Shock, was the most dominant feeling that filled Captain Noname's heart as the truth dawned on him. The anonymous pirate standing before him, Captain Black Jack, was the same man whose left eye he had brutally riddled with a dagger when he was just 19 years old! What's more, Noname hadn't even been a true pirate at that time; he was just a lowly deck boy.
As the memories came flooding back, Noname could not help but think about the implications of what his past actions had caused him, he knew that his life was now at the mercy of Captain Black Jack. The dreaded captain, meanwhile, kept staring deep into Noname, as if daring him to remember every detail of that fateful encounter, and after a short while, the captain's voice cut through the silence.
"Well, now is not the time for our reunion, so I'll just go ahead and ask one simple question....
...WHY?"
Noname's response was barely audible; with a trembling voice, he tried to form words, but the only thing that could escape his lips was— "W..w...why what?" He was unsure if Captain Black Jack was asking about the reason behind the eye stabbing or something else entirely, but deep down, Noname knew that they both understood the true reason behind his actions all those years ago – Blind Rage!
"Don't pretend ignorance Noname!..." Captain Black Jack said a bit furiously, but his facial expression remained as calm, unreadable, and blank as ever, as if it had been blocked of all emotions.
"...We're both aware of your inability as a captain; Your crew could overthrow you in minutes if they intend to commit mutiny, and yet, somehow, you still hold the title of 'Captain'
Tsk! Your rise to fame was swift Noname, but let's not confuse that with actual skill; Your so-called 'NUMEROUS' raids were nothing more than petty attacks on villages within a one-kilometre radius – Hardly impressive!. I'm not praising your accomplishments. Noname, I'm calling out your mediocrity.
I don't really know what pushed you this time to aim for a higher shot – A whole island to yourself? .. .Now THAT! is unusual !
I hope it's not what I think Noname?!
It seems you're driven by a desire for recognition, but trust me, you're not ready for the big leagues; You're trying to run faster than your own shadow, but you're not prepared to handle the consequences of your actions. Don't say I didn't warn you.
I advise that you stick to what you know –Insignificant raids on defenceless villages; keep to your lane, or you might end up not having a lane to keep to yourself!..."
The dreaded Captain then put his left hand on Noname's left shoulder and patted it gently; this very act only amplified Noname's fear as he shivered a bit and thought that a simple action as that would cause him to drop dead.
" .... Ego, they say, kills a man, but remember Noname...." *He drew his lips close to Noname's left ear* " ... My sword kills faster!"
As Captain Black Jack uttered these words, he turned and walked towards a nearby window, leaving Noname still frozen in place. Noname knew exactly what Captain Black Jack was talking about, and this only caused a great sadness to veil every other emotions within him.
And as the captain left for the window, he dropped his last words that only amplified the despair within the young captain's heart...
"Stay in your puddle-sized pond Noname, the ocean isn't meant for you; It would be far too daunting for your fragile little soul to handle!
After all, you wouldn't want to get hurt AGAIN!"
.... And in the next instant, a dense fog came in through the window in front of Black Jack and surrounded him from all sides. The fog covered him whole, and then, just as suddenly, it diffused, leaving Captain Noname's cabin clear once more, leaving no trace of Captain Black Jack's presence; Not even a single unit of his energy was left, and so, Noname instantly became free of the fear that held him captive; with a thud, he collapsed and was left sitting on the wooden floor of the ship.
Noname's thoughts were, at that point, consumed by the haunting words of Captain Black Jack, and the terror in the captain's voice still echoed in his mind.
'^Why is this happening now? Why must I face this obstacle at this precise moment?
I've finally made progress towards my ambition, only to be forced to retreat due to the presence of millions of rival pirates sharing the same goal... And amongst them, the most feared and respected pirate of all –Captain Black Jack, sees me as a threat, worthy of his attention...
. . . But does this mean he fears me?
... No, it can't be, he had the opportunity to eliminate me minutes ago, yet he chose to spare my life; I'm the one consumed by fear, not him.
But it's puzzling though, that amongst the numerous aspiring pirates, Captain Black Jack chose to confront me specifically...
... Even after our last encounter, and what I did to him, he still didn't take my life?
Just what is it with that pi... ^'
"He was here, wasn't he?!!"
Henry's voice suddenly interrupted Captain Noname's thoughts; he was close to the table by the wingback chair where Captain Black Jack had sat. Noname hadn't noticed when Henry entered his cabin, but he was sure it was after Captain Black Jack had exited.
"I don't know what you're talking ab ..."
Before Noname could finish his sentence, Henry forcefully bashed his head with his foot against the drum of water, causing it to shatter into pieces.
Noname lay motionless on the floor, his eyesight became hazy and distorted from the water and forceful impact that had altered his vision. However, as soon as his sight cleared, the first thing he saw was a red-furious Henry, pointing a sword menacingly at his neck; simultaneously, the first sound that he heard was the same Henry's enraged voice as he said—
"I hope you understand why I do this, Noname!"