Introduction 7: Mutual Fight

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The event "The encounter with Captain Black Jack"actually opened a new chapter in Noname's life as a pirate, this was because he had successfully unlocked the instincts of bravery, confidence, and strength necessary for survival in the dire world of piracy. He was thereafter made a true pirate and recognised as an official member of Captain Henry's crew. That was the point in Noname's life where he developed his pride, self-confidence, and recklessness, which shaped his current way of life. 

Captain Black Jack was initially unaware that it was Henry who had stolen the duplicate of his outfit, but he was convinced that the culprit was one of his past victims who had managed to survive one of his deadly attacks, and Henry was unluckily the first name on Black Jack's list of suspects, and one thing was certain: Captain Black Jack would stop at nothing to reclaim what was stolen from him and to make an example to those who dare even anticipate crossing his path!

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✦ Present Day ✦

"Please, Henry, not right now..." Noname said as he struggled to his feet. Noname knew that Henry's intentions were not to kill him but rather to engage him in a ...

... 'Mutual fight':This was simply a tactic that Henry had been using in the past to extract information from Noname. 

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It is believed that when people engage themselves in a fight, they release a part of their inner selves, primarily their emotions. Henry assumes that as someone let out their feelings during a fight, they had to leave the imaginary gateway open to allow for a continuous flow. Through this gateway, Henry also assumes that he could access his opponent's thoughts and feelings. This belief has actually been tested and proven many times in past battles with Noname and several other counterparts. 

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As Noname faced Henry, he knew that he had to tread carefully, he was already aware that the battle was not all about physical strength but also about mental and emotional resistance and to protect his inner self from Henry's reach. 

"Tell me Noname, he was here, wasn't he?!!" Henry yelled out with rage.

"Yes, he was! So what's the big d....?" Noname retorted, but before he could even complete his sentence, Henry swung his sword in his direction, but the captain was quick enough to dodge by dashing sideways.

Seizing the opportunity, Noname gripped the other pair of swords that lay on the table near his wingback chair and properly engaged his opponent. They clashed their blades continuously against each other, but however, Henry's mastery in the use of blades became apparent, and Noname started to retreat slowly. 

As the battle continued, Noname gradually reached the door, and immediately, their swords were locked in a bind, as the duo pushed hard their blades against each other in the struggle for victory. 

"He wouldn't be here unless you took something from him!" Henry said.

"You've always been by my side Henry, we've executed all our plans together as a team... I didn't take anything from him!" Noname replied as he continued to struggle against Henry. 

"Then you're probably after something he has got his eyes on!...tell me, what is it?!!"

"I... I can't... " Noname hesitated for a second, but before he could respond properly, Henry delivered a sudden kick to his chest, which sent him stumbling backward. The young captain eventually crashed into the door and sent it open.

The rest of the crew were already familiar with the concept of the mutual fight, so they seldom paid attention to it, although sometimes they would show interest, taking it as a form of entertainment, but this time around,...

"Can you guys keep it down? I'm trying to get some rest!" Santiago shouted from the top of the mast, and just as he finished uttering his words, an unexpected and intense impact was felt on the ship, sending it off course. 

 "AYAYAYAYA!" Santiago exclaimed the more in frustration. 

The ship became silent afterwards, and after a few seconds, a huge ship was seen in the midst of the slowly diffusing fog, it was heading away from their direction. 

"Captain!" Jack urgently signalled to Noname. 

"Don't worry, we're fine, we're all safe!" Noname responded. 

"Well, I just hope we are, Captain!"

Before Noname could respond to Jack, Henry gave him another unexpected kick, sending the captain tumbling back into the cabin. Noname hit his backside on the floor with a thud, and before he could get back on his feet, Henry came in and slammed the door shut behind him.

This very action of Henry caught the attention of the crew this time around. Yes, they knew it was a mutual fight, but something within them was making it clear to them that this time around, Henry's rage was quite out of hand.

"You are well aware that we are not out of danger, not as long as Black Jack is on our tail!..." Henry exclaimed in a mixed emotion – anger and concern. " ...So tell me, what is it that he wants? What are you aspiring for that brings his attention to you?"

Noname, at this point, had subconsciously given in to Henry. He looked up to meet Henry's stern expression, then stared back at the floor like a child caught in the act and scared of facing the consequences. And as the captain struggled back to his feet, he gave a response that Henry would least expect, or worse, not expect at all!...

"I... I want to be a Grande Pirate! ..."