Orimo murmured, staring at the endless ocean glowing beneath the moon.
"…Okay then."
The sea stretched before him.
Dark.
Silent.
Waiting.
Then — a soft presence behind him.
A girl stepped forward, her voice low, calm.
"Orimo Kuzan… I was waiting for you."
Orimo turned slowly.
"…What?"
She smiled faintly.
"I'm Rae Winters. Let me join your crew."
Orimo narrowed his eyes.
"Who are you… and how did you know I would return?"
She lowered her voice to a whisper.
"I didn't know you'd return. I just… waited."
She looked into his eyes.
"I always wanted to join your crew. So… will you let me?"
Orimo exhaled quietly.
"Okay… come on in."
Her eyes widened — then she laughed happily.
"Hurray!!"
Orimo rubbed his forehead.
"…What a headache."
He turned toward the horizon.
A pirate ship drifted in through the silver moonlight, its sails catching the glow of the night sea.
Orimo lifted his hand and pointed.
Slash.
A violent wave of cutting force erupted from his fingers —
The air screamed —
Blood sprayed —
And every figure aboard the ship fell in silence.
Rae's eyes widened.
"…What the—?"
Orimo grabbed her arm.
"Grab tight."
She hesitated.
Then held on.
Boom!
He launched into the sky, the wind exploding around them, and crashed down onto the pirate ship with a heavy thud.
The deck cracked under the impact.
Moonlight washed over the bloodstained wood.
Orimo looked out at the endless sea.
"We are finally here…"
he murmured.