The island appeared just before noon.
Larger than the last one.
Busier too.
—
Carina leaned over the railing.
"…Now this looks promising."
—
Kuina observed the harbor.
"…More ships."
—
Tashigi adjusted her glasses.
"…Trade activity is higher."
—
Kevin nodded.
"…More information."
—
Carina grinned.
"…And more food."
—
The ship docked smoothly.
No resistance.
No attention.
—
Just another arrival.
—
They stepped onto land together this time.
—
The town was louder.
Voices overlapping.
Footsteps constant.
Movement everywhere.
—
Carina stretched.
"…Okay, this is better."
—
Kuina glanced around.
"…Stay aware."
—
Carina waved her off.
"…Relax. Not everything is a fight."
—
Tashigi added calmly:
"…Awareness is not tension."
—
Carina sighed.
"…You two are impossible."
—
Kevin stepped forward.
"…We split. Regroup in two hours."
—
No objections.
—
They moved.
—
Carina disappeared into the market immediately.
—
Kuina walked toward the quieter side streets.
—
Tashigi followed the line of weapon shops again.
—
Kevin moved toward the center.
—
Where information gathered naturally.
—
A bar.
—
Not loud.
Not quiet.
—
Just full enough.
—
Kevin stepped inside.
Sat.
—
Listened.
—
"…—I'm telling you, the guy's insane—"
"…—not insane, just greedy—"
"…—same thing—"
—
Kevin didn't move.
—
"…Treasure's real though—"
"…—everyone says that—"
"…—and everyone disappears trying—"
—
A pause.
—
Kevin's eyes shifted slightly.
—
"…Who's got it now?"
"…—some pirate crew—what was the name—"
"…—Mad Treasure…"
—
Silence—just for a second.
—
Then noise returned.
—
Kevin stood.
Left without a word.
—
Elsewhere—
Carina was mid-negotiation.
"…No, that price is a crime."
—
The vendor crossed his arms.
"…Then don't buy it."
—
Carina smiled.
"…Or… you lower it."
—
Behind her—
two men were talking.
"…—heard about that girl?"
"…—which one?"
"…—the thief—"
—
Carina didn't turn.
But she listened.
—
"…—got caught—"
"…—serves her right—"
"…—not by Marines—"
"…—pirates—"
—
Carina's smile faded slightly.
—
"…—Mad Treasure crew, I think—"
—
A pause.
—
Carina placed the item down.
"…I'll come back later."
—
She walked away.
Slower now.
—
Elsewhere—
Tashigi stood inside a shop.
Eyes scanning blades.
—
Two customers spoke nearby.
"…—route's been dangerous lately—"
"…—because of them?"
"…—yeah, that treasure crew—"
—
Tashigi's gaze shifted slightly.
—
"…—they're gathering something—"
"…—or someone—"
—
Tashigi adjusted her glasses.
—
And left.
—
Kuina walked through a narrow street.
Quiet.
—
A voice from an open window—
"…—no one gets close to that crew and walks away—"
"…—unless they're useful—"
—
Kuina paused for a fraction of a second.
—
Then continued walking.
—
Time passed.
—
They regrouped near the harbor.
—
This time—
no one spoke immediately.
—
Carina broke first.
"…Okay. So."
—
Kuina looked at her.
—
Tashigi waited.
—
Kevin stood still.
—
Carina crossed her arms.
"…We all heard it, right?"
—
Kuina nodded once.
—
Tashigi answered:
"…Yes."
—
Kevin confirmed:
"…Mad Treasure."
—
Silence settled.
—
Carina frowned.
"…I don't like how that name sounds."
—
Kuina's expression stayed calm.
"…It's just a name."
—
Tashigi added:
"…But it appears frequently."
—
Kevin spoke quietly:
"…Too frequently."
—
A pause.
—
Carina tilted her head.
"…So what? We ignore it?"
—
No one answered immediately.
—
Then—
Kuina spoke:
"…We decide."
—
Tashigi nodded.
"…After confirming more."
—
Kevin looked toward the sea.
"…Information first."
—
Carina exhaled.
"…Good. No rushing into trouble."
—
A beat.
—
"…Yet," she added.
—
No one disagreed.
—
They stood there a moment longer.
—
The town moved behind them.
Unaware.
Unconcerned.
—
But now—
they carried something new.
—
Not danger.
—
Not urgency.
—
Just a name.
—
And the quiet understanding—
that names like that didn't spread without reason.
—
Kevin turned toward the ship.
"…We prepare."
—
Kuina followed.
—
Tashigi beside her.
Same timing.
—
Carina sighed.
"…Yeah… I knew this peaceful streak wouldn't last forever."
—
But she still smiled—
just slightly.
—
They returned to their ship.
—
The sea waited again.
—
And this time—
they were the ones choosing where to go next.
—
Not reacting.
—
Deciding.