The stranger, with an air of confidence, revealed himself as Rius, a sharpshooter of considerable renown. He extended a warm welcome to Leo, inviting him into his humble abode—a ramshackle dwelling nestled deep within the verdant embrace of the jungle. The shack, though modest, boasted a chimney that puffed out wisps of smoke, hinting at the warmth within. Rius informed Leo of his intention to gather oranges, promising a simple yet hearty lunch for the two of them.
Intrigued by the island's mysteries, Leo set off to explore his surroundings. However, his curiosity was abruptly interrupted by a thunderous bang that reverberated through the air, sending a jolt of fear coursing through him. He stifled a gasp, instinctively crouching behind a sturdy oak tree, his heart racing as he peered cautiously into the clearing. There, he spotted a middle-aged man clad in a Navy uniform—the sworn enemies of pirates. The man wore a propeller hat, identical to Rius', and his beard framed a face that bore the weight of many battles.
The man sat beside a well, tossing a coin into the water with a contemplative expression. Suddenly, a wave of dizziness washed over Leo, and he collapsed to the ground, the world around him fading into darkness. When he regained consciousness, he found himself surrounded by villagers who had come to his aid. Among them, a familiar silhouette lingered in the periphery of his vision, but he dismissed it as a mere figment of his imagination.
Rius soon appeared at his side once more, his eyes gleaming with promise as he spoke of a treasure that awaited them. As they exchanged stories, Leo learned of Rius's noble lineage, marked by an 'x' scar that adorned his left eye and his striking blonde hair. Their journey took an unexpected turn when they encountered a young man, tears streaming down his face. When asked about his sorrow, he revealed that his father had been executed by a monstrous creature residing in the nearby palace.
With a determined nod, Rius led Leo toward the imposing doors of the palace.
In the shimmering twilight, the two stumbled upon a towering figure, an ice fishman who loomed at an impressive height of nearly nine and a half feet. His skin shimmered in shades of deep azure, adorned with intricate tattoos that snaked around his powerful arms. Muscles rippled beneath his skin, a testament to his formidable strength, and a wide, toothy grin stretched across his face, reminiscent of a predator lurking in the depths. His features bore an uncanny resemblance to that of a shark, from the sharp angles of his jaw to the glint in his eyes. Clad in a vibrant tropical polo that contrasted sharply with his icy complexion, he sported a bucket hat perched jauntily atop his head, while long, flowing strands of black hair cascaded down his back like a dark waterfall.
Rius, with a mix of trepidation and excitement, stepped forward to introduce Leo to this enigmatic creature of the sea. With a sense of pride swelling in his chest, Leo declared himself the future king of the pirates, his voice ringing with ambition and bravado. The fishman, however, merely chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound that echoed through the air, as he regaled them with tales of his own conquests, boasting of the many formidable foes he had vanquished in his time.
But the atmosphere shifted abruptly, a tension crackling in the air as the fishman captain's demeanor darkened. With a commanding voice, he issued a chilling order to Rius, demanding that he eliminate Leo. Shock coursed through Leo's veins, disbelief etched across his features as he grappled with the sudden betrayal. Rius turned to him, disappointment flickering in his eyes, and uttered the words that would haunt Leo forever: "Number one rule of the streets, never trust anyone." In a swift, brutal motion, Rius plunged a blade into Leo's abdomen, the cold steel biting deep, before he callously shoved him toward the waiting waters, leaving Leo to grapple with the betrayal and the encroaching darkness.