Of Mischief and Yokai

[Fennec]

It was about noon in Resinbar, around this time the locals would usually settle the dispute in duels out in the town square especially in Whiskey Town. Something they called 'High Noon' however Gen had little to no interest in these events. No, for Gen noon meant lunchtime and tea! It also meant it was the hottest time of the day as the sun would be at the very center of the sky beaming its intense heat over him.

As Gen walked out of a local tavern he put on his wide brim rice hat and gave a grumpy sigh of discontent.

"Stupid sun... it's too damn hot!"

He grumbled as he walked with a bag through the town. Normally he would eat a tavern but there were too many crazy people hanging out in the tavern getting all rowdy. Usually, he wouldn't mind that kind of environment but today Gen was extra grumpy!

He had landed on Resinbar and it was too damn hot! Not to mention that local people seemed to scare away any potential pirates who Gen could hunt down. He would likely leave the island in a few days on the next fishing boat to whatever other island paradise had to offer.

Gen walked through the arid roads working up some dust with his wooden sandals. Until he made his way into a shaded gazebo area made of wooden. Much of it was shaded by a huge cactus the locals called Big Bill!

Gen opened up his bag and placed a cream-colored blanket on the floor. He then pulled out a black bento box with a standard meal of rice, fish, and assortment of vegetables along with some fried gyoza as well as some select salmon sushi. Gen then pulled out some tea and a cup to serve himself some.

Finally, he pulled out some sunscreen which he applied all over himself to help protect and soothe his red skin. Despite the hot weather and distant gunshots, Gen was actually enjoying himself a little! Time away from all the madness was exactly what he needed.

[BlacKitten]

OOC: I have permission to steal fish.

Miu - 1

On a dry and cloudless day, there was a cat dancing on a roof. Standing on her hind white paws, she boogied like a bipedal creature. Her little body move with a beat, her forepaws swaying back and forth. With a little cowboy hat befitting her little head, her face was shadowed by the rim.

Despite the sun striking down at noon, the furred creature was unaffected by the heat. She danced and smirked with clear and crisp rhythm as if there was music playing in the background.

Bang!

Her pose changed.

Bang!

Her pose changed again.

With each gunshot, her posture switched, dancing to the song of gunfire. Her back was grey, and her stomach was white. Her large yellow eyes gazed at the cowboys and cowgirls down below; many of them wearing a similar hat along with jeans, boots, and spurs. They were all tough-looking folks, but she bet that none of them had ever seen a dancing cowcat before.

The folks down below would point fingers and cackle with laughter at the funny scene above. All they saw was a weird little cat and allowed her to exist peacefully in their turf known as Whiskey Town. This was a place where outlaws gathered. Pirates and criminals would hang around here, and naturally, the bounty hunters were here to keep them in check. But she was just a cat, a dancing one, that gave no trouble to these people so far.

The scent of alcohol lingered in the air as an abundance of bars were open in these parts. Their specialty drink was called the Beer Cactus, made from the juices of a certain cactus with beer-tasting juices inside that can get one drunk just like regular beer.

Despite the scent tingling her little nose, she was disinterested with it all. But then, suddenly, her nose twitched at a scent that she knew all too well. It was a smell that burst open a passionate fiery spirit within her that halted her dance abruptly.

In a hasty rush, she leaped from rooftop to rooftop with all four paws, following the odor’s trail at a breakneck pace. With a single leap, she rocketed herself straight towards a wooden, shaded gazebo. Her eyes locked sight at black bento box.

Rice! Fish! Vegetables! Fried Groza! Salmon Sushi!

How rare it was to find such fine cuisine in a place such as this!

Whoosh! 

A cat-shaped bullet breezed right by, and the bento box was no longer where it used to be. On her hind legs, she waddled off into the distance, away from the gazebo, holding the box over her head with her forepaws. “Fish! Fish! Fish! Fish!” The feline chanted with a childish female voice.

[Fennec]

The grumpy Tengu prepared himself with his chopsticks staring down at his delicious food. Just before he went to eat it he closed his eyes in delight and reached out for one of the gyoza when... CLACK the sound of wood hitting wood resounded in his ears. Had he missed?

No way! Gen opened his eyes to see he had not missed. His bento box was actually just gone. Where in the nine hells had his bento gone?!? He was outraged! If the man wasn't already red he would have had turned red! Steam would have rushed out his hot head if possible!

Gen turned to see a cat walking on two legs had stolen his food and she was skidding away. A bakeneko! That's the only possible explanation! Only cats who have turned into bakeneko can walk on two legs like that and speak! Goodness, another Yokai in this cowboy town! No matter she was stealing his food. Now Gen wasn't exactly the greedy type he was willing to split even especially with the bakeneko. For one she was a Yokai and therefore a kinsmen of sorts. Secondly, she was also a cat an animal Gen had a soft spot for. He took a deep breath and let out a sigh, in essence, letting out the steam.


"Oi! Hold up bakeneko! Unhand my food at once! I am willing to share some of it with you but that's my lunch!"

Gen stood up, he eyed her a bit. His face probably seeming angrier than he actually was... not that he could help it the guy's face was always stuck in a permanent angry face. Despite his tone, his voice seemed tamed and calm. As if he was more willing to speak rather than pick a fight with what he perceived to be a little critter. Despite that in the back his mind he reminded himself... this was a bakeneko... a dangerous powerful Yokai.

"So come! Sit with me! Let's have some tea even!"

[BlacKitten]

Miu - 2

The waddling cat froze at what the red-faced man had called her. A Bakeneko. It was a surprisingly accurate term. Any normal human would have simply viewed her as a talking cat, yet this bearded man with black hair and long nose correctly identified the kind of feline she was.

She turned her head around, peeking back with a curious set of eyes. Suddenly, she sat down on the barren dirt ground, setting the bento box down. The feline faced right in front of the man at a distance as she nonchalantly picked up a piece of fish and tossed it into her mouth. “Mm-mm!” She chewed and hummed in delight and the scrumptious flavors melting in her mouth. The flesh was simply tender and cooked just right. Did this man make this meal all by himself? As a seafood chef herself, she was impressed. And the visually aesthetics of the bento box was stunning and gorgeous. It was a work of art – almost too beautiful to be eaten. She then tossed a little chunk of rice into her mouth to blend the oily flavors with the warm grains that soaked it up, mellowing it out.

“Wow! You’re a nice person, old man,” said the feline who was sitting underneath the sun, unbothered by the heat. She then picked up the salmon sushi and chucked it into her mouth. Her little paws pressed against her cheeks as her eyes sparkled, “SO YUMMY!”

Miu was torn. This man was nice enough to share this meal with her, yet her gluttonous nature prevented her from accepting the idea of sharing it. She then arrived at a compromise, “How about I have all the fish, and you can have all everything else?” Cats were carnivores after all; they needed their protein.

The tea was tempting, but fish reigned supreme on her palates. She wasn’t going to give up on the fish so easily, especially when it was so well made.

The little cat then chucked another salmon sushi into her mouth. “Either I get all the fish, or I get everything,” she concluded. The fried gyoza and vegetables were negotiable, but she was unwilling to compromise the fish.

She didn't walk back towards the red-faced man, but she didn't run away either. She was simply sitting at a distance under the sun, trying to tantalize him.

[Fennec]

Gen narrowed his eyes thinking about it for a moment. On one hand, he kind of wanted some of the fish since a fried mackerel in this style was an oddity in these waters. But on the other, it was a Bakeneko and he had no idea what to expect from it.

For all, he knew the beast could decide it would want to eat the flesh of a civilian and after all bakeneko was known to have a taste for human flesh. Gen wasn't about to put someone else living on the line over some fish. The Tengu finally closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

"Fine... you can have the fish I'll make do with everything else."

He grumpily fixed his hat to make sure no sunlight would cross through. He was a bit on the fence on the matter but whatever! He would be kind to his 'guest' at least that's what his mother had taught him growing up. To give the best to one's guest. Gen sat down cross-legged on the cream-colored blanket. He served up two cups of tea one for him and one for the kitty cat. He placed them both on the blanket on the floor then with his left hand he motioned toward them.

"Come demon cat! Let's have tea over a meal like good friends! For today you are my guest!"

Gen said, his voice was gentle and calm as he said those words. He then crossed his arms waiting to see what the cat would do next. Would she accept? Or would she run away with the meal? Was this all a trick? Al these thoughts ran through the red man's head.

"Since you'll be my guest for today bakeneko... what is your name?"

[BlacKitten]

Miu - 3

“Mm?” The sitting grey-white cat tossed another salmon sushi into her mouth, chewing and pondering at the same time. She didn’t expect this man to accept her offer, imagining that the fish was the best part of this bento box and that no one in their right mind would accept such a terrible deal.

Well, she didn’t think this man was lying. But could such generosity be realistic? Normally, when she steals other people’s food, they yell and shake their fist, and if she was lucky, they play tag and hide-and-go-seek with her. But, rarely would she ever receive the same kind of reaction as this red-faced man. He didn’t look like someone who was native to this island. Appearance aside, he lacked the accent that the cowboys and cowgirls have around here.

Miu grabbed the bento box with her two paws and began walking back on two legs. The feline reached the gazebo, beneath the shade, sat a few feet in front of the man and settled the box of food down between the two of them. Swiftly, she swiped for a fish and gobbled it down.

On the cream-colored blanket laid beneath them, the cat picked up a cup of warm tea with a single paw and took a sip. Warm light-green liquid flowed down her throat with a refreshing quality to it. Drinking warm tea in” the hot, barren wasteland at noon, what a perfect time and place for drinking tea.

Letting out a sigh of delight, the cat looked up towards the man, “My name is Koneko Miu. How do you know so much about my kind – that I’m a Bakeneko?”

[Fennec]

The man's usual scowl changed into a small smirk. "Heh." He simply said as he saw the cute kitty gobble down the fried mackerel. It was a true oddity to see the peaceful scene of these two individuals enjoying a meal under the shade of a giant cactus as the shots of guns were booming in the background. Within Gen's mind some words of wisdom he had heard as a kid resonated. They were from Grandpa Momochi! He said 'The world is a wondrous place! It is a true sorrow not everyone can appreciate it.'

"Hmm well met Koneko Miu! My name is Momochi Gen... you can just call me Gen."

The red man grabbed his cup taking a sip of the lukewarm liquid. It wasn't the most appetizing thing in this kind of weather but that mattered not to Gen! He was simply upholding tradition. A gentle dry breeze came blowing from the north side rustling the cactus buds and Gen's hat a bit. He looked at the cat for a moment. 'Miu... damn what a fitting name.' He thought to himself.

"Well, that's a good question, Miu! I come from Wano! It's an island far away! Deep in the Grand Line! The legends of Yokai and other spirits like bakeneko are talked about almost on a daily basis by the common folk."

Gen explained, he gave a proud smile when he announced his homeland! To him, it was a great nation! Even if it had fallen into a bit of a decline in recent years.

"More often than not yokai are the cause of the many oddities we see on our day to day basis. I myself am a Yokai... a Tengu to be exact! It's why my skin is red, my nose long, and I have small wings on my back."

He pointed at each aspect of himself as he explained them in detail. He hoped his answers would satisfy the curious kitten. The red man took another sip from his tea and let out a sigh of relief.

"I miss my nation... but... duty calls. You know?"

Gen scratched his chin for a bit as if to ponder in a matter. 

"You know, I would of never expected to find a Bakeneko around these parts but I guess the Grand Line is full of surprises. So maybe it's not all that unusual. Hm." He gave Miu a little shrug.

[BlacKitten]

Miu - 4

“Momochi… Gen?” the little cat tried pronouncing the man’s name.
The feline listened to this man named Gen attentively. As a brand-new adventurer, she had only been about a month since she left her island, so she knew little about the vastness of the world. She had never heard of an island named Wano before, but according to his man, there were legends of Yokai such as the Bakeneko.

But, just a legend?

Apparently, Yokai were the cause of many strange phenomenon from where he came from, and Gen had even identified himself as one, a Tengu to be exact.

Oh? Is he a Devil Fruit user like me?

Red skin. Long nose. Small wings. Yes, Miu was convinced that these were not ordinary human characteristics. What she was seeing before her must be another Devil Fruit user.

Like eating popcorn at a move theater, the feline devoured the remaining salmon sushi throughout listening to this man.

“Gen,” she pointed out with a paw to gesture towards him, “If you’re a Yokai, do you have strange powers as well?” She tilted her head, “With those wings, can you fly?” They were unusually small wings. But her master, Pluto, had the ability of flight due to being able to sprout large bat wings.

Miu didn’t know what a Tengu was exactly. She didn’t know what a Tengu can do. She just figured that if a Bakeneko was a Yokai and had special powers, then perhaps a Tengu, which is also a Yokai, might also have strange powers too.

---

Meanwhile, a cowboy who was leaning outside at a bar overheard the initial part of the conversation between the two from a distance. He had witnessed that cat dancing on the roof earlier, and while greatly amused, he didn’t think much of it beyond just a strange and funny creature. However, the moment that talking feline identified herself as Koneko Miu, he recalled hearing that name before.

In the pocket of his back jean, he pulled out a rolled-up stack of parchments with dozens of wanted criminals. As the man went through each sheet, he stopped at a certain one. A bounty poster for Koneko Miu; he remembered this one well, having received this a few weeks ago. There was a dark silhouette of a girl in the picture with glowing round eyes, triangular ears, and a tail. But most mysteriously were the mystic blue flames in the background; those were no ordinary flames. And above all else, this wanted criminal had a bounty of sixty million Beri – quite the substantial number for someone who only just became recently known in these seas.

The thought that this criminal could take on the form of a cat wasn’t impossible. With a Zoan-Type Devil Fruit, she might have the power to become a little cat. What luck! He thought that the Zoan-Types were perhaps the weakest of the three categories. That red-skinned man must be mistaken. The reason this cat can talk was most likely because that cat is human.

With two revolvers held on each side of in his brown, leathery holster, the cowboy began to approach the gazebo. “Howdy, cat! Done maah ears chucklehead me? Or done ya say ya were Koneko Miu?” He held out the stack of wanted posters in his hand with the front page showing the one corresponding to the criminal who went by that name. By no means did the cat look anything like what the picture showed, but a Devil Fruit power can easily explain that.

The little cat looked over at the cowboy; her mouth was busy chewing on the fried mackerel. “Hmm…, I haven’t seen that in a while,” she commented with a full mouth, glaring at her own wanted poster.

---

Miu - #ffc957
Cowboy - #c57143

[Fennec]

The kitten poised a good question... did Gen have any special powers? Well, he was always a bit quicker than most and was always on the superhuman side of things when it came to raw strength... so by no means did he consider himself a mere man.

But at the same time, he lacked any special power... probably because he had yet to develop it? What did Tengu do? Hmm from the stories he heard they could fly, were exceptionally good at wielding swords and had control over the wind. Gen could use a sword! He was by no means a legend with it but he could hold his own in a duel.

"Well... I don't have any yet... perhaps I have yet to awaken them! They do say Yokai grow stronger the older they are and I am only twenty-six."

Gen looked back at his wings for a moment as if pondering what to say about them.

"As for my wings... hmm no I can't fly with them. But perhaps that might change next time we meet if we ever do run into each other again."

The Tengu explained, he reached to his side picking up his 'kiseru' or pipe! It was about a foot and a half long. The piece was made of dark brown wood and coated in a golden metal at each end.

He then reached down at a toad shaped 'netsuke' or ornamented pouch which hung from an 'obi' or sash which was part of his kimono. He pulled out some dried tobacco leaves and a match placing them in the pipe. He lit the pipe up and began to smoke, the smell of tobacco filled the air around him as puffs raised up to the clouds.

Amidst all this, a cowboy came up, said some stuff about Miu and how she was a wanted criminal. Gen was about to defend the kitten from the menace. Despite her being a mischievous bakeneko her treatment of Gen had left a positive impression on him. But then the man pulled out the wanted poster with 60 million Beri and the bakeneko's name plastered over it. Gen blushed in amusement his cheeks turning a shade of maroon to reflect against his red skin.

He looked down at the small demon cat... what did she do to anger the Marines? No matter! What is worse Gen was a bounty hunter to think he was eating with someone designated as an enemy?! The Tengu shook his head and took a deep breath in an attempt to recollect himself. Criminal or no criminal! She was his guest for the afternoon and he would not allow anybody especially a nobody Bounty Hunter ruins his damn afternoon! No sir! Gen stood up and crossed his arms.

"Hey, sir! No need to get all aggressive pointing fingers about. Miu is a very common cat name!"

Gen explained, he took a few buffs out of his long pipe. He started to chuckle a bit.

"Besides the image doesn't even match her appearance even if bakeneko are known to shapeshift it's really rude of you to assume."

He hoped this would deter the man. But Gen's gut told him the man was stubborn and likely would not back off easily. No matter, in any case, Gen was ready to defend himself... as for Miu she probably didn't need his help in a fight with that 60 million on her head. After all, bakeneko were notorious for having inhuman levels of strength.

[BlacKitten]

Miu - 5

Both the cowboy and the feline tilted their heads upon hearing Gen’s initial words upon standing up; they had the exact same thought: Miu is a common cat name?

Even the feline, who owned eight different cats back home, didn’t know that. But as the two grown ups were talking, the kitten continued to nonchalantly munch down on the fried fish along with some rice.

The dark-haired cowboy didn’t buy any of what Gen was saying, “Listen hair, ya. I don’t know what a Bakeneko is. But ifin’ ya know anythin’ about Zoan-type Devil Fruits, the-yn everythin’ about this cat starts ta add up!” In a split second, he drew his revolver from his holster and pointed the end of the barrel straight at the cat.

Miu continued to nibble on her food and occasionally sipped some tea.

“Get the lead out up! An show us yo-wr true form!” The cowboy barked with a threatening gesture, wanting this feline to transform into something that mildly resembles into the wanted poster.

The kitten calmly held up a single palm as a gesture for him to pause, “Hold up! Let me finish eating first?” She then casually continued chowing down on the remaining fish and rice in the bento box.

The cowboy’s stern look began to melt down into an irritated glare. His teeth gnashed impatiently as he watched his potential target simply eating right in front of him without a care in the world. “Ya… You done yet?” He grumbled, still holding his revolver at the cat.

“No, hold on. Let me drink some tea,” she held up a paw to prolong the cowboy’s waiting. The kitten held her cup with both paws and sipped the warm liquid down her little mouth, quenching her thirst.

“Alright, ya had yo-wr tea. Ya ready yet?” The cowboy’s right eye began twitching. Veins bulging at the side of his temple. Just how much longer did have to stand there.

“Ah, almost! Let me have another cup of tea,” she held up a paw again before pouring herself another cup of tea before slurping it down her throat.

“Ya had yo-wr second cuhp awf tea! Now get the lead out up an transform!”

“Sure thing,” the feline nodded in agreement. “But first,” She curled into a ball and closed her eyes. “Wait until I finish my cat nap.”

“SCREW YA!” The cowboy stomped his foot in frustration. He was made to wait all this long just for the cat to take a nap!? This cat clearly had no intention of cooperating with him. He began to hesitate. The bounty was a hefty one, yet what if he was wrong? What if this cat was just a talking cat? If he identified his target incorrectly, he might end up shooting an innocent little animal. He didn’t like the thought of having to shoot such a harmless little creature which was why he had been urging this feline to transform into something more menacing that was worthy of being shot at by his revolver.

“Zzz…,” the feline purred in mere seconds.

The cowboy collapsed onto his knees with his hands on the ground. With his unarmed hand, he formed a fist and repeatedly slammed the wooden floor of the gazebo in frustration, “Darn it! Ah don't know what ta do! This cat is messin' with me! You really Koneko Miu?”

“Zzz…,” more purring could be heard in response to his rant.

[Fennec]

Gen crossed his arms as he saw the whole pantomime go on. He couldn't believe the kitten... on one hand, he felt she was being serious but on the other, he couldn't help but feel she was just toying with the man knowing she could get away without fighting. Simply playing off her charisma as a small cat. The Tengu sighed and shook his head, he could not believe his eyes.

"So what now cowboy?"

He asked the torn bounty hunter who was now on his knees crying to himself over the whole matter. Gen went and served up some tea offering it to the cowboy.

"Here man just calm down! It's just a bounty and this is just a talking cat... besides if it was her... do you think you could be someone w-"

Gen got cut short as a news coo came by! One of those news birds that flew across the sea bringing news. They usually came during the morning unless they had a great matter to report. This seemed to be the case as the bird dropped a newspaper in Gen's hands in exchange for a coin. The Tengu didn't even have to open the newspaper... on the front page right there it was.

'Rainbase Massacre' the title read, Gen, raised a brow. What could have possibly happened and who was behind all this? He turned to the next page and as he did his eyes popped open as his face went blue in shock. The Tengu simply turned the paper over to the cowboy displaying the new bounty.

'Koneko Miu' wanted dead or alive... bounty of 140,000,000

Gen simply blinked a few times before his face returned to its normal scowl. He turned his head to look at the sleeping kitty cat. What the hell could she have possibly done to get that bounty? What was this massacre all about? This was simply madness.

"Well umm... this is a turn of events..."

[BlacKitten]

Miu - 6

When the sound of fluttering reached the kitten’s ears, Miu poked her head up wide awake. “Birdy!” She chirped. Just after the giant seagull dropped off the newspaper, the feline pounced towards it with a drooling mouth with white fangs baring in the open.

A bead of sweat trickled down the bird’s neck as its eyes momentarily popped out of their sockets at the sight of a predator coming for its throat. Immediately, the white seagull haphazardly took off, evading the vicious feline and desperately flew as far away as possible.

“Aw, it got away,” the little cat took a few moments to lick its arm with her comb-like tongue, grooming herself as the Tengu and the cowboy read the newspaper.

Upon reading their expressions, she grew curious as to what happened to have seemingly raised such a look of surprise from these two humanoid folks. Scurrying towards the newspaper, she poked her little head to gaze at what was on the page, only to spot a picture of her bounty poster with a brand-new bounty that more than doubled her previous one.

She looked on with a blank stare until abruptly shrieked, “EHHHHHH!!!!?” Standing on her hind legs she raised her paws up defensively as if the newspaper was about to attack her.

What happened? How did her bounty break through the nine-digit threshold so easily?
The cowboy silently stared at the feline with great suspicious, “W-What did ya do!?”

Standing on two legs, Miu shrugged with a sly smirk, “Well…, I guess cuteness is a crime.” She walked towards the newspaper once more to give it a brief read. “Let’s see here, if that’s my bounty, then surely, my master has an even higher one.” Seconds later, she blinked, “Hm?”

“Wait, ya jus’ admitted that this is yo-wr bounty,” the cowboy began sweating profusely, and it wasn’t due to the heat. He had readied himself to take one someone with a sixty million Beri bounty, but now, he was completely flabbergasted that this puny little cat now has a bounty of one-hundred forty million Beri.

Meanwhile, Miu noted that there was no mentioning of her master anywhere on the page. The only term that was used was ‘Black Wing’, but it seemed there was a lack of description about him. From the looks of it, the World Government knew neither his name nor his appearance. They knew nothing about him and are openly welcoming anyone who knows anything about him.

From a stunned expression, her face slowly transitioned into one trying to hold back a laughter, but suddenly she burst, “Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha! Seriously!? My master killed a Vice Admiral and an entire marine force, and they still know nothing about him? I guess there were no witnesses left since he killed them all.”

“Wait, ya jus' said sumthin' dreadfully scary,” the cowboy felt his heart pounding rapidly as the cat casually spoke about her master killing a Vice Admiral along with an entire marine force.

She then glanced at the newspaper once more, “Oh hey! Kite has a bounty too now.”

It became dreadfully clear that this cat did indeed have a link to the Rainbase Massacre as she recognized other criminals along with those who weren’t even mentioned. But still, something didn’t add up for the cowboy. Why would the World Government blame all of this on a single cat?

“Jus’ who or what are you?” the man took several steps back, holding his revolver back at the cat with more confidence than ever that this was the one – his prey. However, if what this cat said was true, then her master sounded incredibly terrifying. In fact, if he were to shoot this cat right now, would the killer of that Vice Admiral seek vengeance upon him? Just what were the consequences of targeting this cat? Was this bounty just a mistake?

The cat playfully laid on her back, squirming around playfully, “I’m telling you! Cuteness is a crime!”

[Fennec]

The Tengu cringed as he heard the cat essentially admit that was her bounty poster. Gen facepalmed and let out a sigh of disappointment... this Bakeneko was not very bright despite her power. He looked down at Miu and raised a brow as if to say seriously? Did you give your information up that easily? But as she spoke he notice things got a little more interesting.

Even if she had admitted to her crimes essentially what she added served as a sort of shield. The words 'master' and 'killed Vice Admiral' resounded across Gen's mind. Her master was strong enough to kill a Vice Admiral and cream a bunch of Marines? What kind of guy was he!?! More importantly... where the hell was he!? No matter how tempting her bounty might seem to the cowboy knowing of that 'Master' should deter him. Gen frowned and looked at the cowboy who was now backing off aiming his guns at Miu.

"Hey kid, give it up! If she earned that bounty that probably means she is stronger than she is letting on."

Gen took some puffs from his pipe, then breathed them out as smoke rings. He looked down at the kitty next to him who had a playful attitude to her.

"She might seem cute and harmless but... she is a demon. A demon cat... and I sure as hell and certain your guns ain't killing a demon cat."

Gen chuckled to himself, he was truly certain of his words! He felt confident they were very much true. After all, one thing Tengu was known for is wisdom!

"So if I where you kid, I'd beat it! Ever wonder why she isn't even flinching at the fact you're aiming your guns at her? That's probably because she knows you won't be able to beat her... gun or no gun my friend. So unless you have some gimmick up your sleeve you have yet to reveal walk away before it's too late.


Gene crossed his arms slowly and looked up to the sky as if contemplating the matter more thoroughly.

"But hey! Maybe I am wrong... even so, a broken clock is right at least twice a day."

The man who usually never head a cheerful disposition stuck out his tongue playfully and then laughed out loud.

"In other words. What I am saying is... FLY YOU FOOL!"

[BlacKitten]

Miu - 7

When Gen use the term ‘demon cat’, the cowboy interpreted that to mean ‘devil cat’ which implied that the cat had been cursed by the devil of the sea in the form of consuming a Devil Fruit.

“Ah know,” the cowboy replied to the Tengu, acknowledging everything that had been said to him. The sight of playfulness from the cat was unnerving, especially when a revolver was being pointed right at her. If he were to pull the trigger, he couldn’t imagine how the bullet could fail to land its mark. A hefty bounty in the nine digits was certainly beyond what he had prepared for and trying to hunt her alone was certainly far too greedy even for him.

“Ya're raahyt,” he said to the Tengu. “But, where do ya thihnk we are? This is Whiskey Town. Most bounty hunters flawk over here. Do ya thihnk this cat can take over an entire town’s worth of bounty hunters? I thihnk not!” Although he and the other hunters would have to split the reward, but with a bounty that huge, even splitting up the prize money would lead to a pretty nifty gain in profit.

And with that, the cowboy returned his gun back into its holster before walking away. He planned on rounding up a gang of fellow bounty hunters just to be on the safe side. What they lacked in power could be made up with numbers, and folks around here were not afraid of pirates.

Meanwhile, the feline rolled onto her four paws, gazing out towards the man who was leaving. “Ooo! Is the whole town going to play with me? That sounds fun!” She was clearly amused at the thought.

She then shifted her glance towards the Tengu, “Hey Gen! If you’re from a faraway place, then what brings you here? Are you a pirate or something?” They were in the age of pirates, so she wondered if this man was part of the movement of ambitious folks sailing the seas in search for the One Piece. From the food she had consumed, she could easily accept the idea that this man came from a very foreign culture – one with yummy cuisine.

[Fennec]

"Good luck with that!"

Gen waved the guy goodbye as he ran away to 'gather more people' which... admittedly was rather concerning. But even that didn't seem concerning for Miu who was more curious about Gen's job than anything else. The Tengu sighed and turned to look down at the kitten sitting next to him.

"Nah, I am no pirate I am a bounty hunter just like that guy! Except, at times I overlook bounties when it suits me."

He shrugged, it was true he would often overlook bounties when it suited him. If he saw something good in the person or if there was something worthwhile they had given him. The law is made by imperfect humans and as such imperfections are bound to exist in the law. It was a simple matter really.

As for admitting to being a bounty hunter to the cat? He wasn't scared... if she would have wanted to hurt him she would have done it already and she clearly hadn't. Was she mildly annoying? Yea, but that wasn't a crime nor was it an inherently bad thing.

"So, you don't have to worry about me. I don't care about your bounty. Frankly, I am astonished it's that big... you must have made someone really mad to get that."

Gen sighed, he went over to pick up the blanket and put his things away. The chat with the kitten had been fun but it was time for him to move on. He would probably move to a port town and wait for the next trading ship off the island to see where it would take him next. Hopefully not another dry hot island like this one.