperament often led to severe punishments—or worse—over the slightest grievances.

Claw knew that Hayreddin wouldn't hesitate to act, regardless of his position.

He wanted to backtrack, but he could feel William's mocking gaze on him, and his pride wouldn't let him bow down immediately. His lips trembled as if to speak, but the delay only made things worse in Hayreddin's eyes.

"So, you really do have a problem, huh?" Hayreddin sneered, his tone turning icy.

He tilted his head, studying Claw for a moment, before suddenly barking, "Hold him down!"

Without hesitation, Hutchinson grabbed one of Claw's arms, while William, slower to react, restrained the other.

Claw instinctively struggled, surprising William with the strength of his grip—his fingers, evidently well-trained, dug painfully into William's arm.

However, Claw quickly stopped resisting. He knew that Hayreddin might not be particularly powerful on his own, but as a representative of Redbeard Barbarossa, he commanded the respect of the entire crew. Defying him could only end in death.

The Redbeard Pirates were no bastion of democracy. Challenging Barbarossa's authority meant certain death.

With both arms firmly restrained, Claw was forced to his knees. Gritting his teeth, he looked up at Hayreddin and forced himself to remain calm. "Mr. Hayreddin, you know who I am. You can't kill me."

"Of course I know who you are," Hayreddin replied with a vicious grin. "I won't kill you. But it seems you've forgotten who you are. Let me remind you."

With those words, Hayreddin swung his blade, the flat of it striking Claw's face with a resounding crack.

Claw's head snapped to the side, his glasses flying off as a red welt immediately began to swell.

"You're a pirate now," Hayreddin growled, glaring down at him. "Drop the noble act. Remember your place on this ship and watch your tone when you speak to me!"

Hayreddin struck him again with the blade, the blow...

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