Running Up The Check

What a mess it all had become. One moment Naesala and his group had taken out a small band out bounty hunters in a rather high energy skirmish, one of the best the geezer had had in quiet a long time and now he's held at gun point by some scrawny guy and the some other randoms in the woods of this damn island. Naesala was strong, perhaps the strongest on the island, but he was still a living being and a gunshot to the head would kill him . . . would it? He wasn't sure. His mind swam back to all the torture he had endured during his time spent as a prisoner of war during his youth, but that wasn't appropriate thinking right now. He needed to focus on the scenario at hand and he could reminisce afterwards. He had lives in his hands after all. "I didn't expect the kid to die so early . . . I guess this is the true nature of the Grandline though. People like you are a rarity in the Four Blues and he wasn't ready for it." The gunman was a a guy that looked like he was in his forties and had seen his fair share of shit and done his fair share as well. It was also worth mentioning he looked mighty comfortable with the flintlock pistol in his hand though the way he dressed didn't say that he was one who partook in combat often.

"You were the keeper of that swordsman?" It was kind of dark, the sun had just set, but a bit of its rays still peeked over the horizon and illuminated the forest this episode played out in. They were maybe a mile away from their ship when this ambush was launched. All guns, no close range weapons, a classic extermination. If Naesala didn't play his cards right he and his comrades would be shot dead here. "I wouldn't say keeper, more like an advisor." Naesala cautiously nodded, careful to no startle the gunmen and get someone's head blown off. "If that's the case, then why are you out in the cold at sunset with a gun to my head? This seems more like you trying to avenge someone you felt for." Naesala wasn't really concerned that he'd get shot and killed, he was more so worried about his allies. He knew he could get out of this in one piece if he was by himself and all the guns were pointed at him, but they weren't, so he'd have to dance around a bit.

Chuckling a little bit, the gunman nodded in agreement. "I guess you're right, but at the same time I'm a man that makes money off of the exploits of others." Naesala's brow rose. "So you were leeching off of him?" "Not a leech, an opportunist. The relationship was symbiotic. I came out here to avenge the poor chap, but I think in my subconscious it's because I was looking for a new business partner." Naesala hummed in contemplation. He didn't really have much of a choice, given the situation. "What would I have to do to bring you money? I don't really go around and loot island, like a traditional pirate. I'm only in it for the adventure and fighting." The gunman nodded with a laugh. "I'm aware of the type of pirate you are, you might be a small fish bounty wise, but you still have some weight to your name. But what's required of you is to just keep on doing what you're doing. I just ask that you let me operate under your name." It was Naesala's turn to laugh, but the manner which he did it in would make you think there wasn't a gun to his head.. What this man's game was had finally clicked and made sense. "It all makes sense now. I have no qualms about that." The gunman smiled at Naesala and withdrew the gun, tucking it it smoothly in the "v" of his short kimono. "Alright then, I'll retrieve my things and bring them to your ship. We'll discuss things further there." All guns tucked away and all the tension in the air nonexistent, Naesala had to admit he was slightly impressed with how the man handled himself and his situation. "Can I know the name of my new business partner?" The man was already walking off towards where his things were stored, before he turned and smiled at Naesala. "Oh sorry. My name's Bato. Nice to meet you." Naesala gave a nod and smile to the man before watching him fade off into the forest with the rest of the gunmen he came with.

"Well this has been quite the eventful island." Naesala turned to face one of his allies who was walking up to him. "Yeah, that's my second close encounter with death in only three days. I think we've over stayed our welcome." Naesala laughed and the group began moving towards their ship. "I was thinking about leaving once we made it back actually." "Oh really where to next?" Naesala looked over to his other side to address his other comrade. "Not sure. I'm getting tired of the cold though, maybe somewhere warmer. I'll sleep on it." "You sleeping on it is what landed us here int he first place." Again they laughed amongst themselves and continued their trek to their ship unimpeded.