Chapter 69: "Yo Ho Ho and a Cluck Full of Chaos"

As Kazuya's crew sailed toward their next absurd destination, the air grew thick with the scent of adventure… and poultry. The Duckverse was already strange enough, but now they were about to face the most feared pirate of all avian seas — Captain Cluckbeard.

And no one was ready for what came next.

The Legend of Captain Cluckbeard

While lounging on deck, Fergus recounted the legend of Cluckbeard.

"They say he's got a beak made of gold, feathers dipped in the blood of his enemies, and a treasure map tattooed on his tail feathers."

Nerissa groaned. "You're making that up."

"Nope," Fergus said, grinning. "And rumor has it, he sails on the infamous ship — The Cluckinator. It's said to be made of stolen coops and powered by pure poultry rage."

Kazuya sighed, rubbing his temples. "Why is it always birds? Can't we just fight normal villains?"

Sylvara, standing at the helm, smirked. "Where's the fun in that?"

Suddenly, a loud "CLUCK-A-DOODLE-DOOOO!" echoed across the sea.

Fergus jumped. "What the hell was that?!"

 Enter The Cluckinator

Out of the mist, a massive pirate ship emerged. It was shaped like a giant chicken head, complete with beady red eyes and a feathered mast. Cannonballs shaped like eggs fired from its sides, exploding with yolky chaos.

At the bow stood Captain Cluckbeard himself — a giant rooster with an eye patch, a peg leg, and a hook shaped like a chicken drumstick. His red feathered cape billowed dramatically in the wind.

"ARRRRGH!" Cluckbeard squawked. "Who dares sail in my waters?!"

Kazuya blinked. "Is that… a chicken in a pirate hat?"

Fergus grinned from ear to ear. "Best. Day. Ever."

 The Pirate Crew

Behind Cluckbeard, his crew of misfit chickens scrambled around the deck.

First Mate Nugget — a chicken wearing an oversized tricorn hat that kept slipping over his eyes. Chef Drumstick — a grumpy-looking hen armed with a frying pan and a belt full of spices. Captain Cluckbeard's Parrot — which, hilariously, was a tiny human dressed as a parrot, squawking awkwardly.

Cluckbeard pointed his drumstick hook at Kazuya's ship. "Surrender yer ship and yer bread, or face the wrath of the Cluckinator!"

Fergus laughed. "Bread? Seriously?"

Cluckbeard nodded gravely. "Aye, bread is the currency of the seas!"

Sylvara rolled her eyes. "Of course it is."

Negotiations with Cluckbeard

Kazuya cupped his hands around his mouth. "Hey, Captain Cluckbeard! We're not here to steal your bread. We're looking for the Key of Quack. Heard you might have it."

Cluckbeard tilted his head. "The Key of Quack? What's it worth to ye?"

Kazuya thought for a moment. "Uh… We've got…"

Fergus interrupted. "A lifetime supply of chicken nuggets!"

The crew gasped in horror.

Cluckbeard's eyes narrowed. "BLASPHEMY!"

Chef Drumstick fainted dramatically. "Nuggets?! Cannibalism!"

The pirate chickens began squawking in chaos, flapping their wings and bumping into each other.

 The Great Chicken Duel

Cluckbeard stomped his peg leg. "There'll be no nuggets on my ship! If ye want the Key of Quack, ye'll have to face me in a duel!"

Kazuya sighed. "Of course. What are the rules?"

Cluckbeard grinned. "The Dance-Off Duel of Destiny!"

Fergus lost it. "A dance-off?! I LOVE THIS QUEST!"

The Dance-Off Duel of Destiny

The two crews gathered on the deck of The Cluckinator. A chicken DJ set up a turntable made of eggshells and began playing pirate-themed dance music.

Cluckbeard strutted forward, his peg leg tapping to the beat.

"Prepare to be clucked, landlubbers!"

The dance battle began.

Cluckbeard did the Chicken Shuffle — a bizarre mix of clumsy flapping and moonwalking. Kazuya countered with the Worm Wiggle, earning cheers from his crew. Fergus threw in the Bread Toss, launching slices of bread into the air.

But the real showstopper was Sylvara.

She stepped forward, flicked her hair back, and broke into an elegant, seductive dance. The chickens were hypnotized, clucking dreamily.

Cluckbeard stumbled. "Curses! She's too powerful!"

The crew cheered. Victory was theirs.

 The Key of Quack

Defeated, Cluckbeard handed over the Key of Quack.

"It's yours," he said, sighing dramatically. "But beware… the Geese are watching."

Kazuya frowned. "The Geese again? Can't we catch a break?"

Cluckbeard nodded. "They're always plotting. But that's a tale for another time."

 The Aftermath

As they sailed away from The Cluckinator, Fergus couldn't stop laughing.

"I can't believe we just had a dance-off with a pirate chicken."

Nerissa shook her head. "This is officially the weirdest quest I've ever been on."

Sylvara smiled, leaning against Kazuya. "We've got the Key of Quack. That's all that matters."

Kazuya chuckled. "Yeah. Now let's figure out what this key actually unlocks… and hope it's not another poultry-themed disaster."

Fergus grinned. "I don't know… I kind of hope it is."

As the ship sailed into the sunset, the crew couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of their adventure.

Little did they know, the Geese were already plotting their next move…