'Someone you know well.' Was what Rango scotch had said.
A look of confusion came over his face. Who? The Captains eyes glanced across the dirt. Leroy quickly figured it out, his mind connecting the pieces to the few people this bounty hunter must’ve known.
“So why bring me out here? Just to talk?” Leroy asked with a frown. Tilting his head forward, hands pulling out of his pockets.
“And this is where we get to who hired me.” He said with another point before straightening up and speaking clearly.
“I’ve been Hired by None other than Hornigold Rackham. Royal Marshal Privateer. He figured it'd be a good idea to send a message that he’s still got a firm grip by having you killed and then taking the credit for it as he stays on his island.” Rangos hands rested on his hips.
A Marshal?! A Marshal was after his head?! A bead of sweat went down Leroy's face as he thought of just how effortlessly Hannibal Wolfheart had beaten Kale. Someone he could feel that was close to him in strength. In some way. Both were Marshals for a Reason “Seems like you know what I’m talking about.” He spoke with a cheeky grin and a raised brow.
“I suspect that you were gonna go after him anyway. Am I right?” Scotch said, looking Leroy up and down slowly.
“If I’m gonna become King of The Pirates, I can’t let a Marshal get in the way of that! So yeah. I was gonna fight ‘em if I ever crossed paths with ‘em…” They were going through the Grand Line because they made their declaration to fight any Marshal they came across. Its why they weren't going to be sticking around on the island. Their goal was the One Piece and their Dreams after all. Staying on an Island would only be temporary to explore the island and the adventures it held before going on to the next one.
A slow chuckle started to come from his throat. “You’re a lot like him. You know that? Just a whole lot younger."
“But in your current state, you would have a snowball's chance in hell at defeating him. So we’re gonna fight. And you’re gonna lose. And then you’ll head off this island and use this to get stronger!” He said, waving his hand dismissively, his voice dismissive but utterly confident in his victory. As though he truly was being bothered to even do any of this. But he had a favor to repay.
“Like hell, I’ll lose!” Spoke Leroy with a scoff! He messed with the straps around his ankles and feet, Flicking off his sandals to the side of him and digging his feet into the sandy street beneath him. A smile came across his face. Telling the bounty hunter, ‘Let's get started already!’
“Heh! Keep that Will power kid! You’re gonna need it!” He said digging his boots into the ground. Giving his neck a crack. Stretching his fingers, his hands hovering over the ivory grips of his revolvers
“On the count of three. When I say draw! It starts!”
“A good ol’ fashion duel!” Leroy spoke with a widening smile. Cracking his knuckles and bringing a fist up to the side of his face, ready to throw the punch at a moment's notice. Ready to catch the bullet if he needed too. Any normal round would be able to effortlessly be caught by him.
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“3” Rango began the count down. His eyes hardening as he chewed and rolled the grass on his lips. Leroys own heart beating quickly with excitement and anxiety.
“2” Rango spat out the Grass. Fingers dancing in a rhythm over the grips of his Scofields. Leroy leaned forward.
“1” This was it. No going back now.
“DRAW!” Yelled Scotch, a grimace etching into his face as his hands gripped around his pistols! Leroy grit his teeth and flung his fist forward! Wind whipped around the movement as it spewed through the air faster than any normal bullet! He put as much force into it as possible! Zipping through the air!
“SHOT!” He yelled his attacks name!
But what suddenly met his hand was no normal bullet…Scotch had drawn his pistol so fast that it seemed like a genuine blur, one second his gun was in its holster, the next both were fully extended and firing! The bullet was far too fast to be considered normal! He couldn’t even catch a glimpse of it!
That wasn’t all, the Bullet didn’t bounce off! Instead, it dug deep into Leroy's fist as it would with any normal person! But it kept going! It felt like it was…Burrowing! Suddenly spikes that curved and arched exploded from his arm! Blood spraying out! Leroys eyes widened
“AGH!” He yelled as he retracted his arm. Deep gashes were in his hand, his bones were broken, and bright red oozed from the wounds that covered his forearm. His gaze shifted for a moment to his wounds, the bullet must’ve…transformed and left his arm! Another hole just at the bottom of his elbow. His bones were a mess, deep cuts into them…
“Fuck…Ergh…” He said with a wince. “Ya like it?” Rangos voice called out, Leroys eyes shot up to the man in front of him. Gun barrel smoking as it was held out in front of him.
“I ate the Morph Morph fruit. Anything I touch, I can change the shape of it at will. Including bullets. Does a number against almost anyone!” He spun the gun on his finger. The shiney nickle platted frame shining in the high moon light.
Leroy leapt to the side right as he began to spin the revolver! ‘Gotta get to an angle! Get clo-’ Another sharp pain shot through Leroy! Blood shooting from his leg! Spikes protruding once again! “ERGH!”
The Pain was deep and hot. The ache quickly followed it as he slammed into the ground. He hadn’t even made it a few feet before being shot out of the air like a bird during a hunt. Leroy's mind raced…But his mind thought back to that masculine voice in his mind. A memory.
‘Listen up kid. No matter how many times life kicks your teeth in, and knocks you to your ass. You always get back up, you hear? You got a fire in you! Dig deep! And pull that fire out and let it burn! You’re stronger than you think! Life's gonna hit you hard. But you just gotta hit harder! You’ve got what it takes! Now dust yourself off, and show them what you’re made of!’