Dawn broke, signaling a new day.
After breakfast and preparations, the Going Merry set sail.
The routine was familiar, but today's pace was hurried. They were set to reunite with Kiri, who'd been acting separately. His whereabouts and actions were a mystery, sparking curiosity and some frustration among the crew. The air felt different.
A heavy mood lingered on deck, not solely directed at Kiri.
The source: Shuraiya and Adel, sitting apart, staring at the sea.
Their awkwardness since breakfast infected the crew, making onlookers uneasy.
Watching from a corner, Usopp whispered to Silk nearby.
"How long are they gonna stay like that? They're siblings, right? Can't they sort it out? Both just sitting there, silent."
"Understandable. They thought each other dead. A sudden reunion's tough."
"But they're family! Shouldn't that—"
"Shuraiya's lived as a bounty hunter. Probably not all good times. He likely feels guilty. Forcing it won't help."
"Frustrating. It should be a happy moment."
Both Shuraiya and Adel gazed at the sea, aware of each other but unsure how to connect. Eight years ago, they were family; since then, they didn't even know the other was alive.
Shuraiya, head bowed, carried guilt, as Silk said, stained by others' blood. Adel, in turn, seemed unsettled by him.
Facing each other now felt impossible. For now, they'd delay.
Usopp and Silk fell silent, accepting the heavy atmosphere. Complaints wouldn't help; they'd adjust. Things might shift on the island.
Biera was supposedly in Parthia. Perhaps he could bridge their gap.
Silence settled over the ship, each crew member lost in thought, scattered across the deck.
Then Luffy's voice boomed. Perched at the bow, he spotted an island ahead.
"We see it!" he shouted.
"Finally," Sanji muttered.
"Took longer than expected," Nami added.
The log pose confirmed the island ahead was Parthia, the Dead End race's goal.
Relief washed over them. Misled, ambushed, and dodging storms, they'd finally reached this island. Nami sighed heavily, exhaustion evident.
"Three hundred million down to one hundred million… If Kiri had warned us—"
"It's fine. Less, sure, but one hundred million's still good," Sanji said.
"It was three hundred! Now just one? The loss stings."
"Haha, true. But one hundred million's a fortune from zero."
"Yeah, but…" Nami sighed again, mourning the loss.
Her love for money fueled her fixation, but surviving their ordeals was lucky enough. Refocusing, she gazed at the island.
"Whatever. We all made it through. Let's rest there."
"Need more coffee, Vivi-chan?" Sanji asked.
"I'm good. Thanks, Sanji-san."
"My pleasure." Smiling, Sanji headed to the lounge.
At a round table, Nami sat with Vivi, sipping coffee, savoring the morning breeze. It calmed her, but Vivi looked troubled.
"Nami-san," Vivi began.
"Hm?"
"Is it okay to be this relaxed? My country faces rebellion, yet I'm so calm…"
"You're overthinking, Vivi. Kiri said the rebellion hasn't started."
"But—"
"We don't know the Kiri from Baroque Works. His confidence is a mystery, but…"
Nami met Vivi's anxious gaze with a genuine smile.
"He's our crewmate. He wouldn't let you down."
"Right…"
"You're too serious. Constant tension's exhausting. Try being carefree like them."
Nami nodded toward Luffy and Usopp, rowdy with excitement for the goal. Typical chaos.
Vivi smiled faintly. Igaram, concerned, spoke, but Vivi's response surprised him.
"It's only natural, Vivi-sama. You left to save Alabasta, bearing all worries for its sake—"
"Maybe I'm overthinking," Vivi interrupted, smiling softly at Igaram.
"Vivi-sama?"
"I should take their lead. Too much tension wears you out."
"Exactly. We can't head straight to Alabasta yet. Worrying now won't help. Focus on what you can do," Nami said.
"Right."
"The race is over. Rest for now."
Nami's gentle smile eased Vivi's tension, softening her expression. Igaram, impressed, noted their compassion—treating Vivi, him, and Karoo as true crewmates, free of ulterior motives. His face softened as he stepped away.
Suddenly, Nami leaned forward, elbows on the table, grinning slyly.
"By the way, Vivi, you're a princess, right? If we get you home safely, we're big heroes… You get me?"
"Y-Yes."
"Hehe, good. Worst case, I'll ask the king directly. I'm counting on it."
Vivi looked troubled by Nami's scheming words. Igaram hesitated, unsure whether to intervene or ignore, frozen in place.
Then a shout came from the bow.
The island neared, and the crew gathered, staring at the scene. It wasn't what they expected, their voices tinged with shock.
"What's that!?" Usopp yelled.
"The town… destroyed?" Silk said, face grim.
Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji mirrored her shock, faces stern.
Parthia lay in ruins. Days ago, it was likely peaceful. Now, the race's endpoint was a wasteland of rubble, no trace of its former self. No people, no signs of life—a town dead, marked by pirate terror.
The crew fell silent, disbelief etched on their faces.
Nami and Vivi rushed over, gasping at the sight.
"It's completely gone…" Nami whispered.
"Horrible…" Vivi murmured.
"Pirates, huh? Damn, they trashed the whole place," Usopp said.
Adel joined them, gripping the railing, glaring at the town with hatred. Memories surfaced—her own hometown razed by pirates. Her anger was understandable.
"Pirates are all like this. Attacking innocent people, rampaging, killing for their own gain," she spat.
"Hey, don't lump us in! If we were like that, we'd have ditched you long ago. We brought you here," Usopp countered.
"I know you're different. But not all pirates are."
"Well, yeah…" Usopp faltered, unable to argue.
Most of the Merry's crew had suffered from pirates. They knew how the world viewed their kind, regardless of their actions. Adel's words, born from losing her home and family, hit hard.
Silence fell, the crew wordless, the air heavy.
Silk moved to Adel's side, kneeling to meet her eyes, placing a hand on her shoulder. Her face showed sympathy, unable to hide it. Their similar pasts had different outcomes—Silk saved, Adel scarred. Her empathy was natural.
The Merry neared the island. Arrival loomed, but the mood was grim.
Shuraiya stayed back, leaning against a wall, arms crossed, expression somber. He knew Adel was at the bow but didn't move. Zoro, nearby, spoke up.
"You okay staying here?"
"…Me going won't fix anything."
"She's your only family left. Gonna let her go again?"
"I can't hold onto her."
Shuraiya's self-mocking laugh cast a shadow over his face. Avoiding her gaze, his tone revealed enough. Zoro, aware of his bounty hunter past, listened grimly.
"I did anything to kill Gasparde. These hands are too bloody. I didn't know she was alive for eight years, never went for her. Playing big brother now? She'd hate it."
"She say that?"
"No. But it's obvious. A filthy bounty hunter and a civilian live in different worlds."
"That's your take. Don't decide for her."
Shuraiya shot Zoro a skeptical look, but Zoro faced forward, continuing.
"Using her as an excuse to run isn't admirable."
"It's not that. It's for her."
"That's still you talking. Ask her yourself."
Their talk circled. Shuraiya fell silent, pondering. Glancing at Zoro, their eyes met briefly. Zoro nodded toward the bow.
Adel had turned, looking at Shuraiya.
Their gazes locked. He'd avoided her since learning she was his sister, but now, urged to listen, he couldn't look away, staring unconsciously.
It was likely the first time he'd met her eyes since realizing their bond.
Adel's troubled yet resolute expression held his gaze.
"She's ready," Zoro said. "What about you?"
Clarity hit. Shuraiya froze, stunned, then looked down.
Adel's face carried resolve. Combined with Zoro's words, her intent was clear—no need for words. But was that okay? He questioned himself, hesitating, words failing.
Zoro quietly left, seeing his state.
The ship neared docking. The crew expertly furled sails, eased toward the port, and dropped anchor, halting.
Luffy disembarked first.
The town's desolate ruins offered no comfort. No culprits, no signs of life. Asking anyone seemed impossible.
Luffy, arms crossed, tilted his head, groaning.
Where was Kiri? Not in the port's view. He'd said he arrived first. Not one to lie or get lost, and skilled enough not to lose, the crew wasn't worried—yet his absence sparked unease.
The others disembarked, noting the lack of Kiri's greeting, their faces puzzled.
Standing around changed nothing. Luffy scanned the area, muttering.
"No one's here. Where's Kiri?"
"Said he arrived, right? Pirates didn't get him, did they?" Usopp asked.
"No way. It's Kiri," Luffy replied.
"Hiding somewhere? Plenty of spots," Zoro said.
"What was he even doing alone? Safer than leaving Luffy solo, but still," Nami added.
Luffy, Usopp, and Nami stood together, gazing at the town, each with different thoughts but searching for the same thing.
Adel ran up, Silk and Vivi close behind, the latter with Karoo, watching over her. Stopping beside Luffy, Adel scanned for Biera, her grandfather, supposedly there. His absence fueled her worry.
"Where's Grandpa!? Luffy, found him?" she asked.
"Nope. No one's here," Luffy said.
"No… Where'd he go? Wasn't he here!?"
"Calm down. We haven't confirmed he's gone. We'll find him—" Usopp began, soothing Adel's panic.
Silk, arriving late, noticed something and alerted the crew.
"Hey, someone's coming."
"Huh?"
A figure appeared, unnoticed until now.
A woman approached from the town's main road. Dressed in an aristocratic gown, she exuded elegance, walking alone, seemingly toward the crew. The distance closed as they stood still.
The crew watched her. Golden hair to her shoulders, stunningly beautiful, wearing glasses, she radiated nobility. Her presence captivated, despite the incongruous dress.
They stared, puzzled, as she neared. Sanji, thrilled, rushed forward, light on his feet, voice dreamy.
"Oh, what beauty! A lone flower blooming in this ruined town. I'd guard you forever, keeping you from wilting."
"Sanji's broken again," Usopp said.
"Typical," Zoro added.
The woman stopped, smiling gently. Sanji's fervor intensified, earning sighs from the crew.
"Hello. You're the Straw Hats, right?" she said.
"No, your knight in shining armor," Sanji replied.
"Sanji-kun, you're in the way," Nami snapped, yanking his ear.
"You know us?" Luffy asked, stepping forward.
She chuckled, her grace and poise striking. Familiarity with pirates felt odd, yet she faced them confidently, most of the crew wary except Sanji.
"I have a message from your crewmate," she said.
"Kiri? He's okay!" Luffy exclaimed.
"Damn Kiri, sneaking off again…!" Sanji grumbled.
"Hey, know anything about my grandpa? Wasn't he with Kiri?" Adel asked urgently.
Her pristine appearance—no injuries, no dirt—stood out post-attack. Unfazed by pirates, she seemed knowledgeable. Asking her about Biera was logical.
Understanding, the woman smiled at Adel.
"He's fine. He was ill, right? He's been moved to a hospital across the mountain for rest. He's likely recovering now."
"Really!? He's okay…" Adel beamed.
"He was worried about you. You should go to him soon."
"Yeah!"
Adel's joy softened Silk and Vivi's expressions. Luffy turned to the woman.
"Where's Kiri?"
"Sadly, not here."
"Why not?"
"Last night, he was captured by marines."
"What!? Captured!?" Luffy shouted, joined by others.
Shock rippled through the crew, disbelief clear, but her calm smile held. It wasn't a lie, amplifying their unease.
Luffy leaned in. "What happened?"
"A polar bear attacked from the sea, took him. It was dark, but I'm sure it was a bear. Terrifyingly strong…"
"Polar bear? Could it be…" Silk said.
"Yeah, that one," Zoro confirmed.
They'd faced it before—a formidable foe, barely escaped despite teamwork. Its strength, despite its cute look, was elite. If it took Kiri, his capture made sense. Luffy, Nami, Silk, and Zoro grasped it quickly, unlike the others, who focused on her words.
The woman, still smiling, continued.
"There were two other animals too. He was taken, likely to a nearby Navy base. No contact since."
"Which base?" Luffy asked.
"Probably Navarone."
"Navarone!?" Nami gasped. "Of all places…"
They'd recently seen Navarone's imposing presence, fleeing due to the race. Kiri was there now. Nami wished it was a joke.
The Navy fortress, undefeated against pirates, dubbed "Hedgehog" for its impenetrability. No one escaped.
What to do? Nami's gaze shifted to Luffy, whose serious eyes showed resolve. She bit her lip.
"What now, Luffy?"
"Obviously, we save him."
"Seriously? Navarone's unbeatable in these seas. One pirate ship can't take it. You'll risk your lives."
"Don't care. Kiri's my crewmate. I won't abandon him."
Luffy turned sharply. Adel, worried, called out.
"Luffy, you're really going? It's dangerous. I—"
"You go to your grandpa. This is our problem."
"But—"
"It's fine, Adel. Do what you can," Silk said gently.
Adel met Silk's soft smile, swallowing her words.
She wanted to help but didn't know how. Cool-headedness might hinder, and her concern for Biera was real. Resigned, she watched them return to the ship.
Their focus shifted. Why Kiri was captured didn't matter—saving him did. Facing the "strongest" fortress head-on was impossible. Strategy was needed, but their strategist was gone—a dire situation.
As they boarded, Usopp, anxious, voiced concerns.
"Luffy, I'm all for saving Kiri, but rushing in blindly will get us killed. Let's plan—"
"Can't wait. I'm going now."
"But if the Merry sinks, it's over—"
"Give it up, Usopp. He won't budge," Sanji said calmly.
Luffy wasn't one to plan first. He acted, then thought—or didn't. Resigned, Usopp sighed, shoulders slumping.
As they prepared to board, Shuraiya blocked their path, face serious, eyes on Luffy.
"Anything I can do?" he asked gravely.
"Stay with Adel," Luffy replied.
"I'm just baggage now. No use. Not about repayment, but owing you feels wrong."
"Then settle it later. If you're pissed, fight me after."
Luffy grinned. Shuraiya, wordless, absorbed his words.
"Stay with her. She's alive—don't let her go again."
"…Yeah."
Shuraiya wanted to speak but didn't, stepping aside silently.
The Straw Hats boarded the Going Merry, bustling to prepare. Kiri was taken last night—his fate unknown. Execution was possible. They knew no kind Navy, and his survival was uncertain, urging haste.
Luffy called to Nami, who checked Navarone's Eternal Pose.
"Nami! We good?"
"Yep. This'll get us there."
"Alright, set sail! To save Kiri!"
Without rest, the Merry sailed off. Adel and Shuraiya, still distant, watched with serious eyes. Nearby, the elegant woman, smiling until now, sighed wearily as the crew departed.
--+--
T/N: Although I'm an inexperienced Editor, I do have a Patreon account! Although it seems like I don't have many supporters right now, my webnovel will be released in full every day, and the advanced chapters will be uploaded to Patreon.
It may not be worth it now, but who knows, it might be different in the future. Who knows!
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