Ritter and his crew glided lazily across the glittering sea in their small boat, heading toward an island that, from a distance, looked more like a carnival than a pirate base.
Colorful banners fluttered in the salty breeze. Music and laughter echoed across the harbor. And hanging proudly above the entrance was a massive sign that read:
"Buggy's Paradise Recruitment Fair! Free Food and Lodging! Annual Salary: 1 Million Berries!"
Ah-Dai's eyes nearly popped out of his head. "Boss! That's it! That's Captain Buggy's territory!"
Ritter squinted, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. "Huh. Quite the spectacle, isn't it?"
He reached into his coat, pulled out a simple black mask, and slipped it on. Even with half his face hidden, his natural charisma still made heads turn.
Ah-Dai and his men stared at him in awe. "Boss, you're…?"
"Keeping it low-key," Ritter said, waving dismissively. "Let's see what our old friend's up to this time."
When they stepped ashore, the so-called "recruitment fair" turned out to be stranger than anything Ritter had imagined. It wasn't like the brutal survival-style selections used by Rocks D. Xebec back in the day. No, this was something far more ridiculous.
The central square was packed with all sorts of people massive, scarred men flexing their muscles, cigar-chomping pirates sneering at the competition, and a few clearly lost souls who didn't seem to know what they'd signed up for.
Several makeshift stages had been erected, each hosting a different "challenge."
The first one's sign read:
"Challenge No.1: Soothe the Crying Baby!"
Contestants had to calm down a wailing infant using any non-violent method. Whoever succeeded the fastest won.
And that was it. There weren't any other events listed.
Ah-Dai scratched his head. "Wait… are they recruiting pirates or babysitters?"
Ah-Head stroked his chin, trying to sound wise. "No, no… I get it now! Captain Buggy must be testing emotional intelligence. Only true great pirates would have the patience for this!"
Ritter's mouth twitched. Buggy, you'd better have a damn good explanation for this.
Still, the smell of grilled fish from a nearby stall was too tempting to ignore. Ritter bought a few skewers, sat on a crate, and watched the chaos unfold. I've fought enough battles for a lifetime, he thought. Might as well enjoy the show… and maybe pick up a few gifts for the kids.
"Don't push! Line up! Line up!" Mohji shouted at the crowd, his voice already hoarse. But his words were swallowed by the roar of hundreds of shouting applicants.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead, then grabbed a Den-Den amplifier and bellowed, "Anyone who keeps yelling will be disqualified!"
The crowd instantly quieted for one second before erupting again even louder.
"Disqualified?! I've been in line for three hours!"
"Out of the way! I'm 'Iron Hawk' Hawk! I get priority!"
"I've got a kid to feed let me in first!"
Mohji was shoved, tripped, and spun in circles until his turban was half off. Finally, veins bulging, he slammed his clipboard shut and jabbed a random finger toward the crowd. "You! You! And you! Get on stage! The rest of you, register later or not at all!"
His finger landed squarely on Ritter who was mid-bite into his grilled fish.
Ritter blinked. "...Huh?"
Ah-Dai and the others gasped. "Boss! You got picked!"
Before Ritter could even protest, Cabaji and Mohji had already grabbed him by the arms and dragged him toward the stage. Ritter still held his fish between his teeth, looking thoroughly unamused. "Wait, I didn't even say "
"Less talking, more performing!" Cabaji barked, pushing him up.
Ritter sighed, eyes narrowing. Cabaji, my friend, you'd better pray your captain's wearing armor today.
The host raised his voice dramatically. "Next up, our lucky contestant the Mysterious Masked Man! Your task: make this baby stop crying in three minutes!"
In the middle of the stage sat a crib with a chubby baby wailing loud enough to shake the heavens.
The crowd erupted.
"He's so handsome!" someone squealed. "That's exactly my type!"
"Look at him! My second husband after the Fog Lord himself!"
Ritter ignored the chaos. He looked down at the baby. The baby looked up at him, hiccuping mid-sob. For a brief moment, their eyes met. Then the baby started screaming even louder, kicking wildly toward Ritter's chin.
From the stands: "He's so cool! Even babies want to fight him!"
Ritter sighed, crouched beside the cradle, and murmured something quietly into the infant's ear something only the two of them could hear. A faint, calming mist shimmered around them.
Almost instantly, the crying stopped. The baby blinked up at him, hiccupped once, and went quiet.
The entire square fell silent.
The host's jaw dropped. "Wh what just happened?!"
Ritter straightened, brushed his hair back with a practiced motion, and the crowd went wild.
"Wow!"
"He's amazing!"
"Marry me, Masked Man!"
Ah-Dai and his crew were practically sobbing. "Boss even babysits with style!"
"Ah-Dai's right!" two of them chorused.
Ritter gave them a sidelong look. "If you're out of things to say, you don't have to flatter me."
The host hurried to the stage again. "Due to… uh… time constraints, we're skipping the finals! Congratulations to the Masked Gentleman for winning today's championship!"
Ritter blinked. "What?"
Before he could react, Mohji thrust a trophy and a bag of Berries into his arms. "Congratulations! Please collect your prize backstage!"
Ritter's smile vanished. "Where's Buggy?"
Mohji's grin froze. He could feel the air around them getting colder. "O-our captain is very busy today! Lots of paperwork! Not on the island!"
Ritter chuckled a sound that made the three lieutenants shiver. "Is that so? Then I'll go backstage and thank him personally."
Cabaji panicked. "N-no need! He's really busy!"
Ritter slowly pulled off his mask.
Three jaws hit the ground.
"M-M-Master Fog Lord…" Mohji stammered. Even Richie the lion started trembling, his mane puffed out like a terrified cat.
And then, from backstage, came that unmistakable laugh:
"Yahaha! Bring out our new recruit! Let me see which lucky soul gets the honor of joining the great Buggy Pirates!"
Ritter's eye twitched. His fist clenched.
Buggy strutted out from behind the curtain, hands on his hips, chin tilted skyward in classic arrogance. "Yahahaha! Let Captain Buggy gaze upon today's champion!"
Mohji, Cabaji, and Richie were all frantically shaking their heads, sweat pouring down like rain.
Buggy frowned. "What's wrong with you idiots? You look like you've seen a ghost!"
Mohji's voice cracked. "C-captain… this champion he's…"
Ritter turned, expression calm but voice heavy with quiet menace. "It's been a while, Buggy."
The laughter died instantly.
Buggy froze mid-pose. His pupils shrank to pinpoints. "R-Ritter?!"
Ritter smiled faintly, the kind that promised pain. "Recruitment fair, huh? Tell me… what exactly are you recruiting for this time?"
The island went dead silent.
Even the baby in the crib whimpered once and wisely decided to stay quiet.
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