The Pirate Festival

A week passed, and we soon arrived on the island where the Pirate Festival was being held.

The crew immediately roared and cheered in celebration upon seeing other pirate ships docked along the shores of the island.

"Finally! We made it!!!" One pirate cried.

"It felt like it was taking forever!!" Another pirate exclaimed, slumping himself on the floor of the deck.

I had been hearing them talk from the cabin while I had been sleeping. I guess it was finally time to get out of bed and stretch my legs for a bit.

"Ho? Are you finally done slouching about in bed?" Stussy asked curiously, walking up to me with a tray holding a fresh cup of coffee and a newspaper.

"You could have joined me at any point of time, but you didn't," I remarked.

"Someone had to lead them, they would be chaotic if left alone," Stussy explained.

Picking up the newspaper, I read through the top headlines that were of concern to me.

"World Conscription...interesting," I remarked.

"They're probably doubling their forces, it was a smart move on their part," Stussy commented.

"Are the forces they currently have insufficient?"

"No, but they are getting old," Stussy replied, pouring herself a cup of tea.

"Oh well, that's their problem. I wanna take a walk for a bit, do you want to come with me?" I asked.

"Of course! You did promise me a 'vacation' did you not? I'm planning on holding you to that promise," Stussy replied.

"What are you going to be doing, Pato?" I asked towards the eaves-dropping Racoon Dog.

"I-I'm gonna follow Ken! He said that he knows all the fun spots in the festival! I also want to eat some new food, too!" Pato replied excitedly.

Pato was now fully integrated with the 0 Division. He had even began running drills with the rest of the crew and doing some other activities that the crew had accustomed to. It was hard for him at first, but he was slowly beginning to become adjusted as time passed by.

He even managed to reach elementary levels of the six Rokushiki techniques. He was still learning though, but he was getting better as days past. He wouldn't learn Haki until he had fully mastered the six techniques to an intermediate level.

"That's a good idea, Pato, the whole point of this journey was to make sure everyone has a good time," Stussy said, patting Pato on the head.

I left the cabin to meet the rest of the crew who were getting ready to dock the ship. 

We had been given a number to call to ask for a docking spot when we arrived on the island. I had Ken call them and ask for a docking spot, and they wasted no time getting us a nice spot that wasn't too far from the direction that we would be exiting after the festival.

It wasn't a surprise to hear Marines infiltrating these kinds of events to try and arrest certain individuals. The Pirates had probably assumed that no Marines or World Government agents would lay foot on the island, if they only knew the lengths they would go to.

So for that matter, an effective escape route was vital for us. That was only if we didn't want to start a conflict on the island. I even have the navigator map out an effective route away from the island before we even got close to it.

Anyway, we soon docked on the island and we all managed to land on the ground.

"Guys, you already know what we're here to do!" Ken started, "make sure to keep an eye out for each other, and more importantly, have fun!!!"

The entire crew cheered as they fanned out to do whatever they wanted. Our jolly roger remained flying proudly above the sails as the ship was now anchored to the port. 

Looking at the ship from the outside, it wasn't a pretty sight to see. It had obviously seen better days, but the ship remained sturdy and reliable as always. I almost felt like I'd miss the ship when we get our new one from Tom. However, that feeling could always change over time.

"Well then, Boris, now that they're gone. Shall we go on that walk you were talking about earlier?" Stussy smiled before she leaned on my arm.

I hadn't worn my hoodie, so my face was out there for everyone to see. However, that didn't matter much, I don't think many would be able to recognize me instantly, especially since I've been quiet for a little next to a year.

We walked along the stalls as we saw different pirates selling guns, drugs and even slaves. They even bartered if they found that they had different items that the two parties wanted. However, what I really wanted to find was a smoke shop.

I carefully looked through each stall to see any sign of a smoke shop. I hadn't smoked in a week, and I was slowly beginning to crave the feeling of smoke filling my lungs. I couldn't even get cancer from it because my lungs have always regenerated after a certain period.

Stussy didn't mind my investigation for a smoke shop, and I eventually did find the smoke shop. It had been hidden cleverly within a certain shopping area within the festival. 

I barged in without remorse before scouring for my favorite brand of cigarettes. Stussy immediately let go of my arm as she watched me comb through the cabinets for my favorite brand of cigarettes.

"Finally!"

I immediately began taking as many packs of the cigarettes as I possibly could. 

Placing them right in front of the tabletop for the clerk. I looked at the woman before asking:

"Do you have any more of this brand? I want the whole stock."

Unfortunately, the lady shook her head, and charged me for all the cigarettes that I brought to her.

I immediately broke into one and lit one before I left the store. Letting the aroma fill my lungs and submerging me back to the pleasant euphoria that I had left for quite a bit.

"Boris, I think you might be an addict," Stussy commented.

"I think I might be as well," I agreed.

She didn't even let me finish it. Because she had immediately spotted a little inn that was right across the smoke shop. Her eyes flashed before she grabbed me with her superhuman strength and dragged me to the inn.

"Excuse me, can we have a room for the night?" Stussy asked the inn keeper with a kind smile.

"Unfortunately we're out of..." The inn keeper looked like he was about to deny our request before Stussy looked deep into her eyes.

"We'll....we'll clear it out for you as soon as possible," the inn keeper replied before immediately rushing off towards a corridor.

Soon, I heard screams and yells coming from the corridor that the inn keeper had gone to. This was followed by a running naked man running out with a young woman out of the inn.

"I won't forget this! I'll get my crew to demolish and raze this goddamn inn to the ground, you hear?" The man roared as he left in a hurry.

The woman followed him closely after. Shooting daggers at the innkeeper before leaving the inn in the same manner as the man.

After a few minutes of silence, the inn keeper returned to us and gave us a key. Stussy immediately took it before dragging and throwing me into the room that we had just got.

"Get ready~" Stussy smiled as she slowly took her clothes off, "We're going to enjoy a lo~ng vacation~"