[center][u][b]Locke Wind[/b][/u][/center]

They say badasses don't look directly at explosions, they're often depicted walking away from the scene of one with unflinching determination. A pyromaniac would bask in the glow of a burning town however long it lasted. In Locke's case, the fishing village's carnage was a beautiful sight to behold. To the distance, with his good eye, the pirate captain noticed something of intrigue; a few of his crewbies had been slacking off, and were left behind. He'd chuckle at first, assuming he'd get to watch them all take a swim back, but before he could cough another laugh, he'd witness the gruesome slaughtering of them all. A feigned smile curved the captain's lips at this sight, and his laugh turned to a slightly darker, and almost maniacal note. To be fair, he didn't remember any of their names, and rations were running low for the crew, they wouldn't be missed. Regardless, some form of retaliation was exactly what Locke wanted.

"[color=0054a6]Aii, hoist tha'...[/color]" Locke turned back, in his drunken haze he'd have forgotten that his crew had already departed, and he was sailing upon his treasure chest. A growl escaped his mouth, before he'd grasp the side handle of his chest and take matters back in to his own hands. The soles of his boots would find footing atop the ocean's surface, and he'd speedily tread it back to the ship, before a strong jump landed him beside the coxswain. "[color=f26522]Ah, cap'n, I was just-[/color]" The mate spoke up, but the sudden gun pointed at his chin shut him up quaintly. "[color=0054a6]Yap yap yap, shaddap! Ye' blimey useless shit! Ya' forgot a few crew ashore, n'now guess what... we've got company. Go ready tha' cannon hull fer' battle, else I'll have yer head swingin' across tha mast[/color]!" Locke spoke and spat at the same time, baring his gnarly teeth, whilst his gun pointed straight for the kill. His lackeys quickly got back to work, and control over his vessel returned to him. The battle was not yet over, for Locke enjoyed leaving parting gifts for his enemies.

Deft steering halted the Cruel Knave at first, before pivoting it atop the ocean blue. No longer would its rear face the shore, but instead the broadside of the ship. Not a minute would pass, before the firing squad got to work. A cherry for the top of the cake, the good old 'rub it in' tactic. Perhaps ignorant, however not incapable was the pirate crew in combat. Whatever survived the initial lightning raid wouldn't endure the cannon barrage to come. Pirate tactics were more cunning and ruthless than they were truly tactical, and only ten flaming cannonballs were all it'd take to express that fact. The very second those iron balls struck the dirt, the entire village lit aflame. How? The landscape had been drenched in alcohol, it was bound to spread from the burning houses eventually. This trick was meant to lure in any so called 'heroes,' the quickest to respond, and light them up in a blaze of glory. Shame all of this was wasted on a single metal creature. Maybe some stragglers would feel the fire, but either way, in the end the ship would flee the scene of a truly vulgar event. If the dune hunter was not either pummeled by shrapnel, or melted in the fiery wake of the pirates, it'd have a chance to complete its mission.

Cries for mercy could be heard echoing from the lower decks, as the pirates had their way with their captives. A few broads brought cheer back to any miscreants face, and a few young boys would make excellent row fodder. As much infamy as he'd earn, Locke knew this raid was an absolute success, and with that came insight. People were after him, as always, and now he needed a battle plan. Like hell he'd just find some hole to hide in till things blew over, and signing any papers with his newly designated enemies was unwise. He needed to know more about these 'Sand Ninja,' and what better a way, than through the mouths of their own captured? The kunoichi held captive would much rather talk with Locke, than deal with the needs of his simple-minded lackeys, that's for sure. Locke nodded over his quartermaster once more, the only man he still trusted, and with a few simple gestures with his chin and pistol, the man knew exactly where to sail. Old captain Locke would visit his new swabbies now.

The lower deck was an absolute mess. Several bodies were piled up already, a few shinobi, and a few pirates both from the fight prior. Among them, a few seemed dead, but were simply pissed drunk. Two female ninja, each with a headband hailing the sand nation's symbol, both looked over to the captain as he entered. One was gagged and bound up tight with electric rope, disabling her nervous system, and thus rendering her unable to perform jutsu. The other could be seen in the shadow of the room, where one pirate was attempting to fondle her in the petty state she found herself in. Unlike his crew, Locke cared not for desires of the flesh, and only pitied his crew for being so simple and barbaric. "[color=0054a6]Ho thar, this pretty little lass here? Aye... she's mine, ya hear?[/color]" His raspy voice chilled the crew stiff, and immediately the pirates dispersed from their other captive, who gave the captain a vile leer, like a captive wolf might. Locke laughed at her discipline, and dragged her by her long hair back in to his cabin - she made not a single peep from the pain she was in. Much of what could be heard from the cabin was nothing but the loud and obnoxious threatening of Locke Wind, whilst the afflicted shinobi's voice went completely unheard. Moments passed, and Locke's voice repeated itself many times, until the sound of gunfire finally summoned voice out of the shinobi girl, screams, and nothing coherent after that. The door would creak open, and Locke dragged the ninja back out of his cabin. Blood pooled from her shin, where a bullethole was visible. "[color=0054a6]Patch tha' wench up, ya hear?! If she dies, well so do ye! She ain't gettin' anywhere, any time soon. Have yer grubby way with her, maybe it'll loosen up that knotted tongue o' hers.[/color]" Locke growled these words, before tossing the girl to the feet of his crew. Her loyalty would keep any secret information safe, but at what cost? Sure, she might have been prepared for ninja interrogation tactics, but a pirate's were much more... unorthodox.

Whilst returning to the ship's wheel, Locke made sure to scout his surroundings with such care; his paranoia saw everything aloof. The monster from earlier might pay them a visit, after all. After seeing it, Locke made his rounds with utmost care. His ship could only travel so far, so if the creature could chase them out here, so be it. Positioning himself beside the ninja gave him a possible hostage, yet the creature wasn't as punctual as expected. Locke's eyes glanced from side to side, sizing the waters, and scouting for a trace of malice in the air. Perhaps the creature couldn't swim, or it was melted as planned, either way left room to worry. An aura of unease stirred the ship, as they traveled along the shoreline. At any moment, a raiding party could attack, or they might find new prey, the war was never-ending.