8 Chapter 7 - I'm no ordinary traveler

The tavern was filled with men drinking different kinds of alcohol, each one cheery and talking about their day. The atmosphere in here was very different than it was outside, one would feel like they were in a totally different place.

"Hey Dave!"

One man held his cup up high as he called out to Dave. He waved for Dave to come over and greet him.

"Give me a moment will you?"

"Sure, go ahead."

Bob did not mind Dave leaving him, he didn't need anyone to help him get food. He went up to the counter where a pretty waiter was. She had short golden colored hair and a bandana wrapped around her arm.

"Get me a plate of your finest steak. Also some beer if you would."

"Coming right up."

Bob ordered his foot right away as he sat down on the stool.

The first thing she did was pour him some beer, after which she started cooking his steak right in front of him. He had to say, it was much larger than the steaks in his world.

"Haven't seen you around before, a traveler?"

The woman asked him.

"Yeah, just stopping here to resupply then i'll be on my way."

Bob replied to her swiftly, he didn't mind small talk.

"Good, best to be on your way out of her as quickly as possible."

"Hmm, you too? Dave told me the same thing, surely things can't be that bad here can they?"

"Oh they are trust me, this here is the only place people come to relax. As long as we pay on time they don't bother us much."

"I see, speaking of that… Dave said this island was split into two factions. Which side is this tavern part of?"

The woman looked up at Bob before she spoke.

"It's on the pirate's side. Granted we have to pay more than we did before, but they are the ones who constantly come here. It doesn't really matter which side I go to, both parties would bring in profit. All the money they collect, i'd say twenty percent of it comes right through here."

"That much aye? Guess being the owner of a tavern comes with its perks. You pay them, they give you more back in return. Ha, or something like that."

"Yeah, what about you. Are you just a traveler or a pirate? But if you were a pirate, you'd have a crew."

Bob fanned his hand.

"Nah, not a pirate. Do I really look like the pirate type? Also, don't even dare to bring up being a marine. That's not something I want to do."

"Then what are you? Surely not a lonely traveler."

Bob laughed a little.

"Alright, you got me. I'm no ordinary traveler, i'm actually aiming to become a bounty hunter."

"Is that why you're carrying that sword of yours? Honestly, just front the way you carried yourself I was sure you were a pirate."

"No ma'am. I enjoy my freedom and being chased by marines isn't a good way to keep it."

"That's true. Here, your steaks done."

"Many thanks!"

Bob started to dig into his steak.

He couldn't remember the last time he had a steak. It was big, thick and juicy. Truly mouth watering.

As soon as Bob took the first bite, he felt as if he ascended to heaven thats how good it was.

Bang!

The taverns door burst open and the lively atmosphere was cut in half.

People stopped talking and all their actions seemed to cease. The only one still moving was Bob, who seemed to not hear or understand what was going on. You could hear the sound of his fork and knife clanging against each other as he cut his steak.

At the tavern door was a dark skinned man with a goatee, he was wearing a thin vest and at his side was a blade. There were six other men with him as well, each one looking tougher than the last.

The spotlight was shined on them and no one dared to take it away.

Except Bob, who continued to make noise causing everyone to look in his direction.

"Whose this guy? He dares to continue eating?"

One of the men uttered in disgust.

"Hey you. Don't you know how to show any respect?"

Bob either did not hear them or ignored them completely as he continued to eat.

The woman in front of him tapped the counter, and Bob looked up.

"Yes?"

He asked.

"Those fellows are talking to you."

"Kk, hold on almost done."

Bob replied as he was just about finished with his steak. This was the fastest he ever ate, it was almost gone and he just started.

Right as Bob was about to stab his fork into the steak, someone swiped his plate from him causing it to hit the floor. Bob looked disappointed and stared at the steak on the ground.

"My steak…"

"It'll be more than just your steak if you don't listen to Jimmy here. When he calls you, you answer! Ya here me?"

Bob looked at the man next to him then he looked over his shoulder and saw this so called 'Jimmy'. He figured it was the guy standing in the middle of the group.

Bob grabbed his cup of beer and turned around in his stool. After taking a sip of his beer, he asked them what they wanted.

"So, what can I do for you fellows?"

"Y-you!"

The pirate next to Bob was about to speak up but the man named Jimmy raised his hand to stop him.

"You need to put some respect on my name. I'm a pirate worth 10 million beli."

The man started to brag about how great his was, normal villain type of stuff. Bob pretended to listen as he continued to drink his beer.

"Are you even listening to me?"

"No… not really."

That was the last draw, the man drew his blade and pointed it at Bob.

"That's it, we're making an example of you today! Get'em boys!"

With one command the people who followed him started to move.

"This is good! I need to test my skills, you'll be the first."

Bob said as he drew his sword. His movements were much more elegant than his foe. It had a certain grace behind it.

Bob swung his sword. Before the pirate next to him could react his left arm was cut off.

"Oops, too much strength. I'll be more careful with the others."

Bob was honestly surprised by his own strength, he only had 100 AD. He did not know how that converted to strength in the One Piece world, but it shouldn't be that high. However, he was proved wrong as he just cut off a persons arm with ease.

This guy could be considered cannon fodder, but still this was a bit too easy. Guess it was the perk of being a maxed out character.

"Wha!"

The man started to scream as blood gushed out.

"What happened! What did you do to him?"

Bob pointed to the man who all but fainted on the ground.

"I cut him, used a bit too much strength than needed but like I said i'll be more careful from now on."

The man looked at his crewmate.

"Did you see what happened?"

"No… I just saw him draw his sword. But cutting… thats a bit fast isn't it?"

"Don't just stand there, get him!"

Jimmy roared out in rage.

The two men looked at each other and shook their head.

"You just saw what happened, and your telling us to jump in head first? Hell no, you go first!"

"Skip this! Let's just go tell the captain, Jimmy you can handle this right?"

Bob was surprised, he imagined that Jimmy was the captain of these guys. Turns out, he wasn't.

"Wait… if he's not the captain then who is?"

Bob asked.

"You don't know?"

"No."

"Then you better run before we return or else Greybeards going to turn you to toast."

"Greybread? Never heard of him."

"He has a bounty of 50 million beli, and a devil fruit. You best run, this is your last chance."

The two men left, leaving just 4 left.

"We can take him. Do you guys really want to captain to come here personally? You know his temper, if he comes here to deal with this none of us are leaving alive."

Jimmy urged the rest of them to move.

His words seemed to work as the other 3 guys drew their weapons.

'If a normal cut is too strong for these guys, then guess my skills would turn them into ash. Better save it for someone stronger.' Bob thought to himself.

He didn't give them much time to move as he used Grand Blessing on himself for that burst of movement speed.

He appeared in front of them in an instant and slashed out with his sword.

The fight was pretty anticlimactic. These guys were too weak for Bob. He used the backside of his blade so their limbs were still in tatc. The only thing they felt was immense pain.

Dave came over to Bob slowly and his mouth kept opening and closing.

"Y-you… you said you were just a traveler! No normal traveler is able to do what you've done!"

"Oh shucks, please continue to praise me!"

"No no no! You should run, those guys were just the runt of Greybeards crew. He has over a hundred men under his command. I don't doubt your skill, but no one can take on a hundred people by themselves! You should leave before they come back!"

Bob patted Dave on the shoulder.

"Dave, you're a good man."