Kids are nothing but trouble (Nero and Crocodile)

[Farris (Kuro)]

The day was the sort of day that the former warlord hated. It was cold, wet and pouring down raining and the only things keeping him dry were the shelter of thick heavy trees and his long fur coat. His mind wondered back to what brought him to East blue and Woonan Island. The smuggling ring he had going got snuffed out and he needed to lay low for a while. There was also "Other buisness" he had to check on here but that could wait a little longer. Woonan island was fairly remote but even he was a little interested by the rumored gold to be found here. Maybe he could add it to his own wealth before he moved on to more pressing details.

First thing was first though... He needed to wait out this rain and dry off. His Logia was useless until then and thus Sir crocodile was stuck here. Though he had to wonder if he was the only one here? He had his doubts, and if there was gold here then there was also the higher possibility that it had been claimed already. Information from bars could be so unreliable, on the other hand if it was claimed, why were the rumors still circulating? The former Shichibukai pondered this a moment more as he started to wring out his fur coat just as the rain started to die out...

[nero]

Phelgm built up in the rookie's lungs as he let out a rather loud sneeze. Cursed rain. The weather was terrible, and it hadn't lightened up for days. Pneumonia, it was sure to be the death of him, and soon if he didn't hurry inside somewhere. A local bar perhaps? Could work, though Ben had never fancied bars too much to begin with. As he trudged onward, he was sure to find one and fair enough he did.

It seemed as if it had just been hit my something massive, not all too long ago. It was an old tavern it's door barely standing amongst a rotted foundation. The glass on the windows was the for the most part nonexistent and the sign above the doorframe missing all but a few letters. Nice enough place right? He was sure this was a bandit hideout, but the young man had no other options.

Inside now, Ben sat down on a low barstool, his head barely reaching the top of the counter. He sat there for what seemed to be the passing of a century. The service in this dump was null, but at least he was out of the frying pan. A while later, a bartender managed to hobble his way out of the makeshift kitchen. The root beer he ordered tasted like it was soiled with something but it was better than nothing, he thought. After all, his biggest worry was getting out of there alive.

[Farris (Kuro)]

Sure enough bandit made their presents known before long. It was these same bandits that had given Crocodile the tip about this Island. Now they entered the bar laughing loudly as the spoke words of relief at surviving an encounter with a "dangerous man". It wasn't until the went to seat themselves that the young man was noticed. "Oi! What'cha lookin' at shrimp?" One of them asked sounding and looking like he wasn't the brightest individual but looked strong none the less.

Fortunately, the former shichibukai was tired of getting wet on their unreliable information by this point and doubled back to the bar to "get more information" for the thugs. Unfortunately the bandits were already starting to pick a fight with the strangling youth that came in to get out of the rain. Crocodile seeming to arrive as two of the bandits were starting to push the boy around like the typical bullies they were. The warlord could careless about that however, his concern was getting back at these guys for putting him on a wild goose chase and wasting his time. Thus as the hooked man started to beat the crap out of the bandits fear would spread across the features of the remaining bandits as the tried to make a run for it.

[nero]

Back on his feet now, Ben looked up only to find a more horrific sight. Standing in front of him was this gargantuan of a man. He had to be about 8 feet though he could have been taller. In place of his left hand was this gold hook. His chest and shoulders were massive and hulking, as if carved from pure granite. The hooked man's skin was unusually pale, ghastly almost. Ben was unsure whether he should've been terrified or relieved. The rookie had hoped that the man had no business with him, but he was glad to have survived that encounter.

This coincidence seemed surreal, too surreal to be true. What were the chances that he just happened to be there at that exact time? He fought with such grace and agility, the likes of which he had never seen before. This guy definately had to be something special, a pirate possibly. However, he didn't look like your typical thug, there was an air of class about him. Given his choice of clothing, he probably had money. Dirty money. The hooked man was no doubt involved in some real illicit affairs, the extent of which were unknown.

There was apparent fear in the rookie's voice, the words barely trickling off his tongue.

"Th-th thanks for the save, but who are you?"

[Farris (Kuro)]

The large powerful man looked apathetically to the kid as he spoke the last of the scared bandit falling to the ground as if on quiet. "Hnn?" He said not sure what the rookie was talking about at first until he put two and two together. "I didn't, I had my own unfinished business with them." He said honestly enough. Their was no reason to lie to the boy, it didn't look like he could profit from doing so at any rate.

As for the rookie's question he took a moment, and a drag off his damp cigar that still somehow had managed to remain lit despite the bad weather before answering. The former Shichibukai thought a moment about weather he should give out his name or not. He was trying to lay low for a while after all but if the boy didn't mention him to anyone the bandit likely already had before he'd returned here from much earlier that day. "Crocodile." He finally introduced, taking a seat of his own beside the youth, more to enjoy his cigar and dry off than to chat with the company he found himself with. Though perhaps he could find a use for the boy, his mind was already devising new plans and the boy might make for a good hand in his plans. It depended on how things went with the boy's reaction.

[nero]

The rookie was sure nothing good would come of this fateful meeting. The man who had introduced himself as Crocodile towered over Ben even as he sat, his soaking wet cloak dripping onto the young man. Looking over at the man, Ben noticed his scarred visage. His name was ironic, given the long stitch that ran horizontally across his nose. Crocodile's gaze had a sharpness about them, one of inauspiciousness. Ben could tell simply by looking at him, that this was a man of profit. Men like him were toxic, looking to make a quick buck anyway possible. However dangerous he seemed, Ben felt relieved around Crocodile. He was skeptical this man would harm him, given that he had just been saved by him.

Locking his gaze with Crocodile's, Ben spoke the fear in his voice having faded. “Are you a pirate? You’re very unusual.” His comment while not all that intruding still ran the risk of getting him killed. Ben had to be careful with his choice of words, the less scathing the better he thought. Sometimes the words just spilled out of his mouth, his tongue unable to contain the idiotic drivel. In hindsight though, he was still just a kid.

[Farris (Kuro)]

The fear from the kid seemed to dissipate and the rookie seemed more interested in him. Crocodile suppressed a chuckle at the youth's ignorance. It seemed the young man hadn't heard of him which was rare even for a former Shichibukai. A smirk barely creased his features as the large hooked man replied with a "And if I am?" but the tone suggested a more, "Yes, what of it?" that was easy enough to catch. Then again, It wasn't like the former warlord was trying to hide the fact from the kid. If the boy gave him too much trouble he'd do away with him without a second thought.

Simply ignoring the comment about being "Unusual", Crocodile decided to start asking his own questions for a change. "And what about you? Are you a rookie Pirate? Or just some kid that's in the wrong place at the wrong time?" He asked, though it didn't seem like he really cared if Ben answered or not. If the kid was a rookie, he might be able to employ him for a few things, if not the boy wasn't really worth his time and he'd leave as soon as his fur coat was dry. For the moment though, the ex-warlord of the world government saw some potential in the kid he could make use of and it peeked his interest. He was sure not to look or act too interested though, not if he was going to potential form a good business deal with the brat. After all, in the end all kids were nothing but trouble...

[nero]

He saw it, it was there, hardly there, but there nonetheless. The intrigue shown faintly on the hooked man's lips, hidden by a forced smirk. Sighing a sigh of relief, Ben dropped his guard, he was finally safe. Sure enough the man wouldn't kill him, given he didn't say or do anything otherworldly stupid to upset Crocodile. Reclining in his chair, Ben took a modest sip of his root beer. The rookie did his very best to constantly shift his gaze, lest he look too interested in the larger than life Crocodile. This was a business affair now, and looking too eager could cost him.

After a minimal pause, he spoke, "Yeah, I'm a pirate." There was an air of lightness about him. The rookie was careful to not reveal much with his words, he'd rather his body language do most of the talking for him. "You seem strong, given the way you handled those thugs. Have you been to the New World by any chance?" Ben mused quietly to himself, he was sure he hadn't said anything to offend Crocodile.

Slouching now, Ben took a quick glance at the bulbous hook in place of the man's left hand. Judging by his missing hand, Ben knew the man had to have previously been in a few life or death situations. If he garnered anything from his man, he could at least get some valuable experience.

[Farris (Kuro)]

Sure enough the kid was a rookie, probably just fresh out of his home town too. East Blue was know for being the weakest of the blues and thus also the perfect place to lay low for someone of his stature. He noted the kid's own interest as well as he inquired about his experience. "I've been around." He simply replied neither confirming nor deny having been to the New World. He at least hinted to the youth that he had a lot of experience with the statement.

Crocodile took a long drag of his cigar and exhaled the smoke calmly before speaking again. "I actually have some business in this area. You can join me if your interested. The pay is... Decent." He stated suggesting that the money was far less that what he himself was use to but would be quiet a sum for a rookie.

The job itself was not on this island though, this had just been a stop off point for the former shichibukai and though he was not one to take on a pupil, the kid was interesting enough to take on for a bit of work. It almost made stopping at Woonan Island worth it. His coat was nearly dry now and all that was left was to see if the kid would take him up on his offer or sit around the bar.

[nero]

Having left the question neither fully answered nor unanswered, left Ben bewildered. While his answer was satisfactory, it didn't serve to divulge any particular information from the man. It was no secret by this point, Crocodile was definately involved in some rather shady business practices. "I actually have some business in this area. You can join me if your interested. The pay is... Decent." By use of the phrase "some business" his dealings were no doubt illicit in nature. If the rookie was to include himself in any future dealings with the man, his identity would have to be out in the open.

"What good could come from being left in the dark?" thought the rookie. Crocodile smelled of skepticism and his demons would have to be surfaced soon enough. For him to give way however, Ben would have to give out his identity as well. It was only fair after all. "My name's Benjamin Flynn, I come from East Blue in case you were wondering. Goa Kingdom to be exact. Now that I've told you who I am, I'd like to know more about you." His tone was rather pedantic, his statement, straight to the point. The rookie had a theory, he'd like to test. It was risky, to the point of suicide but he just had to try it. He threw a quick jab aimed at the man's chest as he attempted to sweep the man with his leg.

[Farris (Kuro)]

The boy replied with an introduction, which was fair enough he supposed. As he suspect, the boy wasn't too far away from home. Goa was pretty deep in East blue if his memory served, but the travel from there to west blue wasn't that bad even for a rookie. The youth wanted to know a bit more about him which he didn't like so much. The former shichibukai saw a certain benefit in keeping certain detail's to himself, but he might share enough with Ben to slate his curiosity for the time being.

As the young man made the foolish attempt to attack him to test his suspicions, the former warlord reacted instinctively to the attack, his body being dry enough to turn to sand, Ben's fist passed through Crocodile's chest and the boy's leg passed through the older man's legs as if connecting with the air and nothing more. Then lightning fast reflexes that showed that this man hadn't lost an ounce of his fighting edge, swiftly grabbed Ben by the neck. "A bit early to be acting foolish isn't it?" He asked his a dull but slightly annoyed tone to his voice as he addressed the youth, ready to crush his throat at the slightest notice.

[nero]

Gasping for air, Ben’s throat was suddenly entwined by Crocodile’s massive fists. This truly was a pathetic way to die, helpless as he squirmed violently. The rookie wasn’t a day older than seventeen, and yet he would die young, a worthless death. He had been a smartass his entire life and it got him nowhere, judging by his imminent execution. If only he survived his would he count himself blessed by some higher authority. Seconds later Ben’s eyes welled with swollen tears, his remorse sprawled along the length of his face. With misty eyes did the rookie look up, and there it was. He had embraced it now, however young and insecure he was. Looking into Crocodile’s eyes, he shot him a tired look of acceptance.

Death would be swift, merciful even. No one would miss him, not even just a little, it really was a pity. Ben lamented that he had not done anything extraordinary in life, a crying shame really. Gazing into the man’s pupils, Ben saw then what he truly wanted, power. His weakness was all out in the open now, though it was no surprise. Embarrassed wasn’t even nearly the word for what Ben felt. Utter despair was more like it really. His limbs going limp now he felt death’s cold embrace linger around him. The air around him was morose, sorrowful. As his eyes fell shut, silence enveloped the room.

With his last conscious breath he spoke, barely managing to sputter out the words. His speech was slurred under the force of the man, his shriveling larynx unable to make much sound. “Pl-pl-lease. I-I ca- ca can’t die he-here.” with that, Ben fell silent, his body becoming dead weight as he fell unconscious. Now only fate and some well deserved mercy could save the poor thing now.

[Farris (Kuro)]

The former Warlord regarded the limp form in his hand. He had crushed may like this one, young rookies with dream and ambitions. Many of them with the same last words, but Crocodile had no intention of killing this one. Perhaps it was some error in judgment or some nostalgia form when he was a rookie facing none other than Whitebeard himself.

In ether case, Crocodile tossed the limp boy into the air and caught his waist in his hand before tucking him under his arm. Satisfied he carried the youth out of the pub and to his ship off the coast of the Island. Once on board, he placed the rookie in a hammock and started to set off into the sea. Haven taken the kid's actions as an accepting his business terms, at least for the time being.

He was done with Woonan Island, it was time to set out on and take care of business. The former Shichibukai just hoped Ben woke up in time to be useful to him. Likely he was going to need to train the kid a bit too, and for a moment, the stoic man regarded the kid as already being more trouble than he was worth, but shrugged it off all the same. It wasn't like he didn't have some free time to kill at the moment, and who knew? Maybe the kid would surprise him?

[nero]

Waking up in what otherwise unknown territory, Ben felt a sharp spine of pain course through his tender neck. There were still marks remaining from his previous encounter with Crocodile. As he touched his hand to his neck, Ben opened his eyes for the first time since blacking out the night before. This was a good sign indeed; he hadn’t died in the hooked man’s clutches. His surroundings were so unfamiliar it was scary, having suddenly realized he’d been shanghaied. Having fully awoke from his less than restful slumber, Ben shook himself free from the cotton hammock he had be lying on. “Man…that was one rough night. I’m just glad he didn’t kill me.” the graciousness spilling from his soft, wet lips. As he spoke, he spied the length of the room. The room he stood inside was fairly spacious, well lit with food placed on a bedside table. The food looked delicious at that, Crocodile truly was a hospitable host. Licking his lips, Ben set his eyes on the morsels of tasty food in front of him, ravished after having no food for at least three days.

The rookie ate with profound haste, as if he had not a set of teeth. Swallowing his food in large chunks, Ben pounded his chest out of possible suffocation. He loved to eat quickly, ignorant of the warnings others had given him out of naivety. It was for the best that he ate slowly, with finesse, though he would have none of it. “You eat your way, I’ll eat mine.” he told them with his narrow minded ignorance. They’d swear the things he would hear would go in one ear and out the other, his stupidity was dumbfounding sometimes. Collecting his thoughts now, the rookie washed down his food vehemently leaving not a single drop of moisture in his cup. There was a melancholic air about this early morning, unlike any other he had previously experienced. It was as if time stood still before him, eons having seemingly passed before him. It was daybreak judging by the time on the clock, its arms old and musty. They looked rather weak, only hinging on the base of the clock due to the contractions that bound them.

Ben scratched his head out of confusion, now finding himself caught in stupor. Exiting the sleeping quarters he made his way to the staircase that would take the rookie above to the deck hopefully. This was a rather massive ship after all, he could very easily become lost in the uncertainty. Finding himself on the deck of the humongous galleon, Ben approached the anterior mast, ardent on approaching his savior. Spying Crocodile manning the helm, Ben calmly walked over. After all he’d have to force the issue sooner or later. Seeming oblivious to the events that had transpired previously, Ben spoke not out of fear this time, but humility. “Can you take me on as your apprentice? I’m sorry.”

[Farris (Kuro)]

Crocodile heard Ben come up but didn't turn to even look at the young man, instead he remained focused on sailing the ship. he had seen to that fact that the boy would be well fed when he work which took a few days longer than he had thought but it wasn't a big problem. It just meant less training time for the boy. That was when the boy in question spoke, “Can you take me on as your apprentice? I’m sorry.” Ben had asked in a humble tone. Crocodile was silent for a few moments as he considered the request. He had planned to hire the Rookie but that wasn't the same as an apprenticeship. On the other hand he'd need to train the boy anyway.

The former warlord steadied the helm before turning to regard the boy. "Apprentice? Why not? but only only until my business here is concluded." He told Ben with slight amusement. After all it might make things more interesting during his business in the blues, but beyond that he was no babysitter. For the time being This boy, 'Benjamin Flynn' what just a whim to amuse him and aid in the progression of his plans. "Well then, Ben-kun... Let's get to your training... Shall we?" The ex-Shichibukai stated taking a few steps towards the youth.

(Let's end this thread here and start a new one.)