15 Part 15 - No Limits

The crew exited the staircase and entered onto a huge room. Rows upon rows of tables were lined up, most occupied by shady dealers and their recurring gaming customers. At the back was a bar that stretched from one end of the room to the other. Manning this were several men, all armed to the teeth and baring plenty of scars from previous scraps to intimidate troublemakers.

"Whatever you do, don't stare anyone in the eyes too long. This casino houses many dangerous criminals. For example, the Bun-Man used to be an assassin wanted for over 200 million Beli but faked his death to complete his lifelong ambition of becoming a baker." Sam warned.

"Wait... a baker?" Nargo started chuckling.

"Why are you laughing? It's a profession that only the most elite can do. It rivals that of the legendary fisherman aspiration!" Sam argued.

The crew carefully started walking round, whilst Sam searched for the informant. A hooded, large man approached the group and grinned, "Vaeg is that you, buddy ole pal?"

"You must have the wrong person dipshit. Now move from my sight before I give you some special therapy." Vaeg gave off a seriously chilly vibe.

"Aha classic Vaeg. Anyways, it was nice seeing you again." The man laughed, walking away.

"Did you kn-" Jimmy started.

"I said I don't know him. Do you have wax stuck in your ears or something?" Vaeg interrupted.

"Let's just keep going, before we start drawing attention to ourselves." Belsari suggested.

"Who the fuck made you boss?" Nargo protested.

Sam suddenly waved them over and all arguing ceased momentarily. As they approached Sam, they immediately saw who their informant was. She was a middle-aged woman with jet black hair and stormy grey eyes. Slamming down her cards she exclaimed, "Ha! I beat you insect. Royal bloody flush!"

Placing handcuffs on the man, she ordered a couple of guards to 'take him where the rest are.' She then turned round and saw Sam. She grinned and yelled, "Long time, no see brother. What brings you to my humble abode?"

"It's has been a while sis. I apologize but I brought some guests who may be willing to gamble with my little devil." Sam said, introducing the Vaeg pirates.

"I've heard about you guys. You're really starting make a name for yourselves, aren't ya? What do you guys want to obtain through gambling?" The woman smiled charismatically.

Sam explained that the group and him are trying to find the Black Dagger pirates base of operations.

"I do know where that is. Although, it was a couple of months ago I did a job for them so who knows? They might've left but that's very unlikely. However, information doesn't come cheap, not even for my older brother."

"Name your bet." Nargo said.

"If I win, I get to own your vampire friend. Don't worry, I know he has an ability to camouflage, so I'm sure he's listening right now."

The crew looked towards Whatz D Face confused, but he just shrugged his shoulders.

"And if you beat me, which is impossible, I'll give you any information you require and this..." She lifted a small treasure chest, "I'm sure you know what's in this."

Vaeg leaned forwards and whispered something in her ear. She blushed and said, "Oh my. You're a bold one." She turned back to the crew, still blushing, "D-do you accept my terms unconditionally? I forgot to mention we'll be playing blackjack."

Nargo and Vaeg instantly said yes, without thinking of the repercussions of losing a crewmate if they lost.

"Hang on! Are you really betting someone's life without their consent?" Jimmy argued.

"Loosen up, long nose runt. You gotta live fast and enjoy life at its fullest." Vaeg said, "Anyways, I'll be playing blackjack with her. So just kick back, relax and laugh it off."

Whatz D Face for the second time ever, lost his composure and started having a mental breakdown. Tim Tim sat near him to comfort him whilst Jimmy held his head in his hands.

The deck was shuffled and set as the two gamblers went face to face. The cards were dealt and the two of them stared down at their cards. Both then indicated for another card. The cards were dealt. When she received hers, she awkwardly dropped her cards and picked them up. She then stated she didn't require any more, but Vaeg demanded another card. His card was dealt. With no-one noticing, he had managed to substitute what would've made him bust into a perfect 21.

They laid their cards on the table. Vaeg had won 21-20.

"Oh my goodness. I actually lost. I'll honour my end of the bargain." She winked at Vaeg.

Vaeg quickly opened the chest and bit into the fruit. He stomached the entire thing without even wincing, which mortified Whatz D Face and Nargo as they vividly remembered the atrocious, nasty taste of a devil fruit. Vaeg then turned back round to the woman.

"Well come on then slut, we still need to talk in the back about a private issue." Vaeg said.

"Y-yes master- oh I mean Vaeg."

They both slipped into the back office in the corner of the room whilst the now rejuvenated Whatz D Face jumped around, ecstatic about keeping his freedom.

"What do you think they need to discuss, Mister Jimmy?" Tim Tim asked.

"Uh... grown up stuff." Jimmy said awkwardly.

"Is that a joke about my height? You know I'm 16 in a few months. I should be allowed to know grown up stuff." Tim Tim complained.

It sounded like something switched on. The loudspeaker then demonstrated what Vaeg's grown up stuff was about to the entire casino. Grunting, slander, anything you could imagine basically. Jimmy covered Tim Tim's ears whilst Sam may have thrown up after hearing his sweet innocent sister's voice.

A tall man at the bar, blonde hair and sharp teeth started to laugh. For some reason, the surrounding people started clapping almost unnaturally. A painful scream echoed out from Sam's sister and then the woman said, "That only makes things better."

Finally, the Vaeg broadcast stopped and everyone was relieved but were probably scarred for the rest of their life. Sam's sister exited the office first, her neat hair, now in a mess, and she looked exhausted. Vaeg, however, was a different story. He came out in what was basically an exoskeleton. Bones were protruding everywhere, and he looked like a mini impenetrable fortress.

Vaeg pointed at Sam and exclaimed, "Your family is the greatest. You can morph your body into a dildo and your sister can well..."

"Vaeg that's a little too far." Jimmy said.

"I. Never. Want. To. Speak. To. You. Again." Sam shouted angrily.

"I don't know what you swabbies are going on about? We only had a little chat. Nothing more." Vaeg lied, smiling carefree.

"My kind gentleman, the loudspeakers were on." Whatz D Face explained.

"Were you jealous hearing her scream? I mean next time... you could join in old geezer!" Vaeg winked.

Whatz D Face held back Sam to stop him from attempting to murder Vaeg. Although, the exoskeleton would've made it hard. Nargo went over and fist bumped Vaeg.

"That's what I'm fucking talking about! Get in Doctor Vaeg!"

"Nargo! You shouldn't be encouraging this behaviour!" Jimmy said, still covering Tim Tim's ears.

Wanting to get out quickly after the unimaginable humiliation, Sam said, "Give us where the Black Daggers are."

She hesitated, still dazed by her experience with Vaeg. "Um... uh... I think it was on Kuen island. They made a deal with the mayor, so they're operating under his manor."

"THAT is all we came here for Syr. Be surprised if I don't disown you by tomorrow." Sam said to his sister whilst glaring at Vaeg. Vaeg just laughed and flipped him off.

"Oh another thing. Marines are investigating heavily and there are rumours they'll raid the place soon. So be on guard." Syr said this whilst winking at Vaeg. "And remember, you're welcome back anytime. Especially you master Vaeg."

Sam hurriedly ushered the crew out whilst everyone in the casino spoke and mocked him behind his back. Once they returned to the surface, the Bun-Man greeted them again.

"So, how were my honey iced doughnuts?"

"They... they were great Bun-Man." Jimmy said, comforting the now laughing-stock Sam.

"I can't wait to rub this into monkey man's face." Vaeg said, quietly scheming like usual.

The crew gathered back on the boat after searching a while for open shops that sold supplies. Alas, none were open.

Vaeg recounted his adventure to Barbosa with disturbingly good detail. Leroy and Jenkins were informed of the plan and so the crew set sail to the nearly island of Kuen. The island unofficially owned by pirates.