The slums of Kalma City were chaotic and filled with a mix of people. Although the Redbeard Pirate Crew had over a hundred members, they were just a small presence in such a vast area, with the crew split into smaller groups.
William, along with Res, Clough, and a few old pirates, was leading the way through the streets.
They had ventured deep into the slums, where narrow streets were lined with ragged, dirty young men. These individuals nervously eyed the pirates, answering their questions without hesitation.
Res, with a distracted gaze, glanced around. They had been searching for a while, and the daylight was quickly fading, which made them all a bit weary.
Suddenly, a window of a two-story building along the street creaked open, and Res, who had been half-distracted, suddenly stiffened.
A familiar metallic sound reached his ears, the kind he had heard many times before. His body reacted before his mind did, and he instinctively dove to the side. It wasn't until then that his brain registered what was happening: an ambush. He shouted to his unaware subordinates, "Watch out!"
His warning came too late. Just as Res shouted, gunfire erupted from the windows of the buildings on either side of the street.
Two old pirates collapsed to the ground, their bodies quickly soaked in blood, staining the ground beneath them.
The other pirates scrambled for cover. The previously timid young men, who had been answering questions, now tore away their disguises, pulling up their shirts and drawing flintlock pistols. Armed with dual pistols, they began firing at the old pirates, who were distracted by the gunmen from the buildings.
Two of the old pirates managed to dodge the first wave of fire, but as the gunshots rang out, they too were hit, their bodies jerking before blood sprayed from their vital spots, following the others to the ground.
Two young ambushers turned their weapons toward Res, but Res was no easy target. With a few swift slashes of his curved blade, he cut through the wall of a nearby house and rolled inside, evading the gunfire.
As the smoke from the gunfire dissipated, the street was eerily quiet, with only the young gunmen and William and Clough still standing.
The young gunmen, either excited or nervous, watched William intently. The two who had missed their shots at Res now glanced toward the spot where he had disappeared, eager for another chance.
William said nothing, but he shook his head at the two and then made a cutting gesture across his throat with his hand. At his signal, the young gunmen, who hailed from the nearby village of Red Leaf, obeyed without question, advancing to finish off the old pirates.
The young gunmen were from Red Leaf Village, a place tightly connected to William. They were young and eager to prove themselves, with most of their families working in the village's distillery. Their respect and fear for William were evident. Even after the smuggling network had been taken from him, William kept the distillery in Red Leaf running, partially because of their loyalty.
Once the pirates were confirmed dead, one of the young gunmen approached William and handed him a large knife.
William took the curved blade from his waist and replaced it with the new one. He then made his way toward the broken wall where Res had taken cover.
Inside the house, Res had been quietly alert. When he saw William appear in his line of sight, he started to call out a warning but hesitated. Something wasn't right.
Res was always sharp, his keen mind at odds with his burly appearance. As William stepped through the broken wall, Res noticed the calmness in his demeanor. William's face lacked the youthful impulsiveness and defiance that had been on display aboard the ship. The gunfire outside had ceased.
"Stolte?" Res squinted, watching William approach, his curved blade turning toward him.
"Res… Vice Captain," William smiled, showing his teeth. "Put down the blade. I'll make it quick for you, out of respect for you bringing me aboard."
William glanced to the side. Res, still alert, followed his gaze and saw Clough standing near the door, pale and uncertain.
Clough had taken his position by the door, his face filled with unease. If Hellraiden had been the one pulling the strings to get him onto William's ship, then killing Res would be the final act of loyalty. Only by killing Res could Clough prove that he was truly on William's side, ready to take on Barbossa.
Res gritted his teeth, realizing that Clough, representing the Buendia family, had secretly allied with the dangerous William.
At that moment, William stopped watching Clough and walked toward Res, his steps light, his left hand gripping the unsheathed blade. He appeared relaxed, his face calm.
Though Res didn't know what trick William was playing, he was resolute in his decision to eliminate him.
As William closed the distance, Res lunged forward, his two hands gripping the blade high, aiming for William's head. If the strike landed, William would surely be cleaved in two.
Just before the blade made contact, the air was sliced by the force, causing Res's hair to fly back. Clough, eyes wide, expected the worst, but to his shock, nothing happened.
William's eyes suddenly became sharp. His muscles, previously relaxed, tensed as his face hardened. With an almost imperceptible movement, he took a small step forward, unsheathed his knife with his right hand, and used his left hand to release the blade from its sheath. In one smooth motion, he swept it upward, dodging and countering Res's strike with remarkable speed.
Res's blade missed, but the force of his swing cut a deep scar into the floor, and the shockwave from the attack caused the already broken wall behind William to collapse.
Without even glancing at the wreckage, William elegantly flicked the blade, shaking off the blood that had splattered onto it, before slowly sheathing it.
Geng Shirou had once called William a swordsmanship prodigy. It wasn't just his strength, which had even shocked Geng Shirou, but his growing sense of style in swordsmanship, despite his relatively short time training. His technique was already showing signs of refinement, with a distinct personal flair.
Res, still holding his weapon in mid-air, suddenly felt a sharp pain in his wrists. His hands began to bleed as he tried to retract his blade. With a heavy thud, his sword, along with his hands, dropped to the ground.
Clough's mouth fell open as he watched William calmly turn his gaze toward him.
A chill ran through Clough. William's display of power was unmistakable.
Despite losing his hands, Res still attempted to lunge at William, but it was futile. Without his hands, he was no match for the pirate captain.
William sidestepped and tripped Res, sending him crashing to the ground.
Res, his face pale and his hands bleeding profusely, struggled to crawl toward the collapsed wall.
"Barbossa…" Res mumbled through gritted teeth. He wanted to send word to his cousin, but how could Barbossa survive William's scheming?
Clough pulled out a dagger and, after a brief glance at William, crouched beside Res. With a swift motion, he slit Res's throat.
William paid no attention to Res's dying struggles. As he stepped out of the house, the first raindrop landed on his face, followed by a torrential downpour.
On a small hill near the private docks outside Kalma City, three men stood, watching the distant warship through the rain and wind.
"Has everyone left?"
"Only a couple of cats left."
"William said the captain's quarters are at the back of the ship."
Tony, who had long since discarded his soggy cigarette, stood up and nodded to Edmond and Aramis, "Then why are we waiting? Let's go!"
The wind whipped their raincoats, making them rustle as they set off.
______________________________________________
If you want 20 chapters ahead, check out my Patreon:
patreon.com/PureParadox