Threat

Hancock and the Kuja Pirates looked at Tate with confusion.

(Why is he covering for us?)

Hancock glanced at Frantz.

(He did the same earlier.)

She glanced at Caria.

(She on the other hand seems as clueless as us.)

She started assessing all the information before her.

(These two are plotting something together and it seems like it isn't something the whole island is on. If it was a collective effort, this girl who seems to be important here wouldn't have been left out. In fact, they have her here because she's easy to fool.)

She thought about it for a while and came to a conclusion.

"We're going to kill them."

This was her decision.

(I don't what they're plotting but I don't trust them and I'm not going to wait to find out. If they're even a slight threat to Luffy, they need to be put in the dirt.)

She was about to stand up.

"Oh, I think this is the perfect time to tell you about the military force of this island."

Tate spoke up with a grin.

"After all, it's better to know your opponent's hands before you decide whether to take them on or not."

He stood up.

"There are over 30,000 people on this island. Everyone here had combat training and can function as bounty hunters."

He placed his hand on Frantz and Caria's shoulder.

"Of those 30,000 there are five youngsters who show exceptional promise and ability. These Five could take on any rising stars in the pirate world, those known as the Supernova. We call them the Supreme Five. These two are among them."

He pointed at himself.

"And then there's me, the strongest Bounty Hunter. By the way, I'm not the last line of defense. That's somebody else, someone you wouldn't want to meet."

He let out a slight chuckle.

"That's a lot of firepower wouldn't you agree?"

The veins in Hancock's neck bulged. The armrest of her chair started to crack under her grasp. Her eyes became bloodshot and her body shook.

"Y-You..."

Hancock's voice trembled as a demonic expression appeared on her face.

"You dare threatened us?"

"?!"

The haki, laced with bloodlust, that leaked out of her caused Caria and Frantz to spring to their feet on reflex.

"No, no. Of course not."

Tate held onto their shoulders.

"It is too outrageous to threaten our guests."

Hancock stood up. Haki was oozing out of her body causing cracks in the furniture close to her.

"I don't like to play games...Let's just cut to the chase. Me burying--"

"Stop it, Hancock."

Hancock looked down at Luffy who frowning at her.

"These are good people, I'm sure of it."

He picked up another piece of meat.

"I mean anyone who cooks such delicious meat can't be evil."

(What kind of reasoning is that)

(That won't stop her.)

Caria and Frantz thought.

Hancock looked at Luffy for a bit before sitting back in her seat.

"Huh?"

She started to fidget in her seat.

"If you say they're good people then they must be good."

"HUH?!!!"

The two's eyes nearly popped out of their heads. The intimidating Hancock was obediently sitting in her seat and fidgeting like a kid who was just scolded. Even Tate was a bit taken aback. However, he quickly started laughing.

"I see, I see. I think I get what's going on here."

"Huh? You don't mean..."

Frantz started looking at Luffy and Hancock. Luffy was all smiles trying to talk to her while Hancock was shyly looking away with a slight blush. Frantz's jaw hit the table hard.

"Wha--No way....That's amazing."

"Right?"

Tate was laughing while Frantz was still trying to process his discovery.

"Can someone please tell me what's going?"

Caria was still puzzled.

"I will explain later."

Tate once again pets her head. She nodded obediently. He looked at Hancock and the others.

"My apologies again. There's no need to fret. Just as this..."

He looked at Luffy again.

(He surprisingly looks passable in a wig...)

"As this young lady said, we're not bad people. There's no haste for you to make your decision. You can just recover for the time being. Go see the town, chat with the people here, adventure a bit. After that, we'll talk again."

"I hope at that time you can tell us what you really want from us."

Tate showed his usual smile and didn't answer.

After Luffy ate his fill Hancock and the others were escorted to guest houses by Caria.

"Whew~! That went as bad as I expected!"

Frantz was slouching on a sofa in Tate's living room.

"Man, Hancock was really intense. I don't think I could beat her in a fight."

"Of course, you can't. Warlords aren't to be underestimated."

Tate was sitting across from him drinking a beer.

"What's really impressive is how Strawhat Luffy has her wrapped around his finger."

"Yeah, that's a real shocker..."

"Wait, are you crying?"

"N-No, I'm not. I just have something in my eye."

"Wait, now that I think about it. Weren't you a big Hancock fan?"

"No."

"Yeah, you are. I remember now. You had a duel with a guy because he stepped on her picture that was in the newspaper."

"I should've shot him in both knees instead of one for such blasphemy."

"See?"

"Alright, alright! I was her fan! I mean just look at her! And she's the only female Warlord too and leader of a tribe of female warriors?! That's so badass!"

"You finally met her and she immediately wants to kill you. Not only that, you found out she was in love with another."

"S-Shut up..."

Frantz started wiping the tears flowing out of his eyes.

"It's like they say, don't meet your heroes."

Tate burst out laughing.

"Dammit, if it wasn't Strawhat Luffy I would've requested a duel with the bastard she's in love with."

"What if it was a Yonko?"

"Even if it was Whitebeard."

"Damn, you really respect Strawhat huh? Then again, how couldn't you considering what organization you're from?"

"What about you? What do you think about him?"

"Let's see. The way the world government painted him I taught he would be a maniac. Then again, he might still be. I guess we'll have to wait and see."

Frantz nodded. After a few seconds, he put on a serious expression.

"Were you able to convince the Sheriff to join us?"

Tate didn't answer and just finished his beer with one big drink.

"I guess that's a no."

"He didn't plan on joining us but he said he won't interfere with our plans."

"So he's taking a neutral position? Well, I guess that's better than having him as an enemy."

"Yeah."

The smile left Tate's face.

"Felix is one guy in this world I don't want as an enemy."

He started smiling again.

"I'd rather fight an admiral."

"Strangely enough, even though I've never seen him fight I have to agree."

Frantz's brow furrowed.

"I don't why but whenever I think about fighting him, even if a spar I feel so powerless. As if I would just be forfeiting my life. The last person I felt like that with was my boss."

Tate looked at Frantz in silence.

(That's more Felix's indomitable spirit you felt than strength. That's what you need to be scared of.)

He stood up.

"You need a beer?"

"Rum, please. Your strongest."

"Going to drink away the Hancock Blues?"

"You know it."

Frantz showed a thumbs up as a single tear flowed down his cheek.

Meanwhile, Caria led Hancock's group to the residential area.

"I'll admit that I don't trust your group, but since the mayor is willing to overlook it I have no choice but to follow suit."

Caria spoke with a frown as they followed behind her.

"Do you always follow the mayor's orders blindly?"

Marguerite couldn't stop herself from asking.

"Don't misunderstand. I don't blindly follow him; I just trust his judgment. He raised me so I know him better than anybody else. If he does something, it's for a good reason."

They stopped in front of a large two-story house.

"This is where you will be staying for the time being. This goes without saying but you will be under constant observation."

"We understand. Thank you."

Rindo took the keys from Caria, who glared at Hancock before walking away.

"Well, that's it. Food and other supplies are already inside. You're free to go in town if you want."

She stopped and looked back at them.

"Welcome to Bounty Island. I hope your stay will be pleasant for both of our sakes."