The sea breeze carried a sharp tang of salt as it swept across the deck. Fisher Tiger leaned against the railing, his body still aching from wounds that had only just begun to scab. Every shift of the waves seemed to tug at his injuries, but the horizon gave him little time for rest.
In the distance, the shimmering bubbles of Sabaody Archipelago rose and fell like a mirage, glinting in the sunlight. For Tiger, they were a reminder: a new path was opening.
"Hey, great hero."
The voice came from behind, teasing. Tiger turned slightly, his expression hidden beneath the crude mask he wore. The three little sisters Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold were staring at him with round, curious eyes.
He chuckled under his breath. Children always saw through disguises. Their curiosity was both refreshing and dangerous.
Ritter's voice drifted across the deck, carried by mist that clung faintly to the ship: "Change your look, Tiger. A famous hero wandering into Sabaody would cause me all sorts of trouble."
Tiger bared his sharp teeth in a grin. "What then? A new face?"
"Leave it to me." Ritter snapped his fingers. Scarlet mist coiled around his hand, then unfurled like a living thing, wrapping itself around Tiger's towering frame. "Let's make this interesting."
The fog crept over Tiger's crimson skin, erasing the distinctive markings of his people. Where the mist passed, new colors and textures appeared, until the hero of Fishman Island had vanished. In his place stood a stranger a fishman with deep-blue skin, bright red hair, and a scar that cut across one eye in a way suspiciously reminiscent of Rayleigh's.
The sisters peeked from behind the cabin door, gasping in awe.
"Brother Tiger turned into a sunfish!" Marigold whispered.
"No, you dummy it's a bream!" Sandersonia corrected, puffing her cheeks indignantly.
Ritter laughed and conjured a floating mirror, tossing it to Tiger. "Your disguise is 'Red-Scale,' a bounty hunter from the Bream tribe. Killed him myself a few days ago. Shakky can handle the paperwork. You'll pass inspection without trouble."
Tiger examined his reflection, then burst out laughing. "Even Jinbei wouldn't recognize me now!"
A voice cut through the air above. Rayleigh dangled casually from the mast by his legs, half-empty bottle swaying in his grip. "Change your laugh too. That roar of yours is hard to miss. And think carefully have you decided on your next step?"
Tiger grew quiet, his gaze hardening. "I decided before I came here. Jinbei, Arlong, the others they're already waiting. We're leaving Fishman Island behind. The Sun Pirates will rise, and we'll draw the eyes of the World Government. The more attention we take, the safer Fishman Island will be. That's our duty."
He straightened, his decision carved into every muscle of his body. "Rayleigh. Ritter. Thank you for everything. I'll take my leave."
With that, he crouched low and dove into the sea. A splash, a streak of bubbles and he was gone, speeding through the water like an arrow.
Ritter whistled. "What a madman. He could've just sailed with us a while longer, but no straight into the ocean. Well, it's Tiger. He's never still, not even when he rests."
He shook his head but understood. Every second mattered. Fishman Island's fate pressed on Tiger's mind as heavily as the ocean above its bubble.
Behind them, the three sisters had gathered again. Marigold whispered, "I think Ritter big brother must be really handsome under his mask."
Hancock clasped her flushed cheeks, eyes glazing in daydream. "Yes… he must be."
Sandersonia nodded, but Ritter, ever the shameless trickster, heard every word.
"Heh. Time for a game." His grin widened behind the mask. "I only have one of these, you know. Whoever manages to take it from me… graduates. The other two? Sorry, no diplomas."
He chuckled to himself, wondering if he should write his own version of Make-Out Paradise. Surely even the Pirate King's crew could use a bit of literature.
The journey passed with the sisters plotting endlessly, unaware their every word drifted right into Ritter's ears.
By the time they reached Shakky's bar on Sabaody, Ginny was already dozing peacefully upstairs, finally able to relax. Rayleigh sat before the counter, surrounded by empty bottles of rum. Ritter had paid for all of it without blinking money, to him, was just a number.
He sipped his own drink leisurely, waiting. "Alright, kids. Show me what you've got."
From behind the counter, Sandersonia and Marigold huddled together, whispering frantically.
"Big sis has been… burning up lately," Sandersonia muttered, eyes darting toward Hancock, who sat stiff and dreamy by the window. "Let's get him together. You from the left, I'll take the right. Ready?"
Marigold's snakes quivered like tiny propellers. "Ready!"
"One, two three!"
They leapt from opposite sides of the bar, little bodies like twin cannonballs streaking toward Ritter. Their target sat calmly on the stool, mask gleaming under the lamplight.
But just before they struck poof! Ritter's body dissolved into mist.
The girls yelped, momentum carrying them straight into a warm embrace. Shakky caught them both with practiced ease, cigarette perched on her lips, amusement sparkling in her eyes. "Well, well. Throwing yourselves at me? Aren't you two affectionate today?"
Before they could wriggle free, Ritter's voice rang out from above: "Surprise inspection !"
Two wedges of sour lemon were shoved neatly between their open mouths.
"Ahhh !!"
The explosion of acidity contorted their faces. Marigold's snakes stiffened like bristles, while Sandersonia struggled to swallow, her whole body trembling.
"Vitamin C, kids. Helps you grow tall." Ritter appeared behind Shakky, tossing more limes into the air like juggling balls. "Want another slice?"
"Mm-mm!" Marigold shook her head furiously, eyes watering. Sandersonia forced hers down, lifting a shaky thumbs-up. "…Good. Del…licious."
Shakky's chuckle was rich with smoke and warmth. She ruffled their hair, setting three cups of honey milk on the table, each with a paper umbrella. "Courage deserves a reward."
"Next time," Ritter teased, pouring lemon juice into his tea, "make sure your target's real before charging in."
The sisters pouted in unison. "Ritter big brother's cheating!" "He's bullying us!"
He only closed his eyes in smug contentment, savoring the tea. "Mmm. Nothing beats this mood."
From the corner, Hancock had watched every second, her small hands gripping her dress. Ritter's relaxed posture, his easy confidence, the way he toyed with her sisters without malice it burned into her mind.
"…Too cunning," she whispered, cheeks flaming.
Shakky drifted up behind her, perfume mingling with smoke. "What are you staring at, little Hancock?"
The girl jolted but tried to cover it with haughty laughter. "M-Me? I was only admiring the scenery, hahahaha!"
"Mm." Shakky's knowing eyes slid toward Ritter, still sipping tea beside Rayleigh. She exhaled a smoke ring, lips curling. "Yes. Quite the handsome man, isn't he?"
Hancock panicked. "Y-Yes! No I mean, I wasn't saying that!" But her burning ears betrayed her.
Shakky's smile deepened. She, too, wanted the sisters to laugh and play again, after all they'd endured in Mary Geoise. Ritter's antics, however shameless, were medicine.
Leaning closer, she whispered in Hancock's ear: "Want to know what he really looks like?"
Hancock's eyes lit up, her heart hammering.
"First rule," Shakky tapped her forehead. "When someone means no harm, your guard will always slip."
Her gaze flicked toward the steaming pot of tea.
Hancock's mind sparked with an idea. She straightened, tossing her hair, her steps carrying the budding air of a queen. "I'm not curious! I'll only help my sisters get revenge!"
But as she marched stiffly down the stairs, arms and legs moving out of sync, Shakky laughed softly behind her, lighting a fresh cigarette.
"Good luck, little empress."
—————————————————————————————————————————————————
Hooked already? Let me know what grabbed you leave a review and fuel the journey forward! and if we hit every 250 Power Stones, a bonus chapter drops!
Things are just heating up. Read ahead in Unbound Evolutionand stay ahead of the crowd.
[email protected]/_tey
Change @ to a.