Chapter 11 – Clues Revealed (1507)

Mornings in Mad Hat Island were rarely bright. Gray clouds hung low in the sky, as if watching over the filthy streets filled with secrets. But this morning felt quieter than usual. Bastien woke up with a strange feeling in his chest. Something was in the air. He could feel it even before seeing anything.

The workshop where he usually worked felt oddly still. The sound of clashing metal was softer than usual. The scent of gunpowder and gun oil, usually comforting, now felt foreign. Even Gerald's footsteps from the upper floor sounded heavier, slower, as if burdened by something.

During breakfast, Bastien sat across from Gerald. The old man was unusually silent. His gaze was distant, like his mind was juggling a thousand thoughts. Bastien waited until the moment felt right before finally asking.

"Something's off today," he said quietly. "What's going on, Gerald?"

Gerald looked at him. His usually calm eyes were filled with doubt. After a few moments of silence, he finally spoke.

"We're being hunted," he said bluntly. "There's a group that knows where you are. They want more than just this weapons shop."

Bastien sat up straight. "What group?"

"Rick Blacknose," Gerald replied as he took a sip of his now-cold coffee. "He runs a powerful underground network in this town. But what makes him dangerous isn't his strength or his men. Rick is a master planner. He never makes a move unless it's carefully calculated."

"Why is he interested in me?" Bastien asked, his voice lower now.

Gerald studied Bastien closely. "Because of your potential. You don't realize how rare your talent is, Bastien. The kind of talent that makes people like Rick reach out with one hand while stabbing you with the other."

Bastien said nothing. He knew Gerald wasn't just talking about building weapons. This was something deeper. Something he didn't fully understand yet. Haki. He had read and watched it in his previous world. But now he was experiencing it. That sharp instinct. A sixth sense that defied explanation.

"The first time I met you, I noticed something different," Gerald continued. "The way you heard footsteps before anyone else. The way you sensed an enemy's position even with your eyes closed. That's not normal. And people like Rick... they smell potential like a starving dog smells blood."

Bastien didn't reply. He stared at his empty cup. His mind was racing, trying to understand just how deep he'd already been pulled into this world.

After breakfast, Gerald took him down to the basement. It wasn't just a storage room. This was a war room. Racks lined with bullets, rifles, and handmade explosives. Bastien watched as Gerald picked up a short rifle and handed it to him.

"From today on, we prepare for war," Gerald said. "You're going to learn more than just making weapons. You'll learn to use them to survive."

Bastien nodded. There was no room for doubt anymore. This world didn't forgive those who hesitated.

Outside, the city's atmosphere was changing. Some shops closed early. The streets, usually noisy, were now filled with whispers and wary glances. Rumors were spreading that Rick Blacknose's men were on the move.

By late afternoon, from behind a shelf of weapons, Bastien and Gerald watched the shop through a narrow slit in the door. Four large men stepped into the front yard. They were armed, wearing leather jackets and heavy boots that thudded against the floor. Behind them, Rick Blacknose appeared.

His steps were calm. A faint smile tugged at his lips. But Bastien knew it wasn't a friendly smile. It was the smile of someone who knew he was in control.

"He's here," Bastien whispered.

Gerald said nothing. He just gripped the handle of the weapon on his hip a little tighter.

Rick stepped into the shop. "Gerald," he said plainly. "It's been a while since we talked."

Gerald rose from behind the counter. His gaze was no less cold. "What do you want, Rick?"

Rick glanced around before his eyes settled on Bastien. He looked at the boy as if reading an open book.

"I just want to talk. Especially with that boy," he said. "You're hiding something interesting here."

Bastien felt his body tense. Rick's gaze wasn't empty. It was a look that saw through things. As if he knew what was in Bastien's mind. As if he knew Bastien didn't belong in this world.

Gerald stepped forward, blocking Rick's view. "You're not going to lay a finger on him."

Rick smirked. "We'll see."

The conversation ended as quickly as it began. Rick and his men left. But Bastien knew this wasn't the end. It was only the beginning. Rick didn't come to make friends. He came to test them. To issue a warning.

And now, the challenge stood right at their doorstep.