"I figured you'd show up here." Low said as he flicked the cigarette from his fingers a distance away, a surprising way in fact by the sheer Casual Superhuman strength he possessed
"Yeah? What that supposed to mean?" Leroy said, his hands twitching and ready to tighten at any moment. His mind was incredibly suspicious of a pirate with such an immense bounty. He'd read the papers, his antics in passing. The Name that he possessed.
"The papers? You attacked the damn Citadel of Justice. Biggest judiciary island and one of the most secure buildings on the face of the planet. And yet you went and busted that thing down. A performance of a lifetime i must say."
He stood up fully. He was almost equal height with Leroys 6'2. Standing at 6'4. His hand ran down his facial hair scruff as he turned to look at Leroy, tired eyes that held deep almost permanent bags of shadow under them. He didn't look just dead tired, but he looked as if his eyes could only ever be that way
"I've waited a long time to meet you, Red Sash." He held his black and blue unbrella that was very long and could be used almost like a cane, but was instead slung to rest on his shoulder like how one would rest a bat or weapon. Making Leroy's fist clench
"What? Looking to make a name for yourself by taking on the big bad Red Demon?" The Pirate Log Monthly had come to call him 'Red Devil'. 'Akai Akuma' was what the Pirate Log Monthly came to call him. There had been a growing belief that Leroy, was a Literal, unironic, non metaphorical Devil. Stories exaggerating his size, his abilities, and the like
It was partially to the Chagrin and Amusement of Leroy himself. He thought it was both hilarious and unfortunate.
"I'd recommend you save yourself the trouble. You'd have hard enough time scathing by alive it was just me. But seeing as how theres Eight other people behind me, with at least two off the top of my head that could keep you at the bare minimum pinned…"
He smirked with an oh so cocky grin. The very one that was on his poster. "But thats up to you, how you want this all to play out, Director." He said with a clear mock in his tone
'He's even better in person.' "Cool off will ya, I'm not looking to fight you. In fact I was wanting to meet you."
"Alone? I thought you had a crew. But there was that bit in last months Issue of the Log that said-" He was cut off "You can stop that thought, because all of my crew is currently spread across the Island trying to see if you'll pop up."
"But I had a hunch that knowing as much of a trouble maker as you've made yourself out to be. A place like this would be like the limelight waiting to illuminate the Main Performance"
'Is he trying to flatter me or get in my pants? I honestly can't tell.' Leroy thought in jest within his mind as a smile widened "Alright Alright." He waved behind him, causing the rest of the crew to be put at ease
"So why is it that you wanted to meet me?" The Captain put his hands on his hips as he asked. But Before Low Responded, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi in a cylindrical container (As to make the use of a Snail less strange to view) and spoke into it "Oi. Performers, Leads been found. Right where I expected. Make your ways back to me."
A jumbled group of yes's and confirmations flooded through the snail from behind the mesh of the Microphone looking container. Low then tucked it in his pocket up near his chest "Why? Simple as this, Red Sash. I'm a Fan."
"I've been watching your movements by the News since you made headway all the way back in Loguetown."
"Oh-" Leroy said without thinking. That was not the Response that he was expecting. Was that even possible? To meet a fan? Or to even have one? He'd certainly thought about it. There were those few people a long their journey that basically described themselves as such as much as they were allies
"Oka-y~?" He dragged the final syllable as thoughts went through his head. Along with the rest of the crew "A Fucking Fan?!" Calliope asked looking up to Eddie
"Well if theres one thing I've learned. Is that any one, and I mean anyone, can have their fanbases."
"Tch. I gotta say I'm not too surprised." Kirk then said, raising his brow as he scratched his head "Though if I'm being honest I figured the first one if it ever happened woulda been a chick."
Leroy breathed deeply and scratch and messed his near black, brown hair, scratching at his scalp with a screw of his eyes "Ehhhhhhh…."
"Okay!" He decided pulling his hands away with a firm confirmation "Sure. Thats awesome. But, Is that all?" He asked as Low came waltzing over with his feet in confident strides before stopping a few feet in front of him
"Lets make it quick tho yeah? We might have all the time in the world but those guys dont" He gestured to the building
"Well, since the openings are done. The summary of this performance is simple." His umbrella came to rest at his side as he stared Leroy in the Eyes with so many different thoughts and emotions rushing through his mind. Thinking of just how to phrase this, what to say, what not to
"I wish to form an Alliance with you. And in exchange for you allowing me to do so, along with us being guaranteed a cooperation between us…" He thought the next words carefully "And in Exchange. I will help you in anyway that I can. Though I cannot guarantee that I will be available for much longer here."
"After all I still have my own crew and goals for my own performance to attend to."
"Hmm." Leroy hummed as he thought about the words that the Director said before him. Thinking them over carefully. But the way he spoke, his mannerisms. The slight tinge of Nervousness not out of fear but almost out of a Reserved embarrassment…
He could read him like a playbill
"Sure. Welcome Aboard the Red Sash Armada." 'Sounds a bit better than just 'fleet'' he thought to himself "Yeah. In your dreams Red Sash." He gave a cocky small grin
"But Allyship works good enough." Leroy shrugged "Worth a short. Might end up making a fleet one day anyway. So if this turns out well, I'll have to reserve a spot for you." He raised his brow in a suggestion at the man
"But let's get moving on. The Rundown is this…" He said passing by Low. The rest of the crew silently absorbed the sight and announcement with amusement and reservation along with all in between.
"We're gonna cause a shit storm. I'll take the Lead. And you can give me back up while I'm in there. I'll handle the rest, Lead actor or something right?"
"Keeps me from having stress so whatever." Low responded
"That guys really wanting to rally with Leroy of all people?" Noir asked with the reverence in question "Then again, He got you on his crew. So its not exactly like this guys the worst possible out come." Kale jeered at Noir
"Oh fuck off Urchin. You're still the Illiterate one that was practically a mangy dog in the rain when he found you."
"I can write a better soliloquy than you can loverboy!" Kale shot back "How the hell do you even know that word!"
"Because I can actually write you moron!" He snapped back
The group, Leroy, and Low all went into the building. They didn't immediately enter the amphitheater. The noise from which was in front of them behind to large double ornate doors
The room around was a Lobby and gathering area to stand and chat with other spectators and bidders. Along with before the Auction the Slaves or 'Merchandise' would be shown off up close before the Bidding began
"Mind if I smoke?" Low asked, already pulling out a Cigarette and putting it in his mouth and lighting it "Smoking in here?" Leroy asked with a smile. Seeing it as a bit weird like he couldnt even wait to do it
"I always smoke in the theatre." He spoke as the Acrid vapor left his lips "Somehow, it enhances the performance"
Leroy put his hands up on the double doors. Nodding the crew behind him, along with those that were waiting outside. Then a nodding to Ned. "Lets open the curtains…" Leroy said as he pushed the door open with force, causing them to slam open!
The sound caused the crowd to stop and look back as they entered into the Theater that descended downwards into the ground giving those in the back an Elevated look
"Sold! The Piranha Boy goes to- What in the hell?!" The Auctioneer suddenly shouted as he was finishing the bid on a Slave, Leroy leaping into the air the moment he entered the room. Eyes looking onto stage only to see
Sujikiki. The Piranha Fishman Boy that was once Barnum's Swordsmen…
"Kid?"