The last chapter was a bit on the short side, so I've put together an extra-long one this time to make up for it! I hope you enjoy the ride! As always, your thoughts mean the world—comments and reviews really help me improve. Thank you so much for reading! I'd also love to hear your ideas for possible future crew members, Devil Fruits, or even potential love interests for Argento, as I haven't decided on that yet.
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The sun rose lazily over the horizon, painting the sea with streaks of gold and pink. The Mercurio 2.0 cut through the gentle waves with newfound grace, its hull gleaming and the crescent-moon-and-serpent flag snapping proudly in the wind. Argento leaned against the railing, silver fingers tapping the polished wood, watching the horizon like a predator sizing up prey. Veyra darted along the deck, checking lines, adjusting sails, and occasionally letting out triumphant shouts as she marveled at their handiwork. Even Ula, perched near the mast, grinned while scanning the sea, his hands flexing idly as though ready to strike or heal at a moment's notice.
"Feels different, doesn't it?" Veyra shouted over the wind, spinning in place with her arms wide. "The Mercurio… 2.0! She's alive!"
Argento's grin stretched wide, sharp and feral in the morning light. "GEHEHEHEH! Alive, yes, but she's more than that! Strong, fast, and clever! She's our ship now, Vice-Captain! And every wave out there is ours to ride!"
The trio had spent every last coin, every ounce of energy, and countless hours transforming the Corsair ship into something worthy of a proper crew. Every plank replaced, every rope tightened, every deckboard polished. The blue sail glimmered like a calm sea at dawn, ropes coiled in perfect symmetry, and the air smelled of tar, paint, and hope. Even Ula had contributed, using his Devil Fruit to redistribute fatigue and minor injuries from the exhausted siblings as they worked...
Veyra jumped onto a coil of rope, glaring at Ula with exaggerated frustration. "Big Brother Ula! Why are you so weak? Look at your body! I'm stronger than you, and I'm only ten! CICICICICICI!"
Ula laughed, a low, teasing sound that carried over the deck. "ULULULULULU… Weak? You really think strength is just muscles, little one? I may not look like much, but it's all about timing, precision, and knowing exactly when to use what I have. You've got raw power, sure, but I can make every move count more than a hundred of yours."
Argento smirked, silver fingers glinting in the sunlight. "Geheheh… you may be small, but don't underestimate him. Control and cleverness can beat raw strength every time."
Veyra crossed her arms, pouting but still grinning. "CICICICICI! We'll see about that! Just wait, Big Brother Ula! I'll be stronger than you before you even blink!"
Ula tilted his head, smirking. "ULULULULU… that's the spirit. Now, keep that fire, short stack. The sea won't wait, and neither will the fun."
Veyra, perched atop the mainmast like a tiny, hyperactive lookout, squinted into the distance. "CICICICICI! Nothing yet… but wait, wait! I think I see something shiny!"
"Shiny?" Argento asked, arching an eyebrow. "You mean… treasure?"
"No… seagulls. Definitely seagulls." Veyra's hand dropped to her hip. "Still counts as adventure!"
Ula, sprawled lazily on a coil of rope near the mast, groaned. "Adventure? This is literally just water. Water and more water. Exciting, right?"
"GEHEHEHEH… you'll thank me later when this 'boring water' turns into a wave of opportunity!" Argento called back, grinning like a shark who just smelled fear... or fish.
It didn't take long for the sea to remind them that the open ocean had its own sense of humor.
A sudden gust of wind caught the sails just a little too sharply, spinning the Mercurio 2.0 almost sideways. Veyra shrieked and grabbed the rigging, hair whipping across her face. "CICICICICI! Okay! Maybe a little more than 'adventure'!"
Argento dove toward the main ropes, silver fingers wrapping around a snapping line. "Geheheh… calm, Vice-Captain! The Mercurio is strong, we are strong!"
Ula, still lounging, muttered, "I swear, I'm going to vomit if you kids don't stop screaming."
But the chaos wasn't over. On the horizon, a small fishing boat appeared, bobbing innocently. Or at least, innocently until a crate fell overboard, splashing the fishermen, who cursed and waved wildly. Veyra gasped. "Treasure! Or enemies! Maybe both! CICICICICI!"
Argento sighed, shaking his head, though the corner of his mouth twitched with amusement. "Geheheh… probably neither. Just trouble waiting to happen. Still… fun!"
By midday, the open sea had thrown them more challenges than they had expected: rogue waves that sent Veyra flipping like a gymnast, a stubborn flock of seagulls insisting that the deck was their personal buffet, and Ula quietly transferring minor injuries from the siblings after they tumbled headfirst into one another.
"GEHEHEH… I love this part!" Argento shouted over the wind, silver fingers gripping the railing. "The sea's testing us, Vice-Captain! And we pass every test with style!"
Veyra landed with a triumphant flip on the deck. "CICICICICI! Bring it on, world! The Mercurio is ready for anything!"
Ula rolled his eyes, but even he couldn't suppress a small grin. "ULULULULULU… yeah, yeah. Let's just hope the sea doesn't throw actual pirates at us too soon."
Several Hours Later....
A sudden plop broke the morning calm.
Ula yelped and jumped, swiping at the back of his head. "ULULULU! What the?!"
Veyra doubled over in laughter atop the mast. "CICICICICI! Big Brother Ula! The sea is already marking you as its prey!"
Argento leaned against the railing, silver fingers tapping lightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Geheheheh… congratulations, Vice-Captain. That's officially your first maritime omen."
Ula groaned, brushing feathers and grit from his hair. "Maritime omen? That was a literal bird dropping! I'm not dying today, I swear!"
By the time he had cleaned up, the Mercurio 2.0 had entered a small cove where several fishing boats bobbed lazily in the waves. Nets hung from masts, and the smell of salted fish filled the air. Fishermen shouted to one another, hauling in modest catches, laughing, and occasionally tossing crates to one another with rough precision.
Veyra clapped her hands. "CICICICICI! People! Maybe treasure! Or rumors! Or more trouble! Yes! Yes, yes!"
Argento's grin sharpened. "Geheheh… all of the above is possible. Let's see what these fishermen know. Keep your eyes open, Vice-Captain."
Ula leaned against a coil of rope, still slightly irked from the bird incident. "I swear, this is going to be my life now… dodging bird attacks and taking care of these little maniacs."
The Mercurio 2.0 slid closer to the largest fishing vessel, the siblings' excitement practically vibrating across the deck. Nets tangled slightly as the tide shifted, Veyra darting between lines with practiced agility while Argento's silver fingers subtly reinforced weak planks along the rail.
"Hello there!" Veyra shouted cheerfully, waving wildly. "We're… uh… travelers! Yes! Just passing through! Tell us about this area! Rumors, fish, maybe hidden treasures? CICICICICI!"
The fishermen blinked at them, then exchanged glances, unsure whether to laugh, call the coast guard, or just ignore the small, chaotic crew that had landed on their cove.
Ula muttered under his breath, rubbing the back of his head. "If they don't throw us off their boats, it'll be a miracle. But… maybe we can get something useful out of this."
The fishermen stared at the trio for a long moment, blinking like they weren't quite sure if these tiny strangers were serious or completely insane. Then the oldest one, a sunburned man with a patchy beard and a hat three sizes too big, leaned over the rail of his boat.
"Well… if it isn't a group of kids and… uh…" He squinted at Argento. "…a weird silver fellow? You're far from the mainland. What brings you here?"
Veyra bounced on the deck, almost vibrating with excitement. "CICICICICI! We're adventurers! Pirates! Uh… not real pirates yet, but soon! Tell us! Rumors! Treasure! Ship deals! Secrets!"
Argento's grin stretched, silver fingers tapping the deck. "Geheheh… yes, yes. Anything you know about the islands nearby, hidden coves, or foolish crews with ships ripe for the taking."
The fishermen exchanged nervous glances. One of the younger men scratched his head. "Uh… well… there might be some treasure on Isla Lobo… but it's cursed! People say ghosts guard it!"
Veyra's eyes lit up. "CICICICICI! Ghosts! Treasure! Let's go right now!"
Argento shook his head, suppressing a laugh. "Geheheh… patience, Vice-Captain. Ghosts or not, it's just a rumor. Keep your ears open."
The bearded man chuckled, pointing vaguely toward the horizon. "If you want something real… there's talk of a small smuggler gang up near Punta Roja. Not much, but they carry goods from the mainland. Fools all of them, if you ask me."
Ula leaned lazily over the railing, rubbing his head. "Hmm… small gang, foolish, carries goods… sounds almost like you're describing yourselves, short stack."
Veyra shot him a glare. "CICICICICI! I am not foolish!"
Argento doubled over laughing. "Geheheh… you look foolish, Vice-Captain! But yes, the information could be useful. Punta Roja, you said? Keep that in mind. Could be worth a visit."
Another fisherman piped up, waving a greasy hand. "And… uh… beware the Singing Reef. Ships go in, never come out. Legend says it hums and drives captains mad."
Veyra clapped her hands over her ears, jumping up and down. "CICICICICI! Singing reefs! Fools, ghosts… this is the best day ever! We'll fight it all! Right, Captain?"
Argento smirked, shaking his head but his eyes glinting with excitement. "Geheheh… yes, Vice-Captain. Every rumor, every danger..."
Ula leaned lazily against the railing, arms crossed, eyes narrowing at the horizon as the Mercurio 2.0 cut through the calm waves. "ULULULU… you two are idiots," he muttered, shaking his head.
Veyra stopped mid-spin, glaring up at him. "CICICICICI! Me? Idiot? You're the one who..."
"Don't argue," Ula interrupted, holding up a hand. "Listen carefully. Ghosts? Singing reefs? Isla Lobo? Ha! Every other rumor out there? Total nonsense. Waste of time. If we go chasing every stupid story these fishermen spit out, we'll be lucky to survive a week without getting lost or eaten by seagulls."
Argento's grin faltered slightly, though he still twirled a finger in the sunlight. "Geheheh… really, Ula? You want to ignore half the possible treasure out there?"
Ula tilted his head, smirking. "I want to stay alive and actually get somewhere useful. The only places worth checking first are Punta Roja... the small smuggler gang...
and the so-called Ghost Area. Everything else? Noise. Distraction. And if either of you gets possessed by some cursed treasure while I'm patching your asses up… I'm done with this crew. Done."
Veyra huffed, pouting but still bouncing in place. "CICICICICI! Fine… only Punta Roja and the ghost thing. But only because Ula said so. Don't think I'm happy about it!"
With a synchronized nod, the trio scrambled down the side of the fishing boats, landing nimbly on the Mercurio 2.0's polished deck. Veyra bounced with barely-contained excitement, her tiny fists pumping the air. "CICICICICI! Punta Roja, here we come! Ghosts… we'll deal with you later!"
Argento's silver fingers flexed along the railing, glinting in the sun. "Geheheh… steady, Vice-Captain. We can't just crash in like lunatics… well, maybe just a little lunatic."
Ula shook his head, brushing imaginary dust from his sleeve. "ULULULU… 'A little lunatic' is exactly how you two nearly drowned last week. Focus. Punta Roja first. Ghosts are optional, for now."
The Mercurio 2.0 sliced through the waves with newfound speed, sails taut and humming in the wind. The water around the hull sparkled like scattered diamonds, and seagulls darted overhead, seemingly curious about the gleaming ship and its chaotic crew. Argento and Veyra leaned over the railing, eyes scanning the distant horizon, spotting the faint outlines of Punta Roja, a cluster of ramshackle docks, warehouses painted in faded red, and a few suspicious-looking ships bobbing lazily in the harbor.
"Geheheh… there she is," Argento murmured, fingers tapping the wood like a conductor preparing an orchestra. "Time to see if these fools are worth stealing from… or if we just have fun scaring them first."
Veyra bounced on her toes. "CICICICICI! Fun first! Then treasure! Then more fun! And maybe treasure again!"
Ula groaned but allowed a small smirk. "ULULULU… honestly, you two are exactly why I'm here. Fine. Let's make this quick. Observe, plan, strike… and don't get yourselves killed."
Argento's grin went sharp as a blade, eyes alight with the kind of trouble that tasted like victory. "Geheheh… we're not here for polite greetings," he said, voice low and hungry. He leaned closer to the rail, watching the ramshackle warehouses and the careless figures moving about the docks. "We take all their valuables, we leave nothing useful behind, and anyone who stands in our way won't be breathing when we leave."
Veyra whooped, hopping in place until she nearly toppled the nearest crate. "CICICICICI! Kill them all? YES! Take their money, their food, their hats... especially the hats... and then dance on their heads! I've been waiting for a proper fight!" Her grin was bright, violent, and utterly delighted; the tiny fox expected chaos the way most people expect breakfast.
Ula's smile didn't reach his eyes. He folded his arms, tone clipped and practical. "ULULULU… kill them all, huh? Fine. If that's what it takes. But we do this clean. No stupid heroics. I'll handle the pain and the takedowns; you two make sure you don't get sentimental. If anyone's to die tonight, it'll be quick. I'm not patching up idiots who got themselves butchered for show."
Argento glanced once Ula and then at Veyra, measuring the two of them. "Also... no pointless slaughter of innocents. Smugglers, guards who fight back, yeah. Fishermen and families? Not worth it."
Ula barked a laugh that was half-exultation, half promise.
Argento's silver fingers flexed, glinting like knives in the dying sunlight. "Geheheh… perfect. Then we move at dusk. Shadows, silence, precision. Punta Roja won't know what hit them."
Veyra bounced on her toes, practically vibrating with excitement. "CICICICICI! Shadows, silence… and then CHAOS! I love it! Who gets the first hat? I do, right? I pick first!"
Ula rolled his eyes, running a hand through his hair. "ULULULU… hats are optional. Surviving is mandatory. Stick to the plan. Observe, strike, vanish. Don't let your egos get shot off before you even reach the docks."
The trio huddled near the edge of the Mercurio 2.0, scanning the docks with predatory focus. Argento's eyes flicked from crate to crate, calculating escape routes and loot potential. Veyra, meanwhile, was already imagining herself somersaulting from barrel to barrel, pocketing coins and flipping smugglers into the water.
Argento's voice snapped through the hushed planning like a knife. "Screw this," he hissed, stepping forward so the moonlight picked out the silver on his knuckles. "Just kill them all. If they're in the port, they're smugglers or conspirators anyway." His grin went hard and predatory. "No mercy. Quick and clean."
Veyra's eyes lit up like twin bonfires. "CICICICICI! Finally... proper chaos!" she whispered, bouncing on the balls of her feet. Ula's face didn't change much... amusement warred with a flat, clinical calm. He spread his hands. "ULULULU… you asked for blood, you'll get efficiency. But we do this fast and quiet. Stick to targets that fight back. I don't waste my power on innocents or theatrics."
They moved like a single shadow. Under the pier's rotten planks and between stacked crates, Argento led: silent, compact, his metallic fingers barely glinting as he used short, efficient strikes, Liquid Fist snaps to throats and wrists, a Silver Flow to snag weapons away, a quick Mercury Shield to take the surprise blow from a patrolling guard. Veyra was a blurring streak: Rtut Dash to close the gap, Phantom Strike to drop a man before he could shout, Fox Tail Sweep to topple anyone who tried to reach the alarm bell. Ula flowed behind them like a quiet surgeon of pain; a touch to a temple sent a Pain Pulse through a sentinel and he crumpled as if struck, another hand on a stubborn lookout and Ula siphoned enough vitality to keep Argento steady when a hidden blade nicked him.
It wasn't graceful. It wasn't clean in any romantic sense... boots slipped on wet planks, a crate toppled and sent a dog yelping, someone cursed and was silenced... but it was fast and merciless. Where men resisted, Argento's Elastic Slash and rapid Liquid Fist combos cut the space between them; where numbers swarmed, Ula's Pain Shackles and Life Tap tore coordination from their limbs until they collapsed moaning, clutching phantom hurts. Veyra danced through the chaos, lifting purses and slinging blades from stunned hands, laughing like it was play until a dagger grazed her calf and she hissed, sharp and furious. For a heartbeat the tide threatened to turn: a burly guard broke formation and lunged for Argento's back. Argento barely formed a Mercury Shield in time; the blow jarred him, pain flaring, but he drove the attacker into the rail with a brutal, non-lethal shove and the man slid, unconscious.
When it was over the docks lay in ragged silence. The smugglers who'd resisted lay still or moaned on the planks; those who'd tried to flee had been cut off at the waterline or tripped into the mud. No gore, no drawn-out agony... deaths and crippling blows were described, not displayed. Ula checked the living quickly and coldly, siphoning small, deliberate vitals to patch the worst of Argento's and Veyra's cuts; Vital Exchange where needed, a brief, ugly accounting of life for life. Argento moved through fallen bodies with an almost ceremonial thoroughness, looting purses, prying open crates with quick, greedy fingers. Veyra danced among the spoil, crowing triumphantly over a salvaged hat that she promptly claimed as her prize.
Argento's grin widened as he kicked open the first crate, silver fingers glinting. "Geheheh… look at this! Everything we can carry, Vice-Captain!"
The Mercurio 2.0's deck groaned under the weight of the haul, but the siblings didn't care. Every crate had been stripped bare, and among the chaos were chests of coins gleaming piles of gold, silver, and copper along with stacks of bills, notes, and even rare foreign currency. Veyra's eyes nearly popped out of her head as she counted a few of the smaller piles.
"CICICICICI! This… this is… easily worth fifty million berries!" she shrieked, throwing her arms around a particularly large chest as if hugging it could absorb its value. "We're rich! Rich! RICH!"
Argento's grin sharpened, teeth glinting in the sunlight. "Geheheh… fifty million berries, Vice-Captain. That's enough to buy a small navy, a castle, and still have enough leftover to bribe half the islands nearby." He tapped the nearest chest with silver fingers, listening to the satisfying metallic clink of coins. "And all of it… ours."
Veyra's face went white, the coins in her arms suddenly heavy as anchors. "Did we just take their livelihoods… all their treasure?" she blurted, voice cracking. "They're basically poor now… we've robbed them and now they'll all die, CICICICICICICI!" Her breath hitched, and for the first time since the day began she looked small and hollow, the hat forgotten at her feet.
Argento's grin faded, the silver at his knuckles paling as he stared down at the chests. For a half-beat he was simply a boy with a dangerous smile, then the edge came back as if it were a shield. "Geheheh… we hit smugglers, Veyra," he said, voice low and trying for steel. "They weren't honest fishermen. They were moving cargo... goods, coin, things that feed black markets. That's different." But even as he said it his fingers didn't stop sorting, and a flicker of doubt marred the feral amusement in his eyes.