"This is Armament Haki. It's like wearing invisible armor—untouchable by ordinary strength," Ethan said with a faint smile, his voice calm but carrying the weight of dominance. "Your punches may look fierce, but they lack essence."
"Enough!" Burgess bellowed, his eyes burning with rage. "Stop hiding behind your fancy tricks and face me! Let's see if I can't smash that smug grin off your face!"
Ethan tilted his head slightly. "As you wish."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward—meeting Burgess's colossal fist head-on.
The air exploded.BOOM!
A thunderous impact shook the dock, sending waves crashing against the shore.Then came the scream.
"AAARGHH!"
Burgess's massive body was hurled backward like a cannonball, slamming into the ground with such force that the planks beneath him cracked. Silence fell instantly. Every gaze locked on Ethan.
He stood motionless, black coat fluttering, his calm demeanor contrasting the devastation he had caused.At that moment, awe replaced fear—respect replaced arrogance.
"Follow me," Ethan said coldly, his voice cutting through the air. "With time, you'll grasp this power yourselves. I won't make false promises. If you crave strength… then prove it."
He turned toward the massive ship anchored nearby. Baccarat followed, her golden hair gleaming beneath the sunlight, curiosity in her eyes.
"Wiiihahahaha…"Despite the pain coursing through him, Burgess's laughter echoed. "Such power! I can't let a monster like you sail without me!"
Turning toward Doc Q, he barked, "Well? Are you coming or dying here, old man?"
Doc Q sighed, patting his frail horse, Stronger. "Hah… death sounds easier, but fine. I'll come. Maybe I'll live long enough to see something interesting."
Moments later, the three were aboard.
The Code of the Black Sun Pirates
As they stepped onto the deck, Burgess noticed something etched deep into the mast—lines carved with deliberate precision, gleaming faintly in the daylight. The words carried authority, as though burned by will alone.
Code of the Black Sun Pirates
The Captain rules by right of strength.
Rank is earned with fists—challenge if you dare.
Respect the strong and protect your comrades.
Train or be left behind.
Join by merit—prove your worth or perish.
Luck and skill are valued, but strength commands them.
Booty and power go hand in hand—earn your share.
Betrayal will be punished, ambition will be rewarded.
Silence when needed, glory when it matters.
Our Creed: Power and Wealth — Strength Above All.
Burgess ran his hand across the carvings, grinning. "Heh… so this is the captain's scripture, huh? Strength above all?"
Ethan, hands in his pockets, nodded slightly. "This ship doesn't need empty promises or speeches. Here, your fists are your voice. Speak with them."
He turned, his tone cold yet commanding. "If your strength surpasses mine, then you become captain. Until then, obey and grow stronger."
Burgess burst into laughter. "Wiiihahahaha! That's the kind of crew I like! No rules—only power! Real pirates!"
Doc Q tilted his head, his voice low and raspy. "A cruel captain, but honest… perhaps that's the only kind that survives."
Ethan raised his hand slightly. "Raise the flag."
The sound of chains and wind filled the air as a massive black flag unfurled high above them.A white skull grinned in its center, framed by a burning sun engulfed in darkness—behind it, two crossed knives. On one blade, the word "Power," on the other, "Wealth."
The flag of the Black Sun Pirates.
Every crew member stared, struck by its presence. Ethan looked up at it with quiet pride.
"This flag represents the truth of the world," he said. "Only those strong enough to seize both Power and Wealth can stand beneath it."
He paused, then smiled faintly."The weak… will burn in its shadow."
"Set sail," Ethan commanded.
"Yes, Captain Ethan!"
The sails caught the wind, and the Black Sun Pirates began their journey across the seas.
Burgess leaned against the railing, grinning wildly. "Captain, if there's a 'Battle for the Captain,' then there must be a 'Battle for the Vice Captain,' right?"
Ethan didn't look back. "When the crew grows, every rank will be earned by battle—division by division. So train hard. Otherwise, you'll never even reach the arena."
He left the deck and disappeared into the lower cabins—the training chamber echoing moments later with the sound of fists striking steel.
Baccarat watched from afar, intrigued by his relentless discipline. "He's obsessed," she whispered. "But that's what makes him dangerous."
"Wiiihahahaha!" Burgess bellowed. "That's fine by me! The First Division will be mine! Anyone who stands in my way—I'll crush them!"
Doc Q smirked faintly. "Oh? Giving up on the captain's seat already?"
Burgess scowled. "I'm not suicidal, old man. But Vice Captain? That's fair game."
He clenched his fists, fire burning in his eyes. "Power and Wealth, huh? Then I'll seize both."
Doc Q coughed, half amused. "You sound like the captain already… just without the brains."
The two argued as Baccarat followed Ethan into the training chamber. Inside, the air was thick with energy. Ethan trained like a man possessed—punch after punch, every movement precise, efficient, merciless.
"His will is terrifying," she thought. "He's not just chasing power… he's preparing for war."
Three Days Later — South Blue, Victor Town
"Finally!" Burgess shouted as the ship docked. "Land! I'm starving! Wiiihahahaha!"
Doc Q yawned, leaning on Stronger. "The captain hasn't left that room in three days. I think he's trying to kill himself through training."
Burgess laughed. "If you don't push harder, you'll be the one replaced. That's the rule."
Footsteps echoed behind them. Ethan emerged from below deck, his presence alone commanding silence. His hair was damp with sweat, his knuckles scarred.
"Prepare to disembark," he said. "Baccarat's feeling lucky."
That one sentence was enough. The crew erupted in cheers.
"Aye, Captain Ethan!"
As the gangplank dropped, the pirate flag of the Black Sun Pirates swayed proudly in the ocean wind.Its dark sun loomed—a symbol of power and ambition consuming everything beneath it.
Power and Wealth — Strength Above All.
Victor Town Incident
"Hand over the money or die!"
Two bandits brandished knives at a trembling young man. The scene was typical—a robbery in a quiet town.
Then a new voice cut through the tension.Sharp. Confident. Feminine.
"You two… are trash."
The woman in the red dress strode forward, cigarette between her lips, flag in hand. Her aura was commanding—her name, Belo Betty.
"Only cowards prey on the weak," she said, waving her flag. A gust of white wind spread from its fabric, sweeping over the terrified young man.
"Stand up," she ordered. "Take control of your life."
The man blinked, something shifting inside him. His fear melted away, replaced by fury and courage. He clenched his fists and charged.Two punches—two bodies hit the ground.
Betty smirked. "That's better."
Before the young man could thank her, she was gone.
Moments later, a voice came from above, calm yet heavy.
"Remarkable ability."
She turned sharply.A figure stood atop a tree branch—black coat, dark eyes, presence like a storm barely restrained.
"Are you interested in changing the world?" Ethan asked.
Betty exhaled smoke. "Changing the world? You sound like a revolutionary."
Ethan dropped down, landing silently before her."The Celestial Dragons live fat on the backs of the broken. The weak suffer so the corrupt can thrive. That balance will not last."
He stepped closer, eyes burning with conviction."Join me. Together, we'll tear the false gods from their thrones. We'll build a world where strength and freedom rule side by side."
For a long moment, Betty said nothing.Then she smirked. "You're insane."
Ethan smiled faintly. "Maybe. But only madness can shatter the world's order."
A breeze swept through the street as the flag of the Black Sun Pirates waved in the distance—its shadow swallowing the sunlight.
And beneath that shadow, a new alliance was born