Chapter 3: Slaughter

[A/N: Nice and lengthy chapter, let me know your thoughts!]

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The second Ripper's dead body hit the floor, Vin could already sense the other pirates approaching.

His shout from before had done well to gather the attention of the rest of the crew.

"Oi, you hear that?" a voice barked from the main deck. "The hell's Ripper doin' now?"

"Sounded like somethin' heavy dropped...," another voice responded, closer this time, footsteps following right after. 

Vin had barely a moment to process the weight of his first kill before two crewmen rounded the corner, their eyes widening in shock at the sight of Ripper's body and the towering figure standing over it.

The larger one surprisingly moved first.

His hand went for the cutlass at his hip, but barely got the hilt free before Vin was already in front of him.

A fist like a sledgehammer drove into his chest with a sound like thunder, the impact so strong his ribs caved in with a wet crunch.

The pirate's eyes bulged as he flew backward, slamming into the wall with enough force to leave a man-shaped dent.

The smaller one froze. He didn't run or scream. He just stood there, eyes wide, breath caught in his throat like a fish hooked on a line.

Vin tilted his head, his gaze cold. "Go ahead," he said quietly, flicking his fingers toward the smaller pirate. "Draw it."

The smaller man twitched, his fingers barely grazing the dagger on his belt before Vin's fist had already crashed into his head.

CRACK

The man's body shot out like a rag doll, missing the wall his companion had crashed into and instead flying into the ocean. 

Vin walked forward, crouched over the larger pirate's limp body, and wiped his bloodied hands on the man's shirt without a second thought.

The man was still breathing, his broken chest heaving with shallow, wheezing gasps. Vin looked at him, tilting his head like he was inspecting a cracked vase.

"Ten more to go," he muttered, before gripping the man's neck with one hand.

The next second, the wheezing stopped.

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Back on the pirates' side, Ripper's shout and the impact from Vin slamming him could be heard and felt throughout the ship.

The two pirates closest had decided to go investigate. 

Most of the crew though, figured it was just Ripper roughing up the kid again and paid it no mind.

That was until a second bang echoed through the ship, louder and heavier than the first.

A few crew members snapped their heads toward the sound, just in time to see something fly off the side of the ship and splash into the sea below.

Alarm rippled through the deck, and within seconds, the crew were on their feet making their way towards the bathroom area to investigate. 

Just as the first pirate began to turn the corner, Vin, who sensed the group coming and had been waiting, moved. 

His foot shot out in an arc, catching the pirate square in the chest. The crack of bone echoed before the man was sent flying back, crashing into two others behind him.

The crew barely had time to react before Vin was on them, closing the distance in two quick steps.

His fist drove into the next pirate's jaw, a dull, solid impact that sent teeth scattering like coins.

Another lunged at him with a dagger, but Vin caught his wrist mid-swing, twisted hard, and flung the man headfirst into a wall with a thud that made the whole ship shudder.

A fourth pirate charged in from the side, swinging a rusted cutlass at his head.

Vin ducked low, his shoulder slamming into the man's gut, lifting him clean off his feet before driving him into the floorboards with a bone-rattling crash.

"Don't just stand there! Take him down!" The shout came just as Vin felt the swarm closing in around him.

Five pirates charged from all sides, weapons raised, eyes wild with desperation.

Vin's eyes narrowed. "Back up."

He clapped his hands together with a sharp crack, then pushed them outward, his arms moving like he was shoving away an invisible wall.

The shift was instant. The air around him bent with a low, deep rumble before everything exploded outward.

Pirates were ripped from the ground, their bodies flung backwards in every direction. One crashed into the mast with a sickening crunch, another slammed into the ship wall smashing through to the kitchen.

Two hit the deck with a thud, gasping for breath, while one spun wildly through the air before splashing into the sea.

"What the hell is going on out here?!" a booming voice suddenly roared from below deck.

The door to the captain's cabin flew open, and Greska stormed out, eyes locked on the chaos in front of him.

His gaze snapped from the groaning bodies scattered across the deck to Vin, standing tall in the center of it all. 

He froze for a moment, confusion flickering across his face as he took in Vin's new towering frame. 

"The brat we picked up? What the hell happened to you?" Greska barked, stepping further onto the deck before being hit with a moment of realization.

"So this is what's been keepin' me up at night," he muttered, his voice lower now.

His grip shifted to the axe on his back, fingers curling tight around the handle as he unsheathed it.

"Should've snuffed you out when I had the chance." He cursed. 

Grezka's eyes stayed locked on Vin. "Just how... you've been with us this whole time. How'd a runt like you get his hands on a legendary devil fruit?" 

Vin didn't answer right away.

He watched Greska, as the man that had ordered him to be held captive, finally realized the threat he had brought on board.

"You'll be dead before it matters," Vin finally said, his eyes steady.

The silence that followed was heavier than any threat.

Greska's eyes twitched. His fingers flexed around the handle of his axe.

His jaw tightened, "Cocky little shit." His voice was low and rough, "Let's see if it's enough."

For a heartbeat, neither of them moved.

Then Greska exploded.

With speed that defied his size, he surged forward, the deck creaking beneath his boots.

In just a few steps, he had already closed the distance, his shadow stretching over Vin as his axe came down in a brutal, sweeping arc aimed to split Vin clean in half.

Vin's eyes flicked up, his body already moving.

He shifted to the side, the edge of the axe slicing past him, close enough to feel the rush of air against his skin.

Before Greska could recover, Vin stepped in, his fist already swinging toward the captain's ribs.

At the last second before impact, Greska managed to twist his body, bracing himself as Vin's fist slammed into him.

"Ghhrk—!"

He staggered, boots scraping against the deck.

His teeth clenched as he locked eyes with Vin, a wild grin forming across his face.

"Heh... that all you got?" he growled, rolling his shoulder like he'd just taken a rough hit in a bar fight.

Vin's eyes didn't move from Greska. He took a slow step forward, fists still loose at his sides.

Greska spat to the side, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Come on then." He raised his axe, eyes locked onto Vin, his stance low and cautious.

Vin moved first this time.

His body blurred forward, fist shooting toward Greska's head.

CLANG!

Greska caught it with the flat of his axe, the force driving him back a step, "Hah… strong, but sloppy."

Vin didn't respond. His other hand shot forward, a straight punch aimed for Greska's gut.

This time, Greska twisted, but not fast enough. The punch hit his side like a cannonball, driving the air from his lungs.

"Gghh!" He stumbled back, boots thudding against the wood.

Vin didn't let up. He stepped in, throwing a sharp kick at Greska's knee.

CRACK!

Greska hissed through his teeth, his leg buckling for half a second before he caught himself. "Not bad… brat"

His eyes flashed with something wild as he lunged forward with a horizontal swing of his axe.

Vin ducked low, the blade whistling over his head, close enough to brush his hair.

"Too slow," he muttered, twisting his body and driving an elbow straight into Greska's chest.

THUD!

Greska grunted, feet sliding back, his breath coming harder now. His grin was gone, replaced with solemn look.

He planted his feet and raised his axe over his head.

"I'M GONNA SPLIT YOU IN HALF, BRAT!" he roared, bringing the axe down with both hands.

Vin's eyes flicked up. He took a step back, letting the axe crash into the deck with a deafening crack as wood splintered beneath it.

The moment the axe got stuck, Vin stepped forward, gripping Grezka's arm with both hands and yanking towards him.

"Get over here."

Greska stumbled, his balance lost for a moment, his eyes flashing with panic. "Shit!"

Vin's knee shot up, burying itself into Greska's gut with a dull, heavy THUMP.

Spit flew from Greska's mouth, and his body folded forward, his grip on the axe loosening.

Vin's eyes glanced down, catching sight of a sword lying a few feet away, half-hidden by one of the unconscious pirates.

Without hesitation, he extended his hand, fingers spread wide. A moment later, the blade shot toward him, skidding across the deck before landing firmly in his grasp.

Greska coughed hard, gasping for air as he tried to push himself back upright. "You think... you think this makes you strong?" he muttered, his voice hoarse but defiant. "You think one little fruit makes you a king?!"

Vin crouched, eyes on Greska the whole time, and wrapped his hand around the hilt of the sword.

"No," he said quietly, rising to his feet with the blade in his hand. "It just makes you weak."

Greska's eyes widened as he saw the blade flash. He raised his arms to block, but it was too late.

SHLICK.

The sword cut clean through his forearm guard, biting deep into his shoulder.

"AAARGH!" Greska roared, staggering back, his face twisted in pain as blood soaked his coat.

He stumbled, breathing ragged, his eyes darting between Vin and the blade in his hand.

His breathing grew heavier, his chest rising and falling like a bellows.

"Tch... not like this," Greska muttered, blood dripping from his lips. His gaze hardened, eyes locked on Vin. "I.. I...I'm not going down that easy!"

He lunged forward, one final swing of his axe, wild and reckless.

But Vin was already moving.

He sidestepped, turning his body just enough for the axe to swing past him.

Stepping in close, he raised the sword in a clean, sharp motion.

SWISH.

For a second, everything was still.

Greska stood there, mouth half-open, his eyes wide with shock.

The sound of something thudding against the deck echoed loud and clear.

It was Greska's axe.

His eyes slowly drifted down to his chest, where a red stain was already spreading. He coughed once, his eyes glazed over with disbelief.

"Impossible..." he muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

Vin said nothing, his gaze cold.

Greska's knees buckled, and his body dropped forward, landing face-first on the bloodstained deck with a hollow thud.

Vin stood over him, wiping the blade on Greska's coat before tossing it aside.

"Zero remaining," Vin muttered to himself. 

[A/N: Vote with you power stones below!!]