Paradise, Horseshoe Island,
A bell resounded as the sun started its daily rise, the residents of the port city known as Blackwater began their day. Some made their ways to the busy docks, others made their way to the market square to set up shop for the day.
Many horse drawn carriages could be seen maneuvering around the city, carrying any resident so long as they're willing to pay for the services. The stone paved streets shined from their nightly clean. The gas powered street lights were shut off little by little as the sun provided light in their place.
Life in the city of Blackwater was thriving, being an island situated near the entrance to the Grandline put them in a unique position as a "gateway" town. Merchants passed in droves, many offloading and selling their wares while also resupplying their provisions and purchasing new product to take to the next island.
The residents were always happy as they had all they could want, their bellies were full and their purses filled with coin. What else could you ask for?
But such happiness has a way of attracting the type of people no one likes to see... pirates.
"Hahaha, my name is Vorn, captain of the Vulture pirates. Now me and my men haven't had a chance to eat today so we're starving so why don't you serve me some food barman. While you're at it, give me some sake and that woman over there."
The pirate captain known as Vorn pointed to the bartender's wife, who was serving food to other customers in the bar.
"Well, aren't you just a pretty little thing, why don't you come over here so I can show you what a good time really is! Haha!!!" The pirate laughed as his men joined him inside the bar. Around 30 men entered the establishment with him.
"Food and sake I can serve you, provided you have the coin, but as for the woman. That's my wife, but even if she wasn't it wouldn't have made a difference." The barkeep explained calmly as he was wiping down a glass cup.
"Huh, what did you say you bastard!!! Think you're brave do ya, well how about I put that to the test!" A pirate said as he drew his cutlass intending to cut the man's hand for not obeying his captain.
Before the pirate could even finish fully drawing his sword, the barkeep swung his fist landing squarely on the pirate's face knocking him out cold.
*shing* *shing*
The sound of multiple blades being drawn resounded throughout the bar.
"You sure do got some ballz for a barkeeper, all I wanted was some food, sake and a woman to pass the time but now... now I'm gonna wreck this bar and then take my time enjoying that woman of yours before I wreck havoc in this city."
Vorn spoke slowly as he licked the edge of his blade, "Get them men, but leave the barkeep to me, he's mine to deal with!"
Not one of Vorn's men responded to his command, confused, Vorn looked behind himself and instantly broke out into a cold sweat. Behind him were his men, knocked unconscious with many of them possessing a broken arm or leg. Around them were the customers who were previously seated enjoying their first meal of the day.
"Did you really think you could waltz in here and boss us around like if we were some town from blue seas. This is the Grandline, we deal with pirates like you for breakfast. Literally, it's not even 10 yet."
The barkeep said as he came out from behind the bar and neared Captain Vorn who kept stepping back until he backed into one of the customers who were blocking the exit.
"I can deal with this guy if you'd like Thomas." One of the customers offered towards the barkeep who we now know goes by the name Thomas.
"Thanks Gerald, but I got this. What type of man would I be if I let another man deal with the pirate who insulted my wife." Thomas said calmly as he grabbed Vorn by the throat and took him outside the bar.
"No sense blooding my floors, the last time that happened it took ages to get rid of the stains. Blood sure is hard to scrub out of dark ebony wood. Now, let's deal with you shall we."
Thomas said he lifted up Vorn to look him in the eye. Standing at 6'6 (198.12cm) he had to lift Vorn up pretty high since the man was pretty short.
"Wait, I'm sorry, please let me go and I promise I won't ever come back again, you won't ever see me again. Please... let me go." Vorn begged and wailed as he pleaded for Thomas to spare him.
"Oh, don't worry, I'm not gonna kill ya. I'm not some monster but I am gonna teach you a lesson your folks outta have taught you but I'll teach you in their place. Nothing like a few broken bones to learn proper manners. Now Arthur, I feel you watching, son. So make sure you remember this."
"When a feller comes in to your place and ask you for some food or water cause he hasn't had a single crumb or drop of water in weeks. We help em, cause that's what good folks like us do. But kindness doesn't mean we let people walk all over us, oh no sir, it sure don't mean that."
"When folk like this here feller and his friends try to hurt you or those close to you. You make sure you give em a lesson they'll never, ever dare to forget."
Thomas proceeded to break one of Vorn's arms completely beyond any chance of recovery.
"AHHHHH!!!" Vorn screamed out as he felt a pain he has never felt before in his life. Thomas then knocked the man unconscious and threw him into the pile with his friends.
"Callisto my dear wife, would you mind calling the marines so they can come pick these loiterers off my lawn." Thomas asked softly towards his wife with a smile on his face.
"Okay honey. Now Arthur, come here child. Your father is a strong man isn't he my little sweet angel." Callisto spoke, a woman in her late thirties whose mature beauty was easily visible. She has a mesmerizing voice, flawless skin and long black hair. Her eyes exuded a deep kindness and her gentle touch combed through her son's hair.
"Mommm, stop, you're messing up my hair!" Arthur whined, a small child of 4 years with unkempt light brown hair and piercing blue-green eyes.
"Thahaha, Now Arthur, didn't you tell me you like it when your mom ruffles your hair." Explained Thomas as he approached his wife and son, a man who was in his early forties but looked a little older then he actually was because of his thick square beard and decently long brown hair. The same blue-green eyes looked Arthur in the eye.
"Fatherrrr! You said you wouldn't tell!" Arthur complained about his father's betrayal.
"Well aren't you just the cutest, if you like me ruffling your hair you don't have to be shy about it Arthur." Callisto smiled as she ruffled Arthur's hair a little more before giving her husband a hug and heading inside to call the marines.
"Thaha, don't be mad Arthur, it was a small little joke. You need to learn how to smile or else none of the ladies are ever gonna want to grace you with their love thaha. Now come on, let's head inside. We have customers to serve so how about as a sorry, if you help out in the bar today I'll take us all to the theatre today, I heard Gerald mention that one of the merchants brought in a few mythical animals." Thomas laughed as he talked.
"Really!! Really father!!! Okay, it's a promise so you can't take it back! Yayyy, I'll go tell Mother and then come back down to help you!" Arthur screamed in excitement as he ran off to let his mother know about the new plans.
"Art- sigh, oh well. At least he's excited. I'll tell him how much I love him and how proud I am of him once we come back from the theatre." Thomas sighed as he walked into the bar and started to tend to his customers.
Chapter 1: A Lesson in Manners