The sea changed again.
Not in weather.
In presence.
Kevin stood at the bow.
His gaze fixed ahead.
"…Ship approaching."
Carina straightened immediately.
"…Oh great. We're back to that again."
Kuina's hand moved instinctively to her sword.
"…Stronger than before."
Tashigi stepped closer.
"…I can feel it."
On the horizon—
A larger ship emerged.
Well-structured.
Not chaotic like earlier pirates.
A flag was visible.
A skull with crossed hooks.
Carina frowned.
"…Okay, that looks more organized. I don't like that."
Kevin replied calmly.
"…Named crew."
The ship closed distance.
And then—
A voice echoed through a loudspeaker.
"…We've found them."
Carina blinked.
"…We? Excuse me?"
The pirate ship aligned alongside them.
This time—
They did not rush blindly.
They waited.
A man stepped forward on their deck.
Tall.
Scarred.
Confident.
"…I heard there were swordswomen traveling together."
Kuina narrowed her eyes.
"…You are targeting us."
The man smiled.
"…Correct."
Carina sighed.
"…Why is it always us specifically…"
Kevin observed silently.
The pirate captain continued.
"…Especially the one who survived the sea attack."
His eyes landed on Tashigi.
Tashigi froze slightly.
"…So you're the rumor."
Carina muttered.
Tashigi stepped forward.
"…You attacked travelers?"
The pirate captain laughed.
"…We control this route."
Kuina stepped forward slightly.
"…You are in the way."
The captain's gaze shifted to her.
Then he smiled wider.
"…Two of them look alike."
Carina groaned.
"…Here we go again…"
Kevin spoke calmly.
"…Leave."
The captain tilted his head.
"…Or what?"
Kevin answered.
"…You will lose."
Silence.
Then the pirate captain laughed.
"…Confident kid."
He raised his hand.
"…Take them."
Boarding began.
Fast.
Coordinated.
Unlike before.
Carina stepped back immediately.
"…Okay, these ones actually look trained!"
Kuina moved first.
One attacker rushed her—
She countered instantly.
Clean strike.
One down.
Tashigi followed.
Blocking and redirecting.
Still slightly behind Kuina—
But holding.
Carina grabbed a nearby pole.
"…WHY AM I ALSO FIGHTING?!"
Kevin moved last.
Not rushing.
Not reacting.
Just stepping into position.
One pirate aimed at him—
Missed completely.
Kevin tapped his shoulder lightly.
The man collapsed instantly.
Carina blinked.
"…Okay that's still creepy."
The pirate captain narrowed his eyes.
"…That one is dangerous."
He stepped forward himself.
Kuina met him first.
Clash.
Stronger than before.
Tashigi moved in to assist—
But Kuina blocked her slightly.
"…Mine."
Tashigi paused.
Then stepped back.
Carina whispered.
"…She's competitive even mid-fight…"
Kuina and the captain exchanged blows.
Faster.
Heavier.
More serious.
But Kuina was adapting.
Fast.
Too fast.
The captain realized it.
"…You're learning mid-fight?"
Kuina replied.
"…Yes."
Final exchange—
Kuina broke his guard.
Knocked him down.
Silence.
The pirate crew froze.
Then slowly—
They retreated.
"…Fall back!"
Their ship began pulling away.
Carina collapsed slightly.
"…Okay… I officially hate strong pirates…"
Tashigi exhaled.
"…We survived."
Kuina lowered her sword.
"…Expected."
Kevin looked toward the retreating ship.
"…Information confirmed."
Carina groaned.
"…Can we ever just have a normal sea trip?"
Kevin replied calmly.
"…No."
That night—
The atmosphere onboard was different again.
The fight had changed something.
Not strength.
Not numbers.
Awareness.
Tashigi sat quietly near the edge.
Thinking.
More focused than before.
Kuina watched her.
Silent.
Still analyzing.
Carina sighed.
"…I feel like I'm the only normal person here…"
Kevin looked at the horizon.
And far beyond—
Something was moving closer.
Not pirates.
Not merchants.
Something structured.