The Great Jewel

CHAPTER 22

The next morning, all woke up in the Sailing Falcon and the Slooper of the Jack Pirates. Everyone has their heads throbbing because of the amount of rum they've consumed last night. Samuel and Henry couldn't even stand up because of the hangover. Thomas and the others such as William, Angelique, Penny, and Jeff stood at the main deck while having a cup of soup they made and was just relaxing. They were just laughing at how the others are puking at the starboard of the ship. They hade one too many drinks last night, not to mention the bill they received after drinking. It was a whopping 200,000 Pendz bill, and that includes everything. Smithy rose to the Falcon and went to get some soup. His head was also throbbing. As they sip their soups, William looked at Thomas,

"What now? The girl is owned by Capone, we can't just—"

Thomas then chuckled and looked back at William,

"We're pirates, William. We plunder and we pilfer. A little bit of piracy and she will be our doctor. And besides, I know that she isn't happy with this. She is being deprived of freedom. Everyone on this rock actually. They are all held by the neck by Capone, because he is such a big figure in the underworld criminal organizations and has a powerful group here on this island, the people have no choice but to just follow the orders. Angelique then told Thomas that Capone only ever arrived at this island 8 years ago. Before the, this island, despite being an entertainment district, was much more peaceful and organized. Unlike now, it is just like a criminals' paradise where different kinds of criminals satisfy their cravings of flesh. As they were talking, Smithy then saw someone walking up their ship's plank,

"Captain!" Smithy called.

Thomas, who was leaning on the ship's ledge turned around to see that it was the Black girl from last night. Her right eye was covered in bandage, and she just covered in bruises. She was welcomed on the ship, and then stood in front of Thomas,

"Thomas Jack, I have an important thing to discuss." Says the girl.

Thomas sipped on his soup and then nodded. The two of them then went into the captain's cabin as the crew gave them the privacy they need. Thomas invited her to sit down as they then sat in front of each other in front of the captain's desk,

"So, what do you want to talk about?" Thomas asked.

The girl looked at him straight in his blue eyes. And as she looks closer, the two really looked alike. Bonney then took a deep breath as she then spilled the beans,

"I am Anji, the person you are looking for, but my real name is Bonney. And I am a friend of your sister." She admitted and then told Thomas how she and his sister met and how they formed friendship in just a month of being together.

And that she also knows why his sister sent him here. Jacky knows the medical capabilities of Bonney, so, Jacky must've recommended Bonney to Thomas to become his ship's doctor. But unfortunately, Bonney told Thomas to give up already as it is just impossible. She is bounded to serve Capone until she dies. Thomas then told her that it was ridiculous that her freedom is being deprived, but then, Bonney told him to shut up and then she stood up. She took off her shirt and then turned around. Thomas closed his eyes, but then, Bonney told him to open it. That is when Thomas saw it. A big tattoo on her back, it was a big S tattoo. That just means that she has the slave mark.

"A slave mark. Unremovable mark. It cannot be removed, unless it is erased by the master itself, who is Capone. Even if I wanted to go with you or you would kidnap me, it will all be in vain, as if I disobeyed him and try to escape, the mark will serve as his way of killing me, since the mark has poison that would run into my veins once I escaped. Now you know why I can't be your doctor. Find another one, I know someone at the—"

"But my question is. Do you want to be free?" Thomas butts in,

"I told you already that I am—"

"Don't change the topic. I asked you one question and one question only. Do you want to be free?" Thomas asked again.

Bonney looked at him, she is trying her best to not let her tears flow,

"Who wouldn't want to be free? To be able to do whatever you want without having the fear of being killed, who wouldn't want that? But it is impossible with—"

"So, if I free you, you become our doctor? You only must answer yes or no. And if you say that it would be impossible to defeat Capone, don't worry, mark my words, we will defeat them and free you." Thomas said.

And that is when tears fell from Bonney's eyes, those are the same words Jacky told her. It must really be true, that her brother will be the one to free her. Bonney wiped her tears off and smiled as she puts her shirt back on,

"Yes, I want to be free. I want to be free from all the suffering!" She cried.

Thomas smiled. He then stood up and was about to leave the cabin to give her a moment by herself, but before he could leave, Bonney called her,

"Why?" she asked.

"Why what?"

"Why would you want to save someone like me who you don't even know for long and just knew me by your sister? Why should you go such lengths for a stranger?"

Thomas then smiled again at her,

"Because no one deserves to be a slave," and Bonney felt like she has been struck by lightning.

Because that is what Jacky told her before. And that just made her tears fall faster,

"And besides, I have already decided that you would be my doctor. When I decide on something, I never go back on my words. In any case, once you have calmed down, go out and we will talk about our plan." Thomas says.

Thomas left the room and gave her privacy. Bonney sobbed in the cabin quietly, as there is a slight chance that she will finally be free.

She then thought to herself,

"Teacher, just like a I promised. I shall set sail once I get freed."

After a few minutes, Bonney went out the captain's cabin and met with the rest of the Jack Pirates. Thomas looked at her as she comes down on the deck,

"Ready?" Thomas asked.

Bonney nodded. And they all then started planning. They all went back to the captain's cabin to discuss their plans. But first, they've collected some information from Bonney about the group of Capone. Capone's criminal group consists of 200 members, and that doesn't include his top 6 officers. The top 6 officers are the strongest force of the group, but strongest among them is Richard, Capone's right-hand man. But in any case, the other 5 officers are as strong as pirates who have a bounty of over 100,000,000. And this is why no one is standing up against them. The Capone Crime Organization is the most powerful criminal organization in the whole underworld in all Linp. Now, the other one is his mansion at the back of the town. It is big and all and has a lot of guards. The defenses of it are also one of a kind as it serves also as a fortress. Which means, it would be hard to break through the defenses alone. But Jeff has something in mind. Despite being a carpenter and a shipwright, he is not just that only, he got some stuff up his sleeves to. Bonney continued that the chance of them winning is slim. Not to mention the insane boon of Capone. She doesn't know what kind of boon Capone has, but it sure did help him rise to the ranks of the criminal world.

"To put it simply. This is the most powerful group, we, as a pirate crew would face so far, after the marines at Miliq." William says.

The others felt nervous. Smithy got his hangover gone as he is now seeing firsthand how much of a bigshot are the Jack Pirates which he is now a member of and captain of the second ship of this future pirate's fleet. In any case, to Thomas, he isn't backing down as usual,

"Form a plan. We won't waver. It is for the sake of our doctor." Thomas said.

And while they are discussing the plan. Someone has been listening. After hearing the plans, the person rushed to the Capone mansion, and that is when he relayed the information. Capone laughed. They can crush those pirates, but just in case,

"Defend the gates! Prepare our men! We are going into war with the super rookie."