Chereads / One piece. reborn as wolverine / Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: Deadeye

Chapter 7 - Chapter 7: Deadeye

The Black Pearl sailed gracefully across the North Blue, cutting through the waves like a predator on the hunt. Logan stood at the helm, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. Beside him, Reina leaned against the railing, her sword resting at her hip.

It had been a week since she joined his crew, and the two had quickly settled into a rhythm. Reina had proven herself invaluable, her discipline and skill complementing Logan's raw power and instinct.

But they both knew the truth: two people didn't make a crew.

"You know," Reina said, breaking the silence, "if we're going to the Grand Line, we'll need more than just the two of us. The sea out there is nothing like this."

Logan nodded. "I know. That's why we're heading to Varenport. It's one of the busiest trade hubs in the North Blue—and probably crawling with potential recruits."

"Pirates, bounty hunters, mercenaries…" Reina smirked. "Sounds like my kind of place."

Logan grinned. "Exactly."

Varenport was a bustling hive of chaos, filled with sailors, merchants, and shady figures who barely glanced at newcomers. Logan's Observation Haki flared as he passed the Black Anchor Tavern, his senses locking onto someone who stood out in the noise.

Inside, a tall man sat at a corner table, his rifle leaning against the wall. Kane, as Logan had heard, was a name whispered with equal parts respect and fear. Known as a deadly sharpshooter and a skilled navigator, Kane was a ghost who rarely stayed in one place.

Logan watched him from the doorway for a few minutes. Kane's dark green eyes scanned the room with a calm yet predatory awareness, as though every person in the tavern were a potential threat. He moved with precision, his hands charting routes on a map with practiced ease.

"This guy's the real deal," Logan muttered. "But he's not going to trust me easily."

Logan approached the table and sat down across from Kane.

"Mind if I join you?" Logan asked, his tone calm.

Kane didn't even look up. "You've got five seconds to explain why you're here before I make you leave."

Logan smirked. "I'm putting together a crew. I want you to join."

That got Kane's attention. His eyes lifted, sharp and probing. "You're wasting your time. I don't work with anyone."

"Then let me prove I'm worth working with," Logan said, leaning back. "Fight me. If I win, you hear me out. If I lose, I'll leave you alone."

Kane chuckled, his expression shifting to amusement. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Fine. Let's see what you've got."

The crowd outside the tavern parted as Logan and Kane stepped into the open square. A small audience gathered, murmuring in anticipation. Reina stood at the edge, her arms crossed, her eyes never leaving Logan.

Kane unhooked his rifle and checked its sights with a fluid motion, his calm demeanor unshaken. Logan extended his claws with a metallic snikt, their gleam catching the fading sunlight.

"Ready?" Kane asked, his voice low and steady.

"Whenever you are," Logan replied, lowering into a stance.

Kane moved first, his rifle snapping up with lightning speed. Logan darted to the side as a bullet whizzed past, close enough to graze his shoulder. Kane fired again, each shot forcing Logan to keep moving.

Logan lunged forward, closing the distance with a burst of speed, but Kane was ready. He dropped to one knee, firing a shot that ricocheted off the cobblestone, narrowly missing Logan's leg.

The crowd gasped at the display of precision. Kane didn't waste a single bullet, his shots calculated and deadly.

Logan grinned. "Not bad. Let's see how you handle this."

He leaped into the air, claws flashing as he came down toward Kane. Kane rolled to the side, his rifle swinging around to block Logan's swipe. The claws screeched against the metal barrel, sparks flying as Kane twisted the rifle, using it as a staff to shove Logan back.

The two circled each other, Kane shifting to close-quarters combat. He unsheathed a short blade, its edge gleaming in the dim light.

"You're not just a sniper," Logan said, his tone approving.

"I'm full of surprises," Kane replied, lunging forward.

Their blades clashed, Kane's precision against Logan's raw power. Logan swung wide, forcing Kane to duck, then retaliated with a quick jab that grazed Logan's ribs. Logan growled, spinning into a kick that connected with Kane's side, sending him skidding backward.

Kane recovered quickly, planting his feet and firing a shot mid-roll. The bullet grazed Logan's cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.

"Nice shot," Logan said, grinning.

"Don't get cocky," Kane replied, darting forward again.

The fight continued, the square echoing with the clash of steel and the occasional crack of a rifle. Kane's precision and adaptability were incredible, but Logan's relentless attacks and Observation Haki slowly turned the tide.

Logan feinted with a claw strike, forcing Kane into a block, then spun behind him and delivered a powerful kick to his back. Kane staggered but turned quickly, firing one last shot—only for Logan to swipe the bullet out of the air with his claws.

Before Kane could react, Logan was on him, pinning him to the ground. His claws hovered inches from Kane's throat.

"Yield?" Logan asked, his voice steady despite his heavy breathing.

Kane chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Alright, you win. I'll hear you out."

Back in the tavern, the two sat down to talk.

"You're not bad," Kane admitted, nursing a drink. "Most people wouldn't have lasted that long."

"I've been training," Logan said with a grin. "So, what do you say? Join my crew."

Kane leaned back, his sharp eyes studying Logan. "Why me?"

"You're skilled, calm under pressure, and you've got a code. I need more than just fighters—I need people I can trust."

Kane considered the offer, then smirked. "Alright, Captain. I'll join your crew. But if I don't like where this is going, I'm out."

"Deal," Logan said, extending his hand.

Kane shook it, a small smile playing on his lips. "So, where to next?"

As they walked back to the Black Pearl, Reina smirked at Logan. "Nice work. He's a good catch."

Logan nodded, looking at Kane. "Two down. Now we just need a cook, a ship doctor, and maybe a crazy dreamer."

"Dreamer?" Reina asked.

Logan grinned. "Every good crew needs one."

The Black Pearl set sail once again, now with a growing crew and a shared purpose. The Grand Line was calling, and Logan was one step closer to answering that call.

To Be Continued…