SSR Bradley (A Toast To The King Of The Seas) “Words Are Bullets, Your Mouth Its Trigger”

[odorekijin]

★ chapter one
★ chapter two
★ chapter three
★ episode
★ home line

chapter one

[Pirates of Death’ ship—Upper Deck]

Fake-brunette Pirate: Thanks for saving me back there!

Buzz-cut Pirate: Dun’ sweat it! You're always jumpin’ head first into the fight ‘n pushing the front, I oughta give it t’ you pal!

Both: To our victory! Cheers!

After coming out on top of a battle earlier that day, the Pirates of Death had decided to throw a small banquet to celebrate the occasion.

Gathered in a circle a little further away from us, patting each other on the back with drinks in hand, the crew toasted to their victory.

Akira: Ahaha, their happiness is contagious; they really know how to liven things up. I don’t really understand all of their banter, but at least they’re having fun…?

Bradley: Take it as a li’l thing we do around here to get the party goin’. Booze only tastes better to comrades who share their feats ‘n raise their glass to the others’ victories, catch my drift?

Akira: Well, they certainly look spirited. …Woah, look! They’re dancing shoulder to shoulder now!

Huh? Speaking of, where’s Nero? He’s been gone for a while now, I wonder what’s holding him up…

Bradley: Nero? Knowin’ my crew, he’s gotta be…

Redhead Pirate: Aight! Nero, your turn!

Nero: Wh– me...?

Akira: (Oh man, the crew’s surrounding him...!)

Seized by awkwardness, Nero’s gaze wandered for a moment before landing on us.

Without sparing a second, he slipped away from the merry group with a nod, and headed our way.

Akira: Welcome back, Nero. I didn’t realise you were hanging out with them.

Nero: Yeah, they called me over to deal with somethin’. Turns out they all just wanted to have a toast in my honour.

Bradley: Well yeah, this party’s also to welcome Akira ‘n you to our pack: they ain’t gonna miss their chance to snatch away the new recruit fer a few drinks.

…So? Why’dja ditch ‘em when they've got the party goin' just for you?

Nero: Uhh… Your mug looked kinda empty over there, Cap. Just wanted t’ pour you another one is all.

Bradley: Hm, well ain’tcha vigilant, eagle-eye.

(Nero pours a drink for Bradley)

Bradley: …Answer me straight now: you just wanted to get away from the crew, ain’t that it?

Nero: Uh…

Akira: Huh…?

Bradley: Welp ya did get dragged into their shenanigans without explanation, so I’ll letcha off the hook for usin’ me as yer excuse. Count this as a special permission from yours truly—but just this once.

So drill that into yer noggin: we pirates live alone on this vast ocean, floatin’ on a tiny ship as a pack. We got no allies to help us out ‘n nowhere to run from our enemies.

That’s why we put the flags out ‘n drink up t’ pump up the troops—to face foes ‘n treason, ‘n stand shoulder to shoulder with our comrades.

Nero: …

Bradley: If yer gonna live with us as a fellow pirate, better get used to our pace.

Nero: …Got it. I'm sorry, Captain.

Bradley's words once again hammered down the harshness of the world that pirates live in.

Akira: (So that wasn't any ordinary party game… they weren't just fooling around…)

They had to raise their own morale and build camaraderie, in order to strengthen their solidarity and survive in this relentless world.

Bradley: Now that I’ve got my answer… I know whatcha gotta do.

First, yer gonna practise. Try praisin’ me to start.

Nero: You, Cap!?

Bradley: Yeah, me. …What’s up? Gonna turn tail ‘n run without givin’ it a shot?

Nero: That’s not what I meant… All right, understood. It’s just a few words, it’s fine.

So, uh, where do I start…

↑ back to top ↑

chapter two

[Pirates of Death’ ship—Upper Deck]

Bradley: What now? Need to loosen yer tongue? Maybe a li’l booze can help throw away that shame of yers.

Here, drink up.

Nero: Ah…

Bradley grabbed the bottle and poured him a glass with gusto. His mug now filled to the brim, Nero’s hand timidly brought the liquid to his lips.

Bradley: I see how it is. Fine, I’ll give ya an example. Akira, c’me here, sit next to me.

Akira: Wha– me?

Um… All right, if you say so.

Quietly, I took a seat by his side. If Bradley’s attentive, piercing gaze could kill, I would’ve been done for the moment I sat down.

Bradley: Akira, yer a rookie that joined the crew just today. You’ve yet to accomplish anythin’ worthy of praise in yer Captain’s eyes.

...But ya can stand proud: today was also yer very first battle with us, ‘n ya didn’t run away with yer tail between legs.

Ya got the guts to become a brave pirate, I know it—it’s in yer blood. I can’t wait to see whatch’re gonna bring to our table.

When his hand reached my head to messily tousle my hair, an indescribable yet fulfilling sentiment welled up in my chest.

Akira: Wow, hearing that from you, it’s… I’ll do my best to earn more of your recognition, Captain! I’m so pumped!

Bradley: Heh, see?

Compliment someone too much ‘n it’ll sound fake as hell.

Set the facts straight, ‘n have hopes for ‘em… That’s all ya need to support a comrade without settin’ unbearable expectations on their shoulders.

Nero: …Understood, Captain.

Akira: (...Hm? Nero looks… kind of red…?)

Nero? Are you oka–... Hang on, why’s your mug empty?

You can’t have chugged it all down already, right? Right!?

He nods, cheeks slightly flushed. His gaze seemed mindlessly fixed on a blank space.

Akira: (Don’t tell me he took Bradley’s off-hand advice literally, and got drunk on purpose…)

Suddenly, he smacked the mug on the table and deeply exhaled. Then, Nero slowly looked up, settling a dazed gaze on Bradley.

Nero: …Captain, yer words are like a magic spell.

Whenever ya praise me, I feel like the most precious jewel among all treasures.

Akira: (Oooh…!)

Bradley: Hmm?

Bradley raised an inquisitive brow as words flowed from Nero’s lips.

The uncertainty following Nero’s first words surely took the both of us aback. I rested a hand on my chest, relieved.

Nero: Ya enjoy my food like it's the most delicious thing you’ve ever eaten, ‘n nothin’ beats that feelin’…

Akira: (That’s the spirit…! You can do it Nero, I’m behind you…!)

Nero: …But you always leave yer veggies on the side.

Bradley: Hah…?

Akira: (Ah…)

↑ back to top ↑

chapter three

[Pirates of Death’ ship—Upper Deck]

Bothered, Nero pointed an accusing finger at the dish—and he was right: plenty of vegetables were piled up on the plate in front of Bradley.

Nero: See? Ya didn’t eat the cabbage in yer soup, ‘n didn’t touch the pickles either.

Startin’ tomorrow, I wantcha to eat ‘em all properly. ‘S for yer health, y’know?

Bradley & Akira: …

Mouth agape, Bradley and I were rendered speechless. This didn’t seem to bother Nero, who, cheeks still brightly flushed, pointed out his captain’s misses.

Bradley: What was that last bit for, huh!?

Nero: Hm-hm, now I feel like I got it down. Captain, I’ll keep workin’ on my praises ‘n do my best.

Bradley: Hey, hol’up! Nero!

With a newly found confidence—and oblivious to Bradley’s orders—Nero rejoined the circle with his fellow crewmates.

Bradley: What the hell was that? The guy wasn’t listenin’ to a damn thing. He’s plastered as hell...

Akira: Ahaha… What can you do, he did his homework and “set hopes and facts straight” just like you taught him.

Obviously, you’re fine the way you are right now, but… What if you actually ate your vegetables? You’d be incontestable as a captain, don’t you think?

Bradley: Well, well, ain’tcha a chatty rascal tonight. Aight, now’s your turn on the praise roulette.

Akira: Oh, u-uh, I guess it is… As you wish, Captain…

Bradley: I’m all ears. Go ahead ‘n sing my praises, but be careful with the words yer gonna use.

Akira: Nghhh, now you’re making me nervous… All right, I’ll give it my best shot.

Feeling Bradley’s watchful gaze on me, I turned to face his direction, taking the chance to adjust my posture.

Akira: (Woah, I can really feel the pressure now that I’m not on the receiving end… I get why Nero had to rely on alcohol to help his nerves…)

…Hrm-hrm, I’ll begin.

Bradley… During the battle today, actually, I was… I was entranced by how you were using your cutlass and pistol. They were like an extension of your own limbs.

Especially the way you brandished the flag when victory was upon us: your back looked reliable, unwavering, so much so that I couldn’t help but shout with the others even though you just took me in, and–

Bradley: That’s enough.

Akira: Huh…? Mmph–!

(D-Did he just stick a pickle in my mouth...? Why though...!?)

Bradley: Akira, lemme give you another tip.

Your words are like bullets: dun’ shoot ‘em all at once, keep a few bullets in the chamber.

Gettin’ everything without a li’l struggle is boring as hell, so make me work for it: make me want to get those words outta you.

… Got it?

Akira: (Munch, munch) …gulp, I s-see. You learn something new everyday.

In other words, you shoved that pickle in my mouth to stop me from firing all of my bullets?

When I reasserted his explanations, Bradley simply gave me a satisfied smile.

Then, he crossed his long, toned legs, and slowly sipped at his drink.

Bradley: Once I get my hands on that legendary Cintamani stone, I’ll listen to the rest of yer thoughts.

Then, ‘n only then, you can fire ‘em at me. Can’t wait to see what kinda ammo you have up yer sleeve.

episode

“Familiarity With

The Pirates Of Death”

[Wizard’s Manor—Dining Room]

Akira: Sailing on a boat, hunting for treasure… That sure felt exhausting, but it was just as fun. What do you think of my dream, Bradley?

Bradley: Sumthin’ about pirates, eh? Not too shabby, sounds like these guys are kinda like us thieves.

‘Sides, that me-look-alike was the leader of these “Pirates of Death,” yeah?

Akira: Yes! The crew would call you “Cap’,” or “Captain”... That’s a title that really suited you!

Bradley: Even in yer dreams ya have me actin’ as the boss around. Ya sure yer not dyin’ to become the Great Bradley’s subordinate or sumthin’?

Akira: Huh, I guess that’s why you were the captain then. Maybe that was my subconscious speaking...?

Anyway, the fact is that the time I spent as your subordinate was delightful. I felt comfortable and welcome.

It was also pretty reassuring to have Nero as my direct superior…

Bradley: Right... I mean, the guy’s prudent ‘n pays attention to small details.

Havin’ someone like him around would put the bunch under his command at ease, while the leader can focus on leadership, knowin’ that guy would have his back.

Akira: Exactly… Looks like you have the Pirates of Death all figured out, Bradley.

Bradley: …I guess, it’s all made-up anyway. That kinda system ’d never work here.

I mean, all those gloomy li’l Eastern wizards piss their pants ‘n skedaddle from yours truly, a Northern wizard—

Nero: Brad, you bastard! Where the hell are you!? I know ya dipped in the sauce again, getch’er ass over here!

Bradley & Akira: !

Akira: …Uhhh, sooo...

What was that about the Eastern wizards running away from you…?

Bradley: What’s that look for, huh!? Yer doubtin’ me? I’ll scare ‘im shitless after that, just you wait!

homeline

“Huntin’ fer treasure, stealin’ riches, ‘n sailing the world, huh… Yeah, that “pirate” thing sounds right up my alley. ‘Specially if I’ve got a disciple worth takin’ under my wing… But that was all just a dream anyway, huh.

Dreams or not, no guy ‘s ever gonna be as mind-blowin’ as the Bradley speakin’ to you right here, right now.”

↑ back to top ↑