When they reached the upper deck, the salty wind slammed into their faces, carrying the smell of smoke, steel, and blood. The EDEN warship loomed beside them like a floating fortress, its dark hull towering over Ato's ship. Standing calmly near the railing was the leader of the EDEN soldiers, his coat flowing as if the chaos around him meant nothing.
He glanced at Ato, Kojo, and Faramis, his eyes filled with boredom rather than fear.
Leader: "Oh? Just puny bandits."
He sighed and waved his hand dismissively.
Leader: "Natu, clear them out of my way. I'm going to my room."
Without waiting for a reply, the leader turned his back on them and walked inside the ship, completely unconcerned.
A moment later, the air shifted.
A swordsman launched himself from the EDEN ship, spinning through the air like a falling shadow. He landed hard on Ato's deck, wood splintering beneath his boots. His presence alone felt heavy, like the pressure before a storm.
Ato stared at him.
Ato: "Who the hell is this guy? Oi! You hear me, EDEN swordsman—why are you on our ship, huh?!"
The swordsman said nothing.
Black hair partially covered his eyes as he slowly raised his blade. Then, without warning, he attacked.
The blade flashed toward Ato's neck.
Ato didn't even flinch.
CLANG!
Kojo appeared in an instant, stopping the strike with his sword. Sparks exploded between the blades as steel screamed against steel.
Kojo smirked.
Kojo: "Tch… you sure picked the wrong ship."
He pushed the swordsman back, sliding his feet across the deck.
Kojo: "Oi, Ato. I'll deal with him. You go after that leader or thingy, okay?"
Ato cracked his knuckles.
Ato: "Alright. Don't die."
With that, Ato turned and sprinted at full speed toward the EDEN ship.
The soldiers lining the railings panicked when they saw him charging straight at them.
Soldier: "Why is he coming this way?!"
Before they could react, Ato jumped.
He soared through the air, crossing the gap between the ships like a cannonball.
Ato: "BEAST PUNCH!"
His fist slammed into the deck of the EDEN ship.
BOOOOM!
The explosion of force sent soldiers flying in every direction. Bodies crashed into walls, weapons scattered, and the deck cracked under the impact.
Smoke and dust filled the air.
One soldier staggered to his feet, trembling.
Soldier No. 226: "H-Half—no, more than half of the soldiers are down—!"
Before he could finish, Ato appeared right in front of him.
Ato: "Mada mada."
Ato pulled back his arm, shadows swirling around his fists.
Ato: "Black Bullet Gatling!"
A storm of punches erupted, each strike detonating like a cannon. The remaining soldiers were overwhelmed instantly, slammed into the deck, walls, and masts.
The entire ship was swallowed by dust and debris.
---
The scene shifted back to Kojo.
Kojo wiped a bit of blood from his lip and rolled his shoulders.
Kojo: "You sure are tough."
He suddenly lunged forward, forcing the swordsman back.
Kojo: "Faramis, stay behind me. And you—what's your name, blade guy?"
The swordsman finally spoke, his voice cold and sharp.
Natu: "Natu."
Kojo: "Natu, huh? Alright."
Natu attacked instantly, his blade slicing through the air. Kojo blocked again, sparks flying as the two exchanged rapid blows. Their swords clashed again and again, each strike heavy enough to shake the deck.
Kojo stepped forward and shouted—
Kojo: "Two Sword Style—Tiger's Wrath!"
He charged, unleashing a brutal cross slash.
Natu blocked with difficulty, his feet sliding backward.
Natu: "One Blade—Cutting Edge."
In a sudden burst of speed, Natu slipped past Kojo's guard.
A sharp pain exploded in Kojo's chest.
Moments later, blood spilled from Kojo's mouth.
Kojo laughed.
Kojo: "Heh… okay. Now I'm serious."
He slowly unsheathed his third sword, the air around him changing instantly.
Kojo: "I'm ending this quickly."
His eyes sharpened.
Kojo: "Dragon Hollow Slash!"
Kojo charged forward with terrifying speed. Natu blocked with all his strength.
Natu: "Shenon!"
A powerful force erupted, sending Kojo flying into the sky.
Kojo flipped midair, landing heavily but still standing.
He grinned.
Kojo: "Alright… now for my ultimate."
Kojo:"ONI-GASHI."
Before Natu could blink, Kojo vanished.
A sharp pain struck Natu's chest.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
Natu: "What…? How…?"
His legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground.
Kojo sheathed his swords.
Kojo: "You were strong. Just not strong enough."
---
The scene shifted back to Ato.
The EDEN ship was silent.
Ato kicked open door after door, searching for the leader. Every room was empty—until he reached one at the end of the hallway.
He opened it.
The leader sat calmly in a chair, a gun already aimed at Ato.
Leader: "I knew you would come."
He smirked.
Leader: "Goodbye—"
Before he could finish, Ato struck.
The attack exploded instantly, blasting the leader straight through the wall and sending him flying across the gap between ships.
He crashed hard onto Ato's ship.
Leader: "What… I couldn't even blink…"
His eyes rolled back as he collapsed.
Everyone relaxed, thinking it was finally over.
Then Faramis shouted.
Faramis: "Oi! Both of you—look there!"
They turned.
Another ship was approaching.
At the front of it stood a single man, arms crossed, his presence overwhelming.
????: "Some new pirates, I see."
Ato looked at Faramis.
Ato: "Oi, Faramis. Do you know who that guy is?"
Faramis swallowed.
Faramis: "That's the captain of the Soul Pirate Crew…"
He hesitated.
Faramis: "Aizawa Ryonen."
Ato and Kojo shouted at the same time—
"WHHHHHHAAAAAT?!"