Daylight broke out, highlighting the destruction and chaos that had ensued moments earlier. It was oddly peaceful. There were no agonizing screams echoing out, only the dimming flames crackling in the distance. Ash was settling on the ground, imprisoning the lungs of the wounded. As Jimmy and Leroy headed closer to Gary's tavern, sound returned to their ears. It sounded cheerful, which Jimmy was relieved about.
They walked through the door, witnessing a bunch of drunks whilst Jimmy assumed the others were being taken care of upstairs. Belsari was among the drunks, despite her excessive amount of bandages whilst Ronin sat by the stairs waiting for Tim Tim to wake up.
"AHA BRETHREN, AS YOU CAN SEE I AM ALIVE AND ALL POWERFUL. I TOOK DOWN A GIANT WITH ONE FELL SWOOP! ALLOW ME TO TELL MY STORY TO YOU!" Leroy announced, and started telling his story in dramatic fashion.
"How unfortunate. You survived." Vaeg scowled at Jimmy.
"Please don't start! We've all had a long day." Jimmy sighed.
Jimmy then looked at Vaeg again and realized something disturbing... Vaeg was still just in a loincloth.
"Why haven't you got any clothes on?"
"Oh this. Monkey man dragged me off the ship, so I refused to wear any clothes. Also, it's a free world, I can do what I want." Vaeg snarled.
"How's the injured at the moment?" Jimmy asked, ignoring Vaeg's response.
"Belsari has some bruising, but she is lucky Doctor Vaeg can fix bones, otherwise it would be a different story. Jenkins had two gaping holes in his body, but they've been patched up, and he's resting. Ronin is also patched up but isn't moving an inch after Tim Tim was taken upstairs.
Thankfully, I only have a mild concussion and aching muscles. Whatz D Face was also just exhausted and, as you can see, is drinking an impressive amount. Tim Tim will need to rest for the next couple of days if he doesn't want to open up the wound on his side." Barbosa reported.
"What about Sam?"
"What about me?" Sam stepped out from the shadows, "You'd really think I'd leave without giving you a goodbye?"
"No, I was just asking about your injuries. I know you won't abandon our agreement."
"Stop yer focking yapping und start drinking wid ush." Nargo shouted whilst dancing on one of the tables.
The crew partied for a few more hours, the sun now high in the sky.
Vaeg slapped Tim Tim, "Oi bucket boy! Get up!"
"Ow! That hurt Mister Doctor Vaeg! Let me sleep longer." Tim Tim started dozing off again.
"Do you want me to start rearranging your organs?" Vaeg unsheathed his scalpel.
"I'm sorry! I'll get up."
"That's a good little bucket boy. Anyway, today's your lucky day."
"Why's that?" Tim Tim asked timidly.
"Because you're not in debt to me. Your little fan healed you instead of me. But I may require your assistance in a couple of days to collect some... debts."
"You're grinning evilly again Mister Doctor Vaeg. And please let this be the only time you ask my help."
"I see you've agreed. I'll set the preparations. Think of this as an 'Get out of dissection free' card for when you need healing."
"Whatever you say Mister Doctor Vaeg. Let me grab my stuff and I'll head downstairs." Tim Tim sighed.
Vaeg left and Tim Tim heard a knock at the door.
"Mister Doctor Vaeg just give me a second!"
"I don't think I'm Vaeg, little bunny." Veronica's voice called out.
"Ah sorry about that, come in!"
Veronica sat on the bed next to Tim Tim.
"So is there anything you'd like to discuss Miss Veronica?" Tim Tim asked, attaching his swords to his belt.
"Yes, actually. You see, I want to adventure across the seas but my father is getting old and senile. Also, I don't what your crew did but I think you broke him mentally."
"Yeah... sorry about that. The crew murdered a couple of pirates in front of him." Tim Tim laughed awkwardly, knowing it was primarily his fault.
"It's fine, the marines will probably investigate what happened on this island in the next couple of days and help any survivors."
"Let's hope. Marines aren't always sanest, though. You shouldn't trust them fully. I should know by experience."
"I understand. It may be selfish but can I make a request?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"My request is that your crew take me on your voyage. I wish to see and do lots of amazing things that I simply cannot if I stay here. Also, I'm not a weakling, I can fend for myself, although being captured probably dented that reputation."
"I'd love for you to join us. The only problem is convincing the crew but as long as you stay away from Va-" Tim Tim stopped his sentence as Vaeg waltzed back in.
"Hurry up bucket boy! We don't have all day. I want to spend some time with my special patient."
Vaeg left and Tim Tim breathed a sigh of relief.
"That was close! Just come with me downstairs, and we'll discuss it with them. Otherwise, Mister Doctor Vaeg might actually rearrange my organs. I completely forgot! Thanks for healing me Miss Veronica, you did me a solid one."
"It was nothing for my little bunny. Let's stop talking and go."
Tim Tim was immediately collapsed by Ronin as he jumped on top of Tim Tim, slobbering all over him. After cleaning up the slobbering and reassuring Ronin that he was fine he joined everyone that was sat at a table, all looking exhausted and holding their heads.
"What did you guys do whilst I was asleep?" Tim Tim said, sitting down among them.
"WE PARTIED GLORIOUSLY LITTLE TIM TIM!" Leroy shouted and then immediately clutched his head.
"I've called this meeting to decide what to do next." Jimmy started. "Where's Vaeg?"
"Him and Barbosa have headed towards our ship to make sure everything's still there." Jenkins said.
"Ok then. First order of business: What's our next destination?"
"We could head to the Grand Line." Jenkins suggested.
"I know you want to take revenge but there's a couple of things we need to take care of before we start the real journey."
"I understand."
"I feel like we need to hand the bounties in before we are heavily chased."
"We can't just waltz into a marine base to hand in the bounties of the heads we captured, so we have to go back to the island where my sister is to claim them via a corrupt marine. He will take a cut from it though." Sam explained.
"Ok we will go to Spider Miles first." Jimmy said. "Second topic: Should we lie low and train before heading off to the Grand Line?"
"How long would we lie low for?" Jenkins asked, worried he was being deceived.
"Only about a month or two then we resupply our stock and head off."
"That's sounds like a good idea." Nargo pitched in after taking a couple of pills to ease his hangover.
"Where are we hiding?" Jenkins asked.
"I'm intending on asking Sam's sister." Jimmy replied. "Before we end this meeting, are there any other matters you'd like to discuss.
"Actually I do." Tim Tim piped up.
"What's up Tim Tim?"
"Well you see... Miss Veronica wishes to join our crew."
Gary heard this and instantly came over to the table.
"But Gary will be lonely." Gary whimpered.
"I've already thought of a solution to that." Tim Tim whistled and Jack the Raven swooped in. He tweeted and Jack bobbed his head in agreement.
"Mister Gary, if your daughter does leave with us, I wish to give you Jack the Raven. He's got an attitude on him, but he's young and healthy.
Gary stuck his hand out and Jack jumped right into them.
"Gary feels better now. Thank you, Gary's son." Gary said stroking the bird.
"I'm not your son Gary." Tim Tim laughed awkwardly.
"You will be Gary's son in the future."
"I've only just met you, so I can't be your son. I mean I could potentially become a son-in-law but that will probably never happen as your daughter is way too good for me. Anyway, I assume I have your permission Mister Gary."
"Gary gives permission."
"Awesome! Now Mister Jimmy and the rest of you guys, what do you think?"
"Personally I have no objections." Jimmy said.
"I don't fucking care as long as she can look after herself. I don't want no useless damsel in distress similar to you bucket boy."
"I object! My fair lady has caused me reprehensible grievances. I will be traumatized." Whatz D Face shouted.
"Do you even know what those complicated words mean, Whatz D Face?" Jenkins butted in.
"Perhaps not but you know my intentions all the same." Whatz D Face pouted.
"CAN YOU FISH?" Leroy asked, staring intently at her.
"To a certain extent, yes." Veronica replied, slightly intimidated.
"ANOTHER FISHING BUDDY! RONIN DID YOU HEAR THAT? WE HAVE ANOTHER FISHING BUDDY!" Leroy jumped up and down excitedly whilst Ronin howled in unison.
"Ronin, when did you start fishing?" Tim Tim asked bewildered.
Ronin replied in his natural tongue to which Tim Tim congratulated him on starting a new hobby.
"I wouldn't mind another female on the ship." Belsari said.
"I'd say there's more for than against, excluding Vaeg and Barbosa." Jimmy announced.
"Thank you so much! Let me gather my things and say my farewell to my father and I'll be right there."
Veronica sprinted up the stairs quickly.
Nargo whispered into Jimmy's ear, "So where is she gonna sleep?"
"I was thinking Tim Tim's room since he doesn't even use his bed, and he's too pure hearted to do anything too lewd." Jimmy whispered back.
"What do you mean he doesn't use his bed?"
"He grew up a lot with just himself and Ronin so Ronin curls himself around Tim Tim to protect him and keep him warm. It's kinda like a natural adaptation, so he never really sleeps in his bed except when he's too hot."
"Also, you know he's fucking killed people, right? He's not that pure hearted."
"In the aspect of the s-word, he is. He doesn't even know what it properly is since he wasn't exactly educated of it."
"Shouldn't we teach him?"
"Maybe at some point down the line."
"What are you two talking about?" Tim Tim asked.
"N-nothing!" They both stuttered.
After about ten minutes the crew and Veronica were ready to go. Veronica said her goodbye, and they all left for the ship.
"Another thing, Vaeg's a cannibal." Jimmy warned Veronica, "and has someone locked up in his room. So long story short, don't go near Vaeg unless you have to. You'll regret it otherwise."