While the Captain and The Gambler played their game of Truth and Deception. They were not the only ones in the midst of a game to play.
In front of Noir and Kále, was a large man. He wore a simple white tank top with black suspenders attached to similarly colored pants. He lacked shoes or socks, but wore a bow tie around his neck.
The mans complexion was light, light freckles on his shoulders from exposure to the sun. His face was wide with a sharp jaw with a cleft chin
He had to be a giant. His height, his shoulders. It was fact that he was.
He didn't act, all he did was stay seated, legs crossed, with a deck of cards in his hands. Despite the sheer difference in size between his large hands and the normal sized deck, the cards were expertly shuffled and played with. A game of solitaire being played in front of him
"They say that a deck of cards has nearly infinite combinations. It was found many years ago that the exact combinations of a standard 52 deck of cards is something called 52 Factorial."
"Factorials…So large and so complex that the only way to denote it without completely listing the number is an Exclamation point. Can you believe that?"
Noir looked at the Swordsman. Who looked to him "Can we kill this guy?" The Swordsman asked.
"Eight Followed by Sixty-Seven numbers. That's how big the number of 52 factorial is. The Mathematician that discovered this did a few other calculations and study as well to see if anything else could be compared. And not even the grains of sand on the Planet come close."
"Nor do the seconds of utter existence. Even a Billion years in seconds pales in comparison to the Size of 52 factorial. And to think there are Numbers even larger than that. Even in idea Infinity is Infinite times bigger than a measly 52 Factorial. It's like comparing an grain of Rice to the size of the planet we walk on."
"Will you shut up!" The two yelled at the man at the same time, before their frustrations were turned to each other, pressing each others forehead against one another like rams.
"The Possibility of getting the Same combination…A similar insane number. 1 followed by 68 zeros. Or something like that. 1 one in a trillion trillion trillion chance."
"Similar odds in you two getting along it seems."
That caught their attention "The Hell did you say Baldy?" Noir hissed, hands in his pockets as he took two steps forward
"Who gives a shit what the chances of some cards are!" Kále gave a scowl to the man
"Ugh…I am not 'Baldy'. You may call me Poch." He said, rubbing his large hand across his head and temples.
"So what!" The two said at the same time. "Quit saying the same shit as me!" The two yelled at each other, commencing their bickering again.
"The game is simple. You two will fight me and attempt to get a winning hand. The winning hand in this case being my defeat."
"But just like the Number of card combinations in a five hand draw is over two million. The Possibility of you defeating me is just as steep."
As the two fighters of the Red Sash Pirates argued and bickered through a shared and mutual distaste for one another continued, Poch leapt into action while they were distracted! Launching from the ground he cratered the spot he sat at and soared to the two!
The twos eyes shifted in mere fractions of a second to Poch, but they were too late!
Slam! A double punch to each of the men's side! Sharp pains sent through each of them as they could feel their ribs begin to bruise! Only to then be sent flying backwards and slamming into the pale yellow barrier!
"Ack!" The two sputtered pain from each of their lips as they fell to their hands. Scammering to their feet and readying themselves!
Kále unsheathed Kikumori and Sujihiki, while Noir shook his foot to get ready
The two spoke at the Same time "Just Stay out of my way! I'll handle this!"
At once, they both dashed forward! Foot launched into a flying kick! Swords crossed! The two yelled as they attempted to simultaneously Impact the giants sternum!
Only for the two to crash together like two bulls slamming together, attempting to enter the same way!
When the two collided together, the large hand of the Giant slammed into the two! Sending them crashing harshly into the ground!
"You two would have a better chance of drawing a victory one on one. But from the looks of it neither of you would ever let that happen." Poch sneered
"You waste your hands. Moment by Moment."
The two ignored what the Giant Said as he stood above them. The only thing the two cared about was each other getting in the others way
"What did I say! I told you not to get in my way!" Kále hissed
"Your way? You got in my way! Those puny swords couldn't damage a man like that! But I guess that urchin brain of yours gets in the way of thinking huh!" Noir fired back
"Why you little…" Kále clenched his teeth!
Just before the two could get into their own scuffle, they noticed the hand that came from above! And leapt backwards and away from each other! The hand shattering ground!
But before the Two could land on their feet! Poch swatted the debris he generated from the crash with both hands! Sending a rain of rock pelting into each of them as they tumbled harshly into the ground!
"Damn what the hell was that!" Kále dug his blade into the ground, slowing himself down while Noir ground his feet against the earth to do the same.
"What? Just like poker, we're adding a new part to this game. Ever heard of Glima?"
Poch was playing a game. All by himself. A Game of Escalation. Adding and taking and testing his 'Hand' against the Two Red Sashes.
Perhaps the game will evolve over time…