The morning broke over Crabjaw Point like a blade through mist—clean, sharp, and a little too quiet.
Ankit stood on the ship's deck, slowly rotating his sore left shoulder. The bandages were fresh, but the bruises beneath ran deep. Even so, his eyes remained calm, locked on the distant horizon.
[System Passive: Minor Muscle Recovery Applied]
"Still brooding over last night?" Shanks called from the mast as he chomped on an apple. "You took down a loudmouth pirate and saved a town. Shouldn't that earn you at least a smirk?"
"I'm not brooding," Ankit replied flatly. "I'm calculating."
"Same thing," Shanks laughed. "You need a drink."
They set sail before midday, leaving behind the grateful whispers of the villagers. But just beyond the island's shadow, a shape stirred on the horizon.
A single marine ship—sleek, white, and moving with purpose.
"Trouble?" Shanks asked, casually flipping his coin.
"Definitely," Ankit muttered. His instincts flared. And something colder surged inside the pit of his stomach.
[System Scan: Threat Detected — Marine Captain-Class Combatant Approaching]
Name: Captain Riven "Fang" Dregor
Battle Rank: High Mid-Tier
Known for: Ruthless Sea Law, Pirate Hunts, No Mercy Policy
Shanks raised an eyebrow as the ship closed in. "A Captain? Here? That's unusual for East Blue…"
The marine ship docked beside them with uncanny precision. From the side, a boot stepped down—a tall, silver-haired man in a crisp white coat with fanged insignias carved across the chest.
His eyes were pale gold. Cold, snake-like.
"Vice-Admiral sent me here to sweep the filth from these waters," he said, voice smooth as poison. "I smell rats."
Shanks stepped forward, smiling. "Then welcome aboard! We don't bite."
Captain Dregor ignored the hand extended in mock friendship. His gaze shifted to Ankit.
"You," he said with eerie certainty. "You're not from this world."
Ankit's breath caught.
[ALERT: System Concealment Field – Holding]
Warning: Psychological Analysis Detected
He tightened his grip on his swords, unsure how the man could sense anything. The system was supposed to be invisible.
"I'm just a swordsman," Ankit said calmly.
Dregor smiled, but it wasn't kind. "That remains to be seen."
Without warning, Dregor moved.
Fast—too fast.
Ankit barely crossed his blades before the fanged saber clashed against him, sending sparks into the air. His feet slid across the deck.
[Twin Flash Step — Unlocked]
Execution Difficulty: High. Usage not recommended under 25% health.
"You've got the stance," Dregor said, pressing in. "But no weight behind it. What are you hiding?"
Ankit didn't answer. He leapt back, focusing his breath.
This man wasn't like Brego.
He was a predator.
And worse—he had questions.
Shanks stepped between them, hand on his hilt. "Now, now, let's not get nasty. You want to file a report? Fine. But if you raise your sword again—"
"I enforce law with blood, Red-Haired," Dregor hissed. "And I smell future criminals."
Shanks' smile faded for the first time.
A marine lieutenant ran to the rail, shouting, "Sir! Another pirate flag spotted west—looks like the Black Fin Crew!"
Dregor's eyes gleamed. "You're lucky, rat. Duty calls."
He sheathed his blade and turned to go.
But just before he stepped off the deck, he whispered without looking back:
"Next time, I'll cut through your secrets."
And then he was gone.
The marine ship turned west, its sails snapping violently in the wind.
Shanks exhaled slowly.
Ankit leaned on his sword, sweat trailing down his brow.
He hadn't even used a skill—and already his limbs were burning.
[Notice: Combat Analysis — You Were Outclassed]
Recommendation: Do not engage this enemy until your proficiency is increased
He didn't need the system to tell him that.
"I've seen a lot of marines," Shanks said, walking up beside him. "But that one's a different kind of monster."
"I know," Ankit said.
They were silent for a while.
Then Shanks grinned. "Wanna go west and steal that Black Fin crew's loot while he's busy?"
Ankit blinked, then smirked faintly. "Now that's a good plan."
As the sun began to set, the Red Blade crew charted a new course—not away from danger, but toward it. That's just how pirates live.
And Ankit knew: if he wanted to survive in this world...
He'd need more than a system.
He'd need a legacy.
End of Chapter 3 – "The Marine's Fang"
Next: Chapter 4 – "Shadows Over Siren Reef"