Launcher returned to her seat in the stands, while her associates booed and jeered at Slick's victory. It seemed that while she could do no wrong and they held her on a pedestal regardless of circumstances, the same was not afforded to the man that beat her at her own game. The booing grew louder and louder, followed by a throwing of popcorn and peanuts. Just when it looked like a fight was about to break out...

[b]BOOM![/b]

The deafening roar of a cannon swept the hall, and a hole was torn through the ceiling. Everyone immediately turned their attention to the island's master, captain AR-36 "Bullet" Bill. For some strange reason his mouth seemed to be expelling smoke. [color=darkslategray]"That's enough! Now this attitude is completely unacceptable! If'n yer so pissed on account a' our loss, then let's see one o'you step up an' do better! Anybody? Di'nt think so. Remember, findin' strong pirates is the whole reason we put together this competition. Now anybody have a problem with that?"[/color] Not a single soul uttered a sound. None, that is, except for the man in the dark coat and top hat, who snickered in a raspy voice. Evidently this was hilarious.

[color=darkslategray]"Good. Now then..."[/color] The Buccaneer's captain scanned the stands for the next of his officers, before resting his gaze on the shirtless man with the clock tattoo. [color=darkslategray]"Alright, yer up, Greave."[/color] A silence filled the room as each of the Buccaneers exchanged looks, followed by slowly escalating whispers. The tattooed man stood up,popped his neck, rolled his shoulders, then gave a polite bow to his captain. Unlike his crewmate, Greave did not give a flashy entrance as he descended the stairs into the main hall. He did not signal the mooks with a word or fingersnap as Launcher did. They simply knew what to do and went to work, cleaning up the dodgeball court and replacing it with a large matted ring, cordoned off by a series of ropes. It was a boxing ring.

Greave turned to everyone on the stands and addressed them, speaking barely a whisper, yet the intensity of his face seemed to imply that he was in fact yelling. [sub][color=coral]"Who is brave enough to get in the ring with me for a boxing match? No blows below the belt, no points, victory on knockout!"[/color][/sub]

[hider=Character Box][center][b][color=coral][h3]Irons "Knockout" Greave[/h3]
Fighter of the Buccaneer Pirates
Speak softly and carry a big fist[/color][/b]
[img]https://pre00.deviantart.net/7c50/th/pre/i/2018/049/5/0/little_red_by_grim_red-dc3kz5f.jpg[/img][/center][/hider]

Bonekid had already volunteered for the next bout, but before he could rise to the challenge Hachirou stood up. [color=orange]"Apologies, kid, but you're a swordsman. If we're going to box..."[/color] He dramatically tore off his coat, throwing it up into the air where it was quickly caught by Runch. [color=orange]"Then we need a strong fist fighter. Besides, we can't let you Red Rums have all the fun. I've got my own pride as a Krunch. Right, cap'n?"[/color]

Runch could only respond with happy blubbering tears and a thumbs up, which gave the Krunch Krew's navigator all the validation he needed to hop over the railing to land directly in the boxing ring.

[hr][hr]

Smith seemed to contemplate Dirk's words for a moment as he moved the bodies of the two unconscious guards. Their legs dragged comically along the stone ground as the ninja stashed them around the corner, just off to the side of one of the castle's towers. [color=black]"Probably a bad idea. If these jokers find that we've killed some of them they'll blow apart the ships for sure. Then it won't matter how long it takes to log this island on the log pose, because we couldn't leave."[/color] Either he completely missed that it was a joke, or Dirk didn't sound like he was joking. Either way, the idea was shot down.

[color=black]"Let's take a look in here,"[/color] he suggested, gesturing to the wooden door leading inside the tower. He opened it slowly, cautiously, but one look inside revealed that the caution was unwarranted, for the room was empty. It appeared to be some manner of observation post. Inside was a telescope pointed toward the ocean, and a radio station setup with a large den den mushi. Several logbooks were stacked on a nearby bookshelf, while the back wall had been emblazoned with a large marine logo and the words [b]G-12[/b], both of which had black paint crossing them out.

[color=black]"I guess they saw us coming long before we ever spotted this island,"[/color] Smitth observed, noting the telescope's positioning.