Mad Bull Pirates
Their ship's deck was littered with sleeping pirates—thugs Cubi Rad had recruited from raided towns over the past few months. Exhausted from last night's debauchery, they slumbered on.
Only the lookouts and helmsmen, stuck with today's shift, stayed alert. They envied the sprawled crew but had no choice—duties on this ship rotated, with no fixed roles.
Then, a lookout spotted the Freedom.
"Straight ahead, pirate ship!" he called lazily, peering through binoculars at the unfamiliar red flag with a yellow windmill.
He didn't care much, but a shiver ran through him as he recalled his captain's bloodthirsty cruelty. Even as a crewmate, it unnerved him.
Turning to the approaching Freedom, he silently pitied its crew. "Poor bastards, crossing paths with us on this endless sea."
A glint of bloodlust flickered in his eyes. Anyone Cubi Rad let aboard was a lawless scoundrel, just like him.
---
Captain's Cabin
Snores rumbled like thunder before a storm, echoing outward.
On a sofa, a middle-aged man slept. Around 38, he was unremarkable save for his explosive muscles and a body crisscrossed with countless scars.
This was surely Cubi Rad, captain of the Mad Bull Pirates. Even asleep, he radiated a ferocious aura, like a caged beast.
Outside, a nameless crewman hesitated, debating whether to wake him. No one on the ship didn't fear Cubi Rad.
Creak!
Steeling himself, he pushed open the rickety wooden door. Failing to report a sighting was worse than disturbing the captain.
Cubi craved fame, aiming to surpass Arlong and Krieg as East Blue's mightiest. He relentlessly attacked towns, rival crews, and merchant ships. As a crewman, he knew this well.
Tiptoeing to Cubi's side, he whispered, "Captain, Captain…"
No response. Bracing himself, he shouted, "Captain!"
The snoring stopped.
Cubi's blood-red eyes snapped open, glaring with raw menace. Silent, he fixed the crewman with a stare that promised death if the news wasn't worth his time.
Sweat poured from the crewman, unable to meet those eyes. Head bowed, he blurted, "Captain, pirate ship dead ahead!"
"Pirate ship?" Cubi's hostility vanished. He sat up slowly, lit a cigar, and took a deep drag. Standing, he draped a brown coat over his shoulders.
"Let's see who they are," he said, striding out with a grin. "Hope they're worth my time."
---
As the ships met, both lowered sails, halting on the sea.
Ahua, Alo, and Ata stared at the towering man on the enemy's bow, curiosity alight. "That's a Devil Fruit user? Looks normal," they muttered.
Sora, however, leapt onto the Mad Bull's deck, perching on the bow's railing. His goal wasn't combat—not against this insignificant crew.
He wanted Ahua, Alo, and Ata to witness a Devil Fruit's power, preparing them for their own potential futures as users.
Grinning, he called to Cubi, "Yo! Mad Bull Cubi Rad, 15 million Belly bounty.Such a Scary guy!"
His tone dripped with mockery.
"Who do you think you're talking to?" a crewman roared, stepping forward. Anyone could see Sora's taunt.
Sora glanced at the lackey, eyes narrowing. "Scram."
Infused with Conqueror's Haki, his glare sent the man crashing to the deck, unconscious.
Thud!
The other pirates gasped. "What was that?" "Knocked him out with a look?" "That's insane!"
Their shocked gazes locked onto Sora.
Cubi glanced at his fallen crewman, sneering. "Useless." He'd felt a faint pressure but shrugged it off—knocking out one weakling wasn't impressive.
He met Sora's eyes, bellowing, "Name yourself, kid! The great Mad Bull doesn't kill nobodies!"
A jest, of course. This lunatic killed even his own men in his frenzies.
"Me?" Sora replied, deadpan. "Call me a partner of justice."
"Don't joke!" Cubi roared. "A pirate preaching justice? Laughable! If you're so righteous, join the navy! Stop spouting nonsense!"
He despised justice and its champions. He'd never known it.
As a child, slavers had snatched him, selling him to nobles. Decades of enslavement brought no kindness. Abused relentlessly, he was never treated as human—not by his masters, not by the townsfolk.
His hatred for the world festered, believing it deserved destruction.
When he accidentally ate the Yak-Yak Fruit, his resolve hardened. His first act was slaughtering his master's family, then razing the town. Seeing those he'd once groveled before beg at his feet drove him mad with power.
The thrill of domination consumed him. With this strength, he'd rule East Blue, making everyone feel his pain.
(End of Chapter)