The beginning of a whole new adventure

[|The SHAKINATOR|]

The sea was calm this morning, calmer than its usual self. A few seagulls flew overhead as the young swordsman looked up towards the clouds that were slowly drifting pass. He had been waiting now for a while, wandering about aimlessly in the open sea's, looking for a quick, easy job. However, no ships had come by these past few days and his rations were running low again.

Garuda sat up into an upright position, being careful not to unstable his self crafted, raft of a boat. The bounty hunter had been eagerly waiting for the local Marine's to pass by with an updated list of bounty's for the West Blue Islands. His catches had become increasingly difficult to find and his funds were becoming scarce. If he couldn't grab himself a reward by the end of the fortnight, he would have to drop into the closest island and grab himself a normal job, perhaps join up with a local shipwright.

Garuda squints his eyes and to his luck, his eyes fall upon a white flag in the distance. A smile creeped upon his face as the sign of the marine sail came into view. The wait was over and the other party had arrived. Garuda left his raft and climbed aboard the Marine vessel, ignoring the low ranked marines that were standing by and went right up the ships captain, giving his hand a firm shake before handing his sword to one of the marine's standing by as the Marine Captain allows the bounty hunter to follow his through into the cabin.

::{~~Marine Captain~~}::
"So how has it been my friend. Got anything this week."

The look on Garuda's face gave it away.

"A no I presume. Not to worry though my young friend, I've got a healthy stock for you this week and they're all local. There are a couple I would be wary of but the rest should be as easy as pie for someone of your caliber. You should seriously consider a job as a marine. I could provide a good word in for you."

::{~~Uzuki Garuda~~}::
"I know you say it because you believe this would be the best for me but I don't see myself joining the marines. Not yet anyway. So who do you think I should hunt down first? So that we can both make some quick money. I'm seriously broke."

"Well, ... I could always give you a bit in advance, I do trust you and all. If you're ever short, you know I'll sort it out for you. Besides, its you who does all the hard work."

The Marine Captain hands the list of bounty's over to the young bounty hunter before going over some of the details.

"I'm all good for now and 20% isn't really much of a loss. Besides, you could easily hunt these guys down yourself. If it wasn't for you, how else would I make a living. Anyways, I should seriously get a move on if you expect me to get all of these by next week."

"Aren't you eager eh? I've sorted the list out with the best jobs at the top and the more difficult one's at the bottom. The highest rewards at B350,000 but I wouldn't consider it to be honest. Too much mess, got quite a crew this one has."

"I'll keep that in mind but the money sure does make my mouth water. I'll see you soon."

[|The SHAKINATOR|]

Trusts me eh? The lying bastard. Makes me takes my sword off at the front and says he trusts me. Not like I need a sword to finish these guys off. At the end of the day, it's these parasites who feed me and feed off me at the same time.

Garuda grips his sheathed sword and attaches it to his waist, walking off the ship with pride, ignoring the fact that he rides in a self-crafted raft. Although it was small and not very safe, the raft was better than nothing and could get the job done. Besides, its speed was as good as any small boat for the job Garuda had done with it was definitely worth praising. With a wide sail attached to to the back, a rudder for movement and a mechanism for enhanced rowing, this piece of wood could move.

He stared at the name on the β350,000 wanted poster and considered the option.

Ryan 'The Colt' Jackson
β350,000
Whereabouts: Unknown

I could seriously do with this kind of money. Rent and provisions would be sorted for the next few months with the option of buying a boat in there as well.

North Blue? South Blue? East Blue? Garuda hadn't decided where he wished to head off to but as long as it was away from West Blue, he didn't really care. He knew his destination was the Grand Line and the only way he was getting there was with a ship and a crew. Searching through his list of bounties, Garuda found he a couple he was keen on.

'Queen Katie'
β125,000
Heading for Winchester Island

Roman Vladimir
β100,000
Last seen sailing the open seas, heading for Winchester Island.

Although he had never set foot on the island, he knew where it was and knew what dangers it held, for this island was an intermediate between a marine and a pirate island. He knew what he had to do. Go in quietly, search out his targets and when the moment would be right, he would strike them and take them to the Stanley Base.

[|The SHAKINATOR|]

. . . . . . .

A couple of days had gone now since Uzuki Garuda had set out to capture the bounties of Queen Katie and Captain Vladimir. The Marine had clearly stated they were both headed in the direction of Winchester Island and Garuda had been on route for a whole two days but there was no sign of any other ships to be seen. The steel of his sword was begging to be released and set free upon the bodies of their opponents, thirsty for a drop of blood.

The clouds were beginning to gather over ahead. Although Uzuki Garuda was no navigator, he could feel something was upsetting the skies, a storm was on its way. Unless he managed to find some land, quick, this storm will consume him within the might West Blue. Just as the thought came across him a lightning bolt struck the water surrounding him, sending a slight shock wave through his raft and giving him the shudders. The clouds were gaining weight and were planning to attack any moment now. The wind had picked up its stride and the heavens had opened up to allow rain to shoot down. A loud roar of thunder ripping the skies apart, alarmed Garuda even further.

A little panicked, the bounty hunter began rowing with more force but with his current situation and health, it was to no use. A strong current was starting with the mighty wind and there was no use to resist. The only option was to keep the raft stable and row along with the direction of the wind and let the ocean guide him to his destination.

. . . . . . .