The captain pointed his gun at Emi. She didn't flinch. Her presence was full of confidence, unshakable even in the face of danger.
"I like the energy of yours," he said, his voice low and calm.
Yuri started to move, but the captain's eyes locked onto her.
"If you move, I'll pull the trigger."
Immediately, Yuri froze, fear gripping her.
Izumi's eyes were wide with terror.
But Emi… she was different. She didn't flinch. Her stance was protective, fearless, as if she were ready to shield her sisters herself.
Izumi whispered to herself.
"She is really like mom."
The wind blew fiercely, rattling the bar doors back and forth. Dust swirled in the air as Emi made her move.
She slid across the wooden floor, low and fast, aiming a sharp kick at the captain's stomach. He staggered back slightly, a smirk crossing his face."You are strong," he said, almost amused.
Emi didn't pause. With a smooth spin, she unleashed a roundhouse kick toward his head.
For a moment, time seemed to stretch — the wind howling, her hair flying, the sisters were watching.
The captain's head snapped to the side from the spinning kick, but he barely flinched. His dark cape slipped from his head, revealing more of his fearsome face.
Emi's heart pounded.
Then, in an instant, her body froze. Her eyes widened in recognition.
"You… you're Dreadclaw," she breathed, disbelief and rage flooding her voice.
Yuri and Izumi looked at each other, shocked. "What?" they said together, unable to process it.
Emi's anger ignited, brighter than before. Her voice trembled with fury. "You… you killed mother!"
Dreadclaw slowly removed the dark cloth from his face. A cruel, deliberate smile spread across his lips, as if savoring her fear and anger.
"Those eyes… the same as hers. How easily they catch me off guard."
Emi's eyes blazed with fury. She was ready to strike again, but before she could move, Dreadclaw's backhand slammed into her face. She flew back, crashing against the wall.
He point his gun at her again. Slowly, he pulled the trigger.
Izumi's voice cracked, trembling:"No… Emi!"
Emi's jaw tightened. Her vision blurred with rage and fear, but deep inside, a memory stirred — one she hadn't allowed herself to think of for years.
And just like that, the past came rushing back. The quiet village, their laughter, the warmth of their mother… and the terror that had stolen it all.
Flashback begins - Eleven years ago.
There was a beautiful town, filled with small buildings and stalls.
In this town lived a beautiful woman known as the beauty queen of the town. Every man in the town was in love with her. Her figure was curvy and alluring, drawing lingering glances whenever she walked by. She was stunning, with a presence that could silence a crowd, and an attitude only added to her charm. Despite her pride, she knew how to take care of her family.
She had three daughters - Hana Yuri, twelve years old; Hana izumi, ten; and Hana Emi was six. They were a happy family , living each day with laughter and warmth. The woman was a devoted mother, caring for her daughters with love and discipline. The sisters were inseparable, always smiling, playing, and looking out for each other.
One day, a few troublemakers cornered her at the streets.
"Look who's walking around like she owns the place," one spat, eyes dark with mockery. "Think you're too good for us, huh?"
Another stepped forward, voice low and dangerous.
"Bet you're just a spoiled princess hiding behind that pretty face. I wonder what happens when someone breaks that perfect little crown of yours."
A third cracked his knuckles with a cruel grin. "We could teach you a lesson about respect. Or maybe you like getting rough?"
She didn't even react to their words. They made the first move. Without a word, she moved faster than they expected — instant a fist strike to the throat, a brutal elbow to the jaw, and a savage kick that sent the leader crashing into a stall.
They hit the ground hard, coughing and gasping for breath, wide-eyed with shock.
She stood over them, chest rising with controlled fury.
"Try that again," she said coldly, "and you won't get up."
The woman walked away. But the troublemakers still led on the ground because of pain.
The afternoon sun spilled over the road, painting the rooftops in gold. Emi skipped ahead, her little sandals kicking up dust.
"Slow down, you'll trip," her mother called, smiling.
"I won't—!" Emi's foot caught a loose stone. She wobbled forward—
A firm hand caught her arm. "Careful," her mother said, brushing the dirt from Emi's dress.
The older sister snickered. "Told you. You're too clumsy."
Izumi smiled and laughed softly.
Emi puffed her cheeks, but her mother only laughed, placing a gentle hand on her head. They kept walking, the warm breeze carrying the scent of the sea.
But one day, a nightmare came to this town. A pirate ship appeared on the horizon. The pirates looked like as if devils were drawing near. They were the Dreadclaw pirates, infamous for their brutality. They traveled from town to town, demanding money. Those who couldn't pay were beaten without mercy… and sometimes killed. They had even burned an entire village. When its people couldn't meet their demands.
Their captain, Dreadclaw, had a bounty of 230 million scales. He was feared for his raw, brutal strength. His crew of seven — all men — were equally infamous for their violence.
When they arrived, the townspeople first thought they might be good pirates. After all, this town often welcomed friendly crews who brought joy and laughter. But the Dreadclaws were nothing like that. They were neither gentle nor kind.
The pirates began demanding money from the townspeople. Some handed over coins in fear; others simply didn't have enough. Those who couldn't pay were beaten brutally. People tried to run, but there was no escape. Screams echoed through the streets. Blood stained everywhere in the town.
"Please, leave my wife and kids! Don't hurt them!" cried one man.
But the pirates didn't care. They laughed as they struck down women and children alike, showing no sign of a heart. A few men stood up to them, but none stood a chance. They all got beaten up and robbed.
The woman spotted the pirates approaching from a distance. Her heart tightened, but her face stayed calm. Without a word, she led her three daughters to a hidden space — a narrow crawl under the old storage shed, just wide enough for them to see what was happening outside.
The mother knelt down, her eyes soft but full of determination. "This place will keep you safe," she whispered. "No matter what you hear… don't come out."
Yuri's voice trembled. "Mom… please be careful."
Izumi gripped Yuri's hand tightly. "We'll stay here. We promise."
The youngest, Emi, tilted her head, curiosity shining in her eyes. "Why…? What's happening?"
Her mother smiled gently, brushing Emi's hair back from her face. "Nothing, my love. Just stay here and be brave, like I know you are."
She glanced around at her daughters, her heart aching at the thought of what they might witness. There was no other choice. They had to survive, even if it meant she might not.
Heavy footsteps approached her home. The air smelled of smoke and sweat.
The three pirates swaggered toward her, grinning like hyenas.
Pirate 1 smirked, spitting on the ground. "Look at this one… acting tough. Bet she screams like the rest."
Pirate 2 chuckled, " It won't be took long for us to break her."
Pirate 3 added, "After we're done, she'll be begging."
She didn't flinch. Didn't move. Her eyes burned into them, cold and sharp, like blades ready to cut.
The first pirate lunged. She stepped aside in a flash, her leg whipping high — CRACK! — her heel smashed into his jaw. He hit the ground before he even knew what happened.
The second one roared and charged. She spun, her side kick slamming into his ribs with a dull thud. He staggered back, clutching his side, gasping for air.
The third one swung wildly, cursing. She ducked low, then drove her foot straight into his stomach — a front kick so hard it lifted him off the ground.
Pirate 1 groaned on the dirt. "Tch… this… witch…"
She stood in front of them, calm but ready, her stance steady, like she'd been fighting her whole life.
The air grew heavier as Dreadclaw was coming through the road. His boots crunched against the ground with slow, deliberate steps. The sunlight seemed to dim behind him, his shadow stretching long and sharp over the fallen pirates.
Even the roughest of them — men who had mocked her moments ago — went pale. Their laughter died in their throats.
And then he looked up. That single, cold glance was enough to make spines stiffen. It was the look of a man who had ended lives without hesitation… and would do it again before taking his next breath.
His gaze swept over the pirates, then lingered on the woman. With a voice as cold as steel, he said, "You've got fight in your eyes… makes it all the more fun to crush you."
The woman tightened her stance, feet firmly planted, eyes locked on the man before her.
She exploded forward, her heel snapping up in a clean, high kick aimed at his jaw — a perfect taekwondo strike. Dreadclaw leaned back just enough, the kick slicing past his face, and with terrifying speed, he caught her ankle mid-air.
With a twist, he sent her crashing into the dirt. She rolled, springing back to her feet, spinning with a roundhouse kick that slammed into his ribs.The impact made him grunt — but it was more amusement than pain.
"Not bad… for a warm-up."
He lunged. His clawed hand shot forward; she ducked, striking upward with a jumping kick to his chin. His head snapped back, and for a heartbeat, the pirates watching dared to think she might win.
Then he moved.
A heavy backhand from his metal claw slammed into her side, sending her sprawling. She coughed, blood flecking her lips, but stood again. She kicked low — his knee — then spun for another head strike. This time, he grabbed her leg and pulled hard, twisting it. A sharp crack made her gasp in pain.
Her scream tore through the air.
Dreadclaw didn't even slow. He grabbed her arm next, forcing it back until another crack shattered the moment. She dropped to her knees, trembling, but still glared at him through the pain.
"Still not kneeling? Good. I like that."
He pressed the muzzle of his pistol to her forehead. She didn't blink. Instead, she turned her head slightly — toward where her daughters hid — and mouthed the words softly.
"I love you."
The gunshot roared.
She stumbled back, then fell to the ground. Blood came out from her mouth as she lay there. Her eyes searched for only one thing before her last breath - the corners where her daughters hid.
And with that, her eyes slowly closed. She let out her one last breath.
The three girls crouched in their hiding spot, frozen in shock. Their eyes widened, hearts pounding so hard it felt like the walls were shaking.
Yuri's hand flew to her mouth to stifle a scream. Izumi's knees trembled, but she didn't cry — she just stared, wide-eyed, trying to make sense of what just happened.
Emi was going to scream but before she could scream, Izumi's hand shot up, pressing tightly against her mouth. Izumi's tears sliding silently down her cheeks.
Then, all three of them looked at each other. In that instant, they understood what their mother had just said. Her lips had formed the words — I love you — and somehow, without any sound, it had reached them.
A mixture of grief and resolve burned in their eyes. Fear was still there, but underneath it, a spark of determination ignited. Their mother was gone, but her love — and her strength — would stay with them forever.