*Orange Town - Two days later*
The *Wind's Promise* glided into Orange Town's harbor as the morning mist began to lift, revealing a settlement that had seen better days. Many buildings bore scorch marks and hastily-repaired damage, while the docks showed signs of recent reconstruction.
"Looks like this place has had some trouble," Yuki observed, her enhanced navigational senses picking up traces of lingering tension in the air.
"Perfect," Vex replied grimly. "Trouble usually means opportunity for pirates like us."
*[LOCATION SCAN COMPLETE]*
*[ORANGE TOWN STATUS: RECENTLY ATTACKED BY PIRATE CREW]*
*[MARINE PRESENCE: MINIMAL]*
*[DEVIL FRUIT USERS DETECTED: 2 INDIVIDUALS]*
*[PRIORITY TARGET: DR. AKIRA MEI - CHIYU CHIYU NO MI]*
The system's guidance led them through winding streets toward the town's medical district. Along the way, they passed nervous citizens who gave Vex curious but wary glances—his unusual appearance marking him as either exotic or dangerous.
"There," Yuki pointed toward a modest clinic with a hand-painted sign reading "Mei Medical Center." "That matches the system's location data."
Through the clinic's windows, they could see a woman in her mid-twenties working frantically over a patient. Her long black hair was tied back in a practical bun, and her white coat bore several bloodstains from recent surgeries.
*[TARGET CONFIRMED: DR. AKIRA MEI]*
*[STRESS LEVELS: CRITICAL]*
*[BOND COMPATIBILITY: 67%]*
*[WARNING: SUBJECT CURRENTLY HOSTILE TO PIRATES]*
"Sixty-seven percent," Vex murmured. "Lower than yours, but still workable."
"The system mentioned she's hostile to pirates," Yuki noted, reading over his shoulder through their shared bond. "Given the recent attack damage, I can see why."
They approached the clinic's entrance, but before they could knock, the door burst open. Dr. Mei stormed out, her face flushed with anger and exhaustion.
"If you're here about payment for protection, you can go to hell!" she snapped, not even looking at them properly. "I don't care what crew you're with—I'm not paying tribute to anyone!"
"Actually," Vex said calmly, "we're here to offer help, not ask for money."
Dr. Mei stopped mid-stride, finally taking in their appearance. Her eyes widened when she saw Vex—clearly, she'd never encountered a male pirate before.
"You're..." she started, then shook her head. "No, it doesn't matter what you are. If you're pirates, you're part of the problem."
*[EMOTIONAL STATE: GRIEF, ANGER, EXHAUSTION]*
*[RECOMMENDATION: DEMONSTRATE VALUE BEFORE RECRUITMENT ATTEMPT]*
"What happened here?" Yuki asked gently.
"The Crimson Claw Pirates," Dr. Mei said bitterly. "Captain 'Red Fang' Raven decided Orange Town wasn't paying enough tribute. She and her crew burned half the town and injured dozens of people. I've been operating non-stop for three days trying to save everyone."
Vex studied the doctor more carefully. Despite her exhaustion, she moved with precise efficiency, and he could sense something unusual about her—a warmth that seemed to radiate from her hands.
"You're a Devil Fruit user," he said. It wasn't a question.
Dr. Mei's hand moved instinctively to the scalpel at her belt. "How did you—never mind. Yes, I ate the Chiyu Chiyu no Mi. The Heal-Heal Fruit. It lets me accelerate natural healing processes."
"That's an incredible ability," Vex said sincerely. "You could save a lot of lives with that power."
"I try to," she replied coldly. "Which is why I don't associate with pirates who destroy lives."
*[BOND COMPATIBILITY DROPPING: 67% → 58%]*
*[WARNING: CURRENT APPROACH INEFFECTIVE]*
*[RECOMMENDATION: PROVE INTENTIONS THROUGH ACTIONS]*
"What if we could help you save more lives?" Vex asked. "What if we could make sure the Crimson Claw Pirates never hurt anyone again?"
Dr. Mei laughed bitterly. "Two people against an entire pirate crew? That's suicide, not heroism."
"We're not ordinary pirates," Yuki interjected. "And our captain has abilities you've probably never seen before."
Before Dr. Mei could respond, screams erupted from the harbor. A large ship with crimson sails was entering the port, and even from this distance, they could see armed figures on her deck.
"They're back," Dr. Mei whispered, her face going pale. "Captain Raven said she'd return if we didn't have the full tribute ready."
*[OPPORTUNITY DETECTED]*
*[CRIMSON CLAW PIRATES: 47 CREW MEMBERS]*
*[CAPTAIN 'RED FANG' RAVEN: INUS INUS NO MI, MODEL: WOLF]*
*[THREAT LEVEL: MODERATE]*
Vex grinned, feeling Rosa's battle-hungry spirit stir in his mind. "Perfect timing. Yuki, get the doctor somewhere safe. I'll handle this."
"Handle an entire pirate crew by yourself?" Dr. Mei stared at him incredulously. "You'll get yourself killed!"
"Maybe," Vex admitted, his body beginning to separate at the joints as he prepared for battle. "But I've got a few advantages they don't know about."
His torso detached from his legs while his arms floated free, causing Dr. Mei to stumble backward in shock.
"Bara Bara no Mi," he explained casually. "I'm practically immune to conventional weapons. Plus, I've got something to prove."
The first wave of Crimson Claw pirates had reached the town square, their weapons gleaming as they prepared to collect tribute through violence. At their head walked Captain Raven herself—a tall woman with wild red hair and canine features enhanced by her Devil Fruit transformation.
"People of Orange Town!" Raven's amplified voice carried across the square. "You had three days to gather my tribute! I hope for your sake that—"
Her words cut off as Vex's detached head floated into view, grinning at her with casual confidence.
"Sorry to interrupt," he said cheerfully. "But I think you've made enough trouble here."
The square fell silent as pirates and townspeople alike stared at the impossible sight of a floating head addressing their tormentor.
"What the hell are you?" Raven snarled, her wolf-enhanced senses detecting something unusual about this stranger.
"I'm Dracul D. Vex," he replied, his body parts beginning to reassemble in mid-air. "And I'm about to become your worst nightmare."