Raven Hill looked peaceful from a distance—quiet homes, crooked chimneys, fog rolling between rooftops like tired spirits. But peace shattered the moment the bank's alarm bells screamed through the town.
By the time I was back on the Phoenix ship, the chaos had already begun.
Word spread fast.
"The bank's been robbed!"
"Two million berries gone!"
"There's a pirate ship at the port!"
It didn't take long before the Marines swarmed Raven Hill's harbor, rifles raised, shouting commands. Paul returned with supplies slung over his shoulder, Nezuka at his side, both staring at the unfolding madness.
Nezuka hissed, "Why are Marines here?!"
Kami pointed toward the town, panic in her voice. "They're blaming us!"
Paul didn't waste a second. "Raise the anchor! Move—NOW!"
The Phoenix Pirates sprang into action. Cannons roared, ropes slashed through the air, sails unfurled like wings tearing out of a cage. Marines fired round after round, bullets ripping past the ship.
But Phoenix Pirates weren't ordinary.
With a violent surge, the ship broke free from the port, smashing through wooden barriers. Raven Hill grew smaller and smaller until the town was nothing but a shadow swallowed by fog.
Only then did the interrogation begin.
Paul slammed his fist on the deck beside me. "How did you take two million berries?! Who are you?!"
I shrugged calmly. "I told you. I'm just a burglar."
Nezuka stepped closer, eyes narrowing. "Then give us your history."
I took a deep breath and delivered the lamest story possible. "I… stole things. Small things. Then bigger things. Then, uh… very big things."
Rinnegan glared. "Liar."
I sighed dramatically. "Fine. If you want the truth…"
I spread my hands.
"I used to be the king of this world. Four hundred years ago."
Silence.
Then Nezuka burst into laughter. Rinnegan stared at me like I'd grown two heads. Kami facepalmed. Even Ayesha tried to hide a smile.
Paul, however, froze.
Because he had heard that legend before. Something old. Something forbidden.
But he said nothing.
"Put him in the lower room," Paul ordered. "Tie him. We'll sort him out once everyone rests."
So they dragged me into a dim cabin—bare walls, a single lantern, ropes binding my wrists. Not the first time I'd been tied up. Not the worst, either.
Hours passed. The ship rocked gently, whispering against the ocean. Footsteps faded as the crew settled into their quarters.
Then the door creaked open.
Softly.
Quietly.
Kami stepped in.
Her face flushed, breath uneven, eyes fixed on me like she'd been holding back more than suspicion.
I raised an eyebrow. "Couldn't sleep?"
She knelt beside me, fingers brushing my cheek. "You're reckless… stupid… impossible."
"And you like that?"
She didn't answer with words.
Kami leaned in, her lips pressing against mine—slow, warm, trembling with something she tried to hide all day. The kiss lingered, filled with confusion, danger, and something like desire.
When she pulled back, her voice cracked.
"I know you're not a burglar. Or a king. But whatever you are… I can't ignore it."
The lantern flickered.
The ropes tightened around my wrists.
And the night around us grew darker, heavier—
Because this was only the beginning.