A ship drifted unevenly across the cold North Blue waters.
Even from a distance, it looked wrong.
Its main sail hung partially torn, patched clumsily with mismatched cloth. One side of the hull bore visible scorch marks as if struck by cannon fire or some form of explosive. The mast leaned slightly off true, creaking under strain each time the wind shifted.
A pirate vessel.
But not a victorious one.
Aira adjusted the helm gradually, guiding their ship into a wide interception arc rather than a direct approach. She kept the sail angle modest, allowing them to close distance without appearing aggressive from afar.
"Still moving," she murmured. "Barely."
Kenji stood near the bow railing, one hand resting loosely on a sword hilt as he studied the other ship with open curiosity.
"…Looks like someone already hit them," he said.
"Or something did," Aira replied.
Ryu said nothing.
He stood at the forward edge of the deck, eyes steady on the damaged vessel. Observation Haki brushed outward lightly—not in a full pulse, just enough to feel for immediate hostility.
Faint presences.
Multiple.
But scattered.
Disorganized.
Soren moved quietly to the port side of the deck and lifted his rifle, not aiming yet but positioning himself for a clear line of sight if needed. His gaze tracked movement along the distant deck with clinical patience.
"…Crew still active," he said. "Low energy."
Kenji grinned faintly. "Wounded pirates are still pirates."
"Careful," Ryu replied.
They closed distance slowly.
As the gap narrowed, more details emerged.
Figures moved across the damaged ship's deck, but not with readiness. Some leaned against railings. Others sat slumped near the mast. A few carried weapons, but loosely—more for comfort than immediate use.
Exhaustion hung over them like fog.
When the first of them finally noticed the approaching vessel, there was no immediate battle cry. No rush to arms.
Just tired awareness.
One pirate lifted his head and stared across the water.
"…Ship," he called weakly.
Others followed his gaze.
The two vessels drifted within clear visual range.
Ryu raised one hand—not in greeting, not in threat. Just enough to signal controlled presence rather than surprise attack.
Kenji leaned on the railing beside him, casual but alert. Aira kept the ship steady, ready to maneuver at the first sign of hostility. Soren remained positioned slightly behind, rifle angled downward but prepared.
On the damaged ship, a man stepped forward.
He moved with effort rather than confidence.
Tall but gaunt. Beard unkempt. Coat torn along one shoulder. A bandage wrapped across his torso beneath partially open fabric stained with dried blood. A cutlass hung at his side, but he didn't reach for it.
He stopped near the edge of his deck and looked across the water at them.
"…Hunters?" he called.
Kenji raised a brow. "Straight to it."
Ryu answered calmly. "Yes."
A faint, tired laugh drifted back across the water.
"Figures," the man muttered.
He rested one hand on the railing, steadying himself. Behind him, his crew remained scattered—some watching warily, others too exhausted to care.
Aira lowered her voice slightly. "…They're in bad shape."
"Recently fought," Soren observed. "Heavy losses."
Kenji tilted his head. "So what now?"
Ryu remained silent for a moment longer, studying the situation.
Then he spoke across the gap.
"What happened?"
The pirate captain gave a dry smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"North Blue happened."
Kenji snorted softly.
The man continued.
"Ran into something bigger than us. Faster too." He coughed once, wincing slightly as it pulled at his injuries. "Lost half the crew. Most of our supplies. Ship barely holding together."
His gaze moved between them calmly.
"No point pretending we can fight you," he said. "Not like this."
Honest.
Direct.
North Blue again.
Aira shifted slightly at the helm. "What's your bounty?"
The man chuckled faintly. "Thirty-two million."
Kenji whistled. "Decent."
"Was," the captain corrected. "Not sure we're worth that anymore."
Silence stretched briefly between the two ships.
The sea rolled gently beneath them, cold wind brushing across both decks.
Ryu watched the man carefully.
Not every pirate was the same.
He knew that.
He and Kenji had killed many already—on their first island, in later hunts. They did not spare those who preyed on the weak or destroyed lives for sport. They did not hesitate when facing true monsters.
But this…
This was different.
A broken crew.
Barely afloat.
Already punished by the sea.
Kenji glanced sideways at him, reading his thoughts without needing words.
"…Your call," he said quietly.
Aira said nothing, but her eyes remained on Ryu as well.
Soren watched silently.
Ryu stepped forward slightly and rested both hands on the railing.
"Your crimes?" he called across.
The captain met his gaze.
A pause.
Then—
"Smuggling," he said.
"Protection jobs."
"Fought other pirates more than civilians."
Another cough.
"…Not innocent," he added. "But not monsters either."
Honest again.
The wind moved between them.
For a moment, the only sound was the creak of damaged wood and distant waves.
Kenji exhaled slowly.
"…North Blue's going to be interesting," he muttered.
Ryu straightened.
Decision made.
He reached into his pouch and pulled out a small sealed packet—basic medical supplies they'd taken from Brassfall's convoy.
Then he tossed it lightly across the gap.
The pirate captain caught it with visible surprise.
Inside: bandages. Antiseptic. Basic pain relief.
Not charity.
Not friendship.
Just… balance.
"Leave this route," Ryu said calmly. "Head east. There's a smaller port two days from here. You'll make it if you move carefully."
The captain stared at the supplies in his hand for a moment.
Then looked back up.
"…You're strange hunters," he said.
Kenji grinned. "We get that a lot."
The man gave a faint nod.
"…Next time we meet," he said quietly, "we won't be this broken."
Ryu met his gaze evenly. "Good."
Aira adjusted the helm gently.
Their ship began to move again, passing the damaged pirate vessel without further confrontation.
Soren watched the other crew until distance grew.
Kenji stretched his arms behind his head. "Didn't kill them."
"No need," Ryu replied.
Aira exhaled softly. "That felt… right."
The sea opened ahead once more.
Cold. Vast. Waiting.
Behind them, a broken pirate crew drifted toward survival.
Ahead—
Stronger prey awaited.
And the four hunters sailed on.
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