CHAPTER 12

The fight began when Captain Reggie initiated it first. It was an all-out war or some sort. The city was alerted and was advised to get out of the city as soon and as far as possible, since this fight is going to big, and it cannot be contained in one area only. The royal family is now being secured by thousands of soldiers and guards, while Tina is relieved that it is finally taking place. From the Milk palace, the battle can be seen, and from the looks of it, Tina knew this is not going to end well, and she is just hoping that everyone would be safe, and yes, that includes the pirates who helped just by asking barrels of milk in return. However, Tina already suffered the consequences. She has been grounded and was placed in house arrest and she is to contact nobody, except her guards, maids and her own family. The king told her that she was a disgrace, but Tina said these words to her proud father,

"I would rather be a disgrace than someone who treats an ancestor of someone as a basis of the person living now. You are no brave and great king. You are just one of those people who is afraid to lose power. And you are one of those people who plays favoritism and not rightful justice."

And this is what got her in house arrest. Her father, now in the master's bedroom with his wife was just sobbing,

"What did I do wrong, dear? I only ever wanted to protect her and this kingdom, and yet," the king sobbed.

The queen stroked the gray hair of the king,

"You stripped her freedom away, dear. Accusing someone with a heinous crime that he did not commit is clearly not a kingly attitude. A ruler must always uphold righteousness and fairness. However, this time, your daughter is right. That man is her best friend, despite how she acts, Tina knows how to find real friends." The queen explained.

The king just stared blankly at the ceiling as he then admitted that it was his hate towards the Teach clan that has drove him to arrest the man. However, even if he changes his mind right now, nothing will change. A battle is already raging, and it is impossible to stop pirates and marines from fighting. And besides, the king knew that Tina snuck out 250 barrels of milk out of their storages, and it is also one of the reasons she is being in house arrest.

The battlefield is quite divided. Since the pirates did not expect the navy soldiers to commit mutiny, they are having a hard time getting along with each other. The works have been divided already. Angelique is now fighting Jimuel in an isolated area, Samuel is facing off one of the first lieutenants, while William is dueling with this other first lieutenant whose name was Charlx, and the two have same boon coincidentally as they both have wind boons. The fight was pretty intense. And then there's Jeff, fighting one of the strongest first lieutenants of the marines. He wields a great sword, that must be heavy and cannot be lifted by normal people. The thing is, Jeff has been a shipwright/carpenter for 10 years now since he was 12, that means his body, despite being scrawny, has the strength of 20 people. He is used to heavy works, so he is now thinking that he might stand a chance against this fellow. And besides, he is thinking that it is his time to shine and show GrimTown, that he is really not just a carpenter and shipwright. And now, Thomas is going for the big head. It was Thomas, the rookie pirate, against Captain Reggie, the strongest marine captain in Koes. They are now fighting in the front of the line and near the port. Their battle was by far the most brutal among all the other fights. Thomas swings his sword down in the middle fast, but Reggie caught it with his katana.

Captain Reggie then thought to himself,

"This is quite heavy. Is this kid really a rookie?"

He then stepped back and admitted. This kid is not your regular rookie. His attacks are fast, accurate, sharp, and heavy. Reggie chuckled, as this is the first time, he has fought a pirate that he can go all-out to in a fight. This reminds him also with the encounter with this kid's old man,

"I met you father, 10 years ago, just before he left for Linp. Strong man, he is the only pirate whom I acknowledge to be my rival and equal. And it would be a shame to kill my rival's child. But! It can't be helped. If I don't kill you, you evil pirates will run wild in the seas! And we can't afford that! We vowed to not let another Jack run wild!" Reggie yelled.

"Thanks for the compliment! But please treat me not because I am the son of the man. Treat me as the man who will bring you down for sure!" Thomas replied.

Reggie grinned,

"How saucy!" He then launched at Thomas "One Sword Style: First Armament!" Reggie bellowed as he then swung his katan down at Thomas.

Thomas caught the attack luckily, however, the attack, it was too heavy for him. His feet got drilled into the ground, Thomas countered by punching the captain. However, the captain did not even flinch. He just stood there, smirking at the son of his rival.

"Don't underestimate me, brat. Remember, despite how hold I am, I'm still the strongest marine captain in this sea. And mark my words, I will crush you to lure that father of yours." Reggie then pushed his katana harder.

Thomas chuckled as this is what he expected from a captain of the marines. Reggie thought this was the kid's last grin, so he pushed the katana harder. What he did not know, is that Thomas is plotting something. As the captain pushed his sword as hard as he can, Thomas then suddenly removed his sword from the collision, moved his body to the left, and the katana of Reggie struck the ground and got stuck. And because of the momentum Reggie created, he was thrown out of balance. Thomas grabbed this opportunity. Since the impact was so strong as it hits the ground, Thomas got his feet free. And that is when he made the move. Reggie was expecting the retaliation of Thomas to be slower, so he is taking his time to get free and regain his balance. But then, as he turns around to look at Thomas, a foot came hurtling towards him. While still holding on the hilt of his katana, Reggie was hit in the face so hard that he was sent flying backwards. Thomas did not give the captain a chance to recover from this as he went for the next attack. He ran as fast as he can and followed the captain, and once Thomas is now in front of him, he raised his sword up to his head and then,

"Purgatory Judgement!" Thomas bellowed.

He swung his sword down, and the aura came out of the sword like it was a blade. Reggie luckily reacted to it; however, he was late for 2 seconds. He was sent flying even further, until he slammed into a house. Everyone who were fighting nearby just couldn't believe it. A rookie just landed 2 solid attacks on a captain. William smirked, as this is the least their captain could do, because if their captain can't be strong like this, then their crew is deemed to fall. Because a weak leader, will have weak members.

"Captain!" screamed the first lieutenants of Reggie.

They tried to aid their captain, however, the people they were fighting blocked their way. Captain Reggie, who went through a house came out and was shaking off dush and little rocks from his body. He now has a big slash wound across his chest, and it is quite big. He just ripped his uniform apart,

"Not bad. I did not expect you to develop aura manipulation at this age. You really are surpassing your father at many levels. However, don't even think that you are the only one who can manipulate aura!" the captain then prepared his katana.

Thomas learned the technique of manipulating aura as a weapon from a certain someone that he is also looking for and is also one of the reasons why Thomas considered on becoming a pirate. But as he was preparing for defense, blood then spurted out of his left shoulder. He looked at it, and it was a small, but deep wound. Thomas chuckled, because at that spilt second, this man hurt him. He is the real deal. This man is not a man after all, he is more like a raging beast. And the Captain has to admit it also, that this rookie might be able to beat him.