Chapter 16: Basic Story Plot
The afternoon weather was sunny.
The wind was gentle, and the sun shone brightly, occasionally sending a light breeze across the face.
Hermes sat on the balcony of a second-floor outdoor café, leisurely enjoying his coffee. The bandages had been removed, and his injuries had mostly healed.
It had been a month since he took down Chainman at an opportune moment.
Compared to his initial weakness after transmigrating, Hermes had grown significantly stronger. The combat experience from those battles had been fully absorbed.
He continued his basic training and Devil Fruit development without neglect.
Rising from the ranks in this beginner’s village and becoming a dominant force was only a matter of time.
With Plan A completed, it was time to move to the capital and try Plan B. He needed to learn new skills; relying solely on the Finger Pistol for attacks was too limiting.
Additionally, developing the Devil Fruit powers was proving more difficult than he had anticipated.
No wonder some users in the original series seemed so inept with their abilities. It wasn’t for lack of ideas but because the process required time. One couldn’t just think of an idea today and develop it by tomorrow.
Like conducting experiments, it required constant trial, error, and innovation. Power wasn’t easily attained; otherwise, why were there so few strong people in the world compared to the masses?
Opportunity, talent, and willpower were all indispensable.
“This kind of leisurely life is perfect for lying low,” Hermes thought, enjoying the moment. If he had no ambitions, he could live a carefree life in a small, remote town. Unfortunately, Hermes was not that kind of person.
He was free-spirited.
Finishing his coffee in one gulp, Hermes stood up and headed downstairs.
This café also sold various snacks, such as fried chicken meals, popular among the local children, making the first floor quite lively.
By coincidence.
As Hermes opened the door to leave, seven or eight fierce-looking pirates suddenly pushed it open from the outside. The noisy hall fell silent instantly.
This development.
This scene.
This routine.
The basic operations of a novel.
Being the protagonist often attracted trouble, so a new challenge had arrived.
This script felt familiar!
“Brat, get out of the way.”
Just as Hermes expected, the leading pirate, a three-meter-tall brute wielding a large machete, reached out to push Hermes aside, not taking him seriously at all.
This…
Hermes had a strange expression but stood firm like a nail in the ground, not moving an inch, surprising the pirate.
“Take your paw off me.”
Before Hermes could finish speaking, a pistol was pressed to his temple by another pirate. The gun-wielding pirate was adept and quick.
Splat!!!
Before the pirate could react, a bloody hole appeared at his waist, blood gushing out as he stared wide-eyed in fear.
“I hate having guns pointed at me.”
Casually flicking away imaginary blood, Hermes coldly glared at the pirates.
“Damn it.”
“How did Hal die?”
“It was this kid.”
“You’re dead! We are from the Twin Wheel Pirates.”
“Take him down.”
The pirates reacted, their rage boiling over.
They were there to collect protection money. With the Dog-Dog Pirates and Chain Pirates eliminated the Twin Wheel Pirates had taken control of most of Mayotte Town.
Their power had swelled several times over.
Consequently, their pirates had become extremely arrogant and oppressive, intimidating and extorting the locals who dared not resist.
Little did they know they had run into a real tough guy this time.
Bang!!!
Gunshots rang out as three pirates fired simultaneously, trying to turn Hermes into a sieve, showing their utter disregard for life.
This highlighted just how ruthless the Twin Wheel Pirates had become.
“He vanished.”
As Hermes shrank and disappeared, the leading pirates felt a chill run down their spines, a name popping into their heads.
Ah!!!
Screams filled the air as the three gun-wielding pirates were taken down instantly, blood spurting from their waists.
“Damn it, he’s the pirate hunter Hermes Jörmungandr.”
Sweating profusely, one pirate’s previous arrogance was completely replaced by fear and disbelief.
That ability to shrink and grow, the finger-based attacks, the preference for targeting the waist, the white shirt, tousled hair, and black pants—it all matched perfectly.
“What? This kid is Hermes Jörmungandr, the pirate hunter who took down Captains Joya and Chainman?”
“He likes to stab his enemies in the waist.”
“That’s definitely him!”
“This is bad. The captain warned us not to provoke him.”
“Joya and Chainman couldn’t handle him. Only the captain can. We need to run.”
The remaining pirates were cunning. Realizing who Hermes might be, they immediately bolted for the door.
“Ah~”
“Help!”
The pirates at the front didn’t look back, even as the screams behind them grew louder.
The entire street fell silent as many townspeople watched in disbelief. One man was chasing the Twin Wheel Pirates like dogs.
It felt oddly satisfying.
“Did I just hear Hermes Jörmungandr’s name?”
“Could that young man be him?”
“It must be. Who else would dare chase the Twin Wheel Pirates? It’s the pirate hunter Hermes Jörmungandr.”
“I thought he left Mayotte Town.”
“He’s so young.”
“The Twin Wheel Pirates must have provoked him. They deserve it. It would be great if they got wiped out too.”
Many were hopeful.
The Twin Wheel Pirates had been despicable, killing, looting, and extorting at will. Countless innocent women had suffered at their hands.
“Hahaha, our chance has come.”
While some commoners had simple hopes, pirates oppressed by the Twin Wheel Pirates saw an opportunity for growth.
If Hermes took out the Twin Wheel Pirates like he did the Dog-Dog and Chain Pirates, they could swoop in and claim the spoils, skyrocketing their own power.
Even if the worst happened and both sides suffered heavy losses, they could deliver the final blow and rise to prominence.
“We have the advantage.”
“Get the men ready.”
“Keep a close eye on the Twin Wheel Pirates.”
“Hermes Jörmungandr is ruthless. His past actions prove it.”
Mayotte Town buzzed with activity. Beneath its surface, scheming hearts and dark plots churned.
Meanwhile.
Hermes had chased the pirates back to the Twin Wheel Pirates’ base. The last pirate barely escaped with his life, sweating and gasping in relief.
Terrifying.
Eight brothers went out, only he returned. Luckily, his secret escape practice paid off.
“Pirate hunter Hermes Jörmungandr.”
At the base.
Tension filled the air as Hermes faced over thirty armed pirates. More pirates were arriving from various points, totalling fifty or sixty.
The crowd parted.
Captain Kokos, dressed in a cowboy outfit with twin guns at his waist, approached, his expression serious.
After a month of no sightings, Kokos had hoped Hermes had left Mayotte.
Of course, whatever you fear most always happens. They were bound to clash.
“You’re the captain of the Twin Wheel Pirates, Kokos, with a bounty of 44 million?”
“This might be a misunderstanding.”
As Hermes finished speaking, Kokos replied.
He didn’t want conflict with Hermes, so he took a step back.
It was a significant concession.
But Hermes wasn’t interested.
“Misunderstanding or not, I’ve got my eye on your head.”
“I’ll come for it soon.”
Hermes chose not to fight now. Outnumbered, he would be at a disadvantage. He wasn’t yet strong enough to ignore numbers.
Bang!!!
“Shoot him.”
Two bullets flew. Kokos’s eyes were filled with killing intent.
His decisiveness surprised Hermes.
One moment he wanted to avoid conflict, the next he was attacking.
Luckily, Hermes reacted quickly, shrinking to avoid the bullets, and then bolted without hesitation.
Become a Patron read up to 40 chapter ahead public release ^_^
Please join Discord Server so we can talk ^_^
