The ship drew closer.
Sivedia's mood improved. He straightened his crumpled, seawater-soaked formal attire and stood on the beach, waiting for the ship to rescue him.
"Once I return to Loguetown, I'll make you pay," Sivedia thought maliciously.
If not for those exotic beasts, he would have taught this country bumpkin the consequences of disrespecting nobility!
"A black pirate flag… with a bear's head on it. Which pirate crew is this?"
Sivedia suddenly heard a voice behind him and froze. He rubbed his eyes and looked again.
A black flag indeed fluttered atop the ship's mast.
"No!"
Sivedia clutched his naturally curly brown hair in despair and collapsed onto his knees on the sand.
"Why are the Grizzly Pirates chasing me here?"
"They already destroyed my ship and stole my cargo. Isn't that enough?"
"Farewell, my beloved Demacia."
"..."
Reddy stuffed roasted bear meat into his mouth while listening to Sivedia's wails of despair. Finally, he understood.
This noble from the Cia Kingdom wasn't a shipwreck victim of natural disaster. He had been attacked by pirates at sea, forced to jump overboard to escape.
After venting, Sivedia suddenly remembered.
Wait, why did I forget about him?
Those pets of his could definitely deal with the damned Grizzly Pirates.
"I'll pay a huge reward if you help me drive off these cursed pirates," Sivedia pleaded urgently, turning to Reddy.
"You're a noble."
Reddy returned to the bonfire, sat down, and picked up another skewer of roasted bear meat.
One of the Gene Wolves brought a skewer of raw meat from a banana leaf nearby and placed it over the fire to roast.
Sivedia was confused. "I'm a noble. So what?"
Reddy shrugged. "I don't trust nobles' promises. Unless you put Berries or jewels in front of me."
"You're insulting me!" Sivedia's face flushed red.
Reddy raised his skewer in a casual gesture and turned his gaze toward the pirate ship nearing the shore.
Sivedia panicked and raised his right hand to swear. "I swear on my family's honor. I'll pay you a huge reward. How about 10 million Berries?"
Reddy remained unmoved.
"20 million!"
Still no reaction.
The pirate ship anchored offshore, and two small boats were lowered. Over a dozen pirates jumped in and rowed toward the beach.
The giant standing at the bow of one boat, easily over three meters tall, was especially noticeable.
Sivedia was frantic. Desperate, he offered an exorbitant price. "100 million Berries. But you must take me to the nearest town, preferably Loguetown."
"Deal."
Reddy smiled and stood up.
The five Gene Wolves immediately surrounded him, their predatory eyes fixed on the approaching boats.
...
"Hurry up! Don't let that noble escape again!"
Grizzly Bill stood at the bow of the boat, one foot planted firmly, gripping a massive hammer as tall as himself. He pointed it toward the shore and barked at his crew to row faster.
The pirates strained at the oars, speeding the boat toward land.
Soon, the boat reached shallow waters.
Impatient, Grizzly Bill leaped into the sea, waded ashore, and hefted his hammer onto his shoulder.
"Be careful. Grizzly Bill has a bounty of 3 million Berries," Sivedia whispered fearfully from behind Reddy, his voice trembling.
Now that the pirate was right in front of him, Sivedia realized he might have acted too hastily.
Could those pets really defeat a pirate with a 3-million-Berry bounty?
"Captain, look! Those are rare beasts!"
The other pirates had also reached the shore. Spotting the five Gene Wolves, they shouted excitedly.
Grizzly Bill had been focused solely on Sivedia, but his crew's cries drew his attention to the wolves. He burst into laughter.
"This damn noble is my lucky star. He brought these rare beasts right to me."
Cornered, Sivedia decided to bluff. "Stupid pirates! Do you see them? They're legendary monsters. No one can defeat them!"
But Grizzly Bill wasn't intimidated.
He swung his hammer down hard, sending sand flying, and strode forward with a vicious grin.
Grrr!
The five Gene Wolves bared their fangs, growling low as they crouched, ready to pounce.
But then Reddy spoke. "They're my pets. I'm just a doctor. Fighting won't benefit either of us."
Sivedia gaped in disbelief.
What happened to the 100-million-Berry deal to save my life? Now you're negotiating with pirates?
Have you no shame?
Grizzly Bill paused, sizing Reddy up before scoffing. "Who do you think I am, brat?"
Reddy shrugged and whistled.
Two Gene Wolves lunged at Grizzly Bill while the other three split off, charging the dozen pirates still approaching.
"Die!"
Grizzly Bill swung his hammer with both hands, smashing it down.
Sand exploded.
The hammer left a crater over three meters wide.
"If not for Captain Shiki ordering us to lay low, my bounty would be at least 30 million!"
Grizzly Bill's strength was immense. The massive hammer seemed weightless in his hands as he relentlessly pursued the two Gene Wolves.
Reddy smiled.
This noble really is my lucky star.
"Ahh!"
Screams erupted.
The other three Gene Wolves tore into the pirates.
Swords and knives glanced harmlessly off their dark, scaly hides, while their claws and fangs ripped through flesh effortlessly.
"Captain, help!"
"They're not normal beasts! Save me!"
"They're demons… Agh!"
"..."
The pirates' wails only enraged Grizzly Bill further. Veins bulged on his forehead, his eyes bloodshot.
But the Gene Wolves refused to engage directly. They dodged his hammer strikes, wearing him down.
In moments, the beach was littered with dismembered corpses.
The three Gene Wolves finished off the pirates and turned back, joining the other two to surround Grizzly Bill.
"Get back!"
Grizzly Bill panted heavily, barely able to lift his hammer now.
Yet the five Gene Wolves remained unharmed.
They exploited their agility, waiting for him to exhaust himself before striking.
"Who the hell are you?"
Grizzly Bill wheezed, swinging weakly to fend off the wolves.
Reddy smiled. "I'm a doctor… Friendly reminder, you've got about ten minutes of stamina left."
"Stop! You're right. This isn't helping either of us," Grizzly Bill conceded, realizing these beasts were beyond him.
"Kill this damn pirate! They stole all my cargo!" Sivedia shrieked, trembling with vindictive glee.
Reddy shook his head. "You decide when to start a fight. I decide when it ends. Fair, right?"