Clouds poured into the sky again, plunging the island of Jaya into impenetrable darkness.
Nelson's Tavern was brightly lit and noisy.
Murphy quietly pushed open the tavern door and walked inside.
Looking around, he didn't see a single familiar face, even among the working bartenders.
Looks like Nelson has hired new staff again!
Murphy chose a place, sat down and, stopping a passing bartender, asked point blank, "Where's Nelson?"
"What do you want?" the bartender asked warily.
- Don't be nervous, my friend, I'm not looking for trouble. A fortnight ago I was doing the same job as you.
- What is your name?
- Murphy.
Murphy answered honestly, because until the truth was revealed, he would behave politely and courteously.
- Wait a minute, I'll ask.
Murphy's strength was unremarkable, and he was dressed in the same clothes with patches. So, probably because of his harmless appearance, the bartender went to find out without further hesitation.
A moment later the bartender returned.
"The boss wants you to go to the back room. He said you knew where it was," the bartender glanced at Murphy and, with that, went back to his work.
Murphy did know what room they were talking about, but he had never set foot in it during his entire tenure there. After all, on his first day on the job he had been told that he was not allowed to enter the room without permission.
At first they didn't let me in, and now they're inviting me there? he thought.
Murphy rubbed his nose and chuckled slightly. Now he knew it was time to show his cards...
Walking down the hallway to the end and reaching the door to the back room, Murphy simply pushed it open.
Before he could look around, he immediately noticed a flag hanging on the wall. It was clearly a pirate flag with a skull with sharp teeth, just like Nelson's tattoo.
"This is the flag of our pirate crew, the Sharptooths. Do you like it? I bet it's the first time you've seen it?" a familiar voice rang out.
Murphy looked in the direction of the voice. Nelson was dressed as usual, but without a gun. He was sitting on the couch, legs crossed, a bottle of rum in his hand, raising it in Murphy's direction. About a dozen people were playing cards loudly near him, and now that Murphy had stepped inside, they all looked his way.
Murphy recognized a few people—his former colleagues—but most were strangers.
- So this tavern is actually the base of the Sharptooth pirate crew?
He had previously thought that Nelson's rough appearance was for self-defense, but it turned out that he was a real pirate, and, apparently, a captain.
- It doesn't matter. I thought you had already secretly left this island. So why did you come back?
Nelson bared his teeth, revealing a rather intimidating look that Murphy had never seen before.
"To collect the debt, of course, and at the same time ask why you did it?" Murphy said.
He didn't ask if it was Nelson, didn't ask what his relationship was with the drunk, but instead got straight to the point.
- Hahaha! At first I didn't believe it, but if you say it, then it means you really killed that fool! And I specifically ordered: after you take the money, break both his legs. But he couldn't even cope with such a simple task!
Nelson took a long swig of rum, then looked at Murphy with a quizzical expression. "Why? Of course, because it's funny! First giving you hope, then plunging you into despair - isn't that funny? Hahahaha! But I underestimated you. Even a weakling like you, when pushed to the brink, can show his fangs!"
Not only Nelson, but everyone around burst into laughter. It seemed that many people knew about this affair.
Murphy, ignoring the surrounding voices, asked the last question: "No, if you wanted this, then there was no need to wait a whole month.
- Haha! Why would I refuse free labor? But I didn't expect you to be so useless - just a slight push would be enough to injure you.
"That's it," Murphy's gaze became calmer and calmer as the conversation continued.
Nelson clearly wasn't taking him seriously, which was to his advantage. Murphy debated whether to confront Nelson directly or to operate from the shadows, gathering information.
By nature, he would have preferred a more cautious approach - a covert investigation would have provided the most reliable information. But Murphy had been fragile when he worked here, and who would have thought that such a colossal change would occur in such a short time?
So sometimes it's easier to act directly - direct conversation can be more effective.
And indeed, during their conversation, Nelson revealed the whole truth to him.
Murphy thought this revelation would have some impact on him, but when he learned the truth, he remained unusually calm - no sadness, no anger.
"But I wonder," Nelson continued, "if you already figured it out, why did you willingly walk into the lion's mouth? Were you so stupid that you couldn't believe it? Or did you think you could kill me with a poisoned dagger, like that fool? Ridiculous."
Nelson sneered as he carelessly tossed the empty bottle, which crashed into the wall with a loud thud, leaving a dent. Some of the shards were embedded deep into the wall, creating an ominous sight.
Murphy ignored Nelson's actions and said calmly, "When you gave me that money, I swore to myself that I would definitely repay the kindness."
- Oh? And how are you going to do that?
— I'll send you on your final journey.
- Puhahahahahaha! - the room burst into loud laughter.
- You're a brave boy! Ha-ha-ha! You emanate weakness, but you dare to say that you'll kill the captain!
- You must be tired of living, since you came to your death!
- Is this the situation when a cornered beast starts to show its fangs? Hahaha!
Not only Nelson, but all the pirates around him were clutching their stomachs with laughter. They all knew Murphy's situation - a man who could get hurt just by being near a fight in the street. And now he stood before them, making such bold statements.
Through the incessant laughter, Nelson felt genuine anger: "It's been a long time since I've bared my fangs. Even a boy like you dares to challenge me now?"
Seeing Murphy approaching, he waved his hand at his subordinates and said in a dissatisfied voice: "Okay, grab him, break his arms and legs, and then throw him out into the street."
Instantly, two people emerged from the crowd that had just been laughing and headed towards Murphy.
"Kid, do you know what the reward is for the captain's head?" one of them grinned maliciously.
This question made Murphy think. He was genuinely curious, but before he could answer, the other one continued: - The boss is worth a whopping 25 million! Ha-ha, you didn't expect that, did you? Feeling desperate?
With Murphy's two months of experience, 25 million was considered a good amount on Jaya Island. No wonder they were so arrogant. Not to mention, he wasn't even sure if 50 points in each attribute was enough to deal with a pirate of that level.
However, Murphy felt a little uneasy. He had seen bounties worth hundreds of millions in his past life, and it was unusual for him to see a pirate with a bounty of 25 million acting so arrogantly, especially on the Grand Line.
He opened his mouth to say something, but changed his mind. After all, he really had nothing to say.
"Hahaha, look, he's so scared he can't speak," said one of the pirates, and laughter rang out again.
Murphy shrugged. If they weren't going to attack, he'd strike first.
Without any unnecessary movements, he aimed his fist straight at the speaker with a standard punch.
Boom!
The figure instantly flew back and crashed into a cracked wall, losing consciousness.
The atmosphere changed instantly and there was silence, so quiet that you could even hear a needle drop.
Everyone looked at what was happening with disbelief, and even Nelson could not hide his surprise.
What... just happened?
Could this Murphy and the Murphy who fell at the slightest touch two weeks ago be the same person?
"It's kind of noisy in here!" Murphy said.
He completely ignored the shocked faces around him and headed straight towards the second person without hesitation.
With a speed unimaginable to anyone, he instantly appeared in front of him and delivered another direct blow.
- AAA!
The same fate - this man did not have time to dodge and also flew away, but this time in the direction where Nelson was sitting...