The sea returned to its steady rhythm.
After leaving the battered pirate ship behind, the waters stretched open and empty once more. Only the sound of wind filling the sail and the low creak of wood accompanied their movement northward. Morning had fully settled now, though North Blue's sunlight remained pale and distant compared to warmer seas.
The ship felt different.
Not dramatically.
Just… fuller.
Four sets of footsteps instead of three.
Four presences shifting across the deck.
Four fighters sharing the same forward path.
Aira adjusted the helm with quiet precision, guiding them along the Log Pose's steady direction. The needle had stabilized again after the night's detour, pointing them deeper into the colder waters where stronger pirates and darker rumors traveled freely.
Kenji sat near the mast sharpening one of his blades with slow, careful strokes. The rhythmic scrape of whetstone against steel filled the otherwise quiet deck.
Ryu leaned against the bow railing as usual, eyes forward, posture relaxed but attentive.
Soren sat cross-legged near the opposite side of the deck, rifle disassembled across a cloth as he cleaned each component methodically. Every motion was deliberate. Every adjustment exact.
For a while, no one spoke.
Then Kenji broke the silence.
"…So," he said without looking up. "We're officially four now."
Aira snorted softly. "You're only realizing this now?"
Kenji shrugged. "Feels different."
Ryu glanced back slightly. "Good different?"
"Yeah," Kenji replied. "Balanced."
Soren reassembled part of his rifle before speaking. "Smaller groups move faster. Larger groups apply more pressure."
Kenji grinned. "See? He gets it."
Aira leaned lightly against the helm railing. "We still need a cook eventually."
Kenji pointed his whetstone at her. "Yes. Someone competent. Preferably someone who won't poison us."
"You cook," she shot back.
"I said competent."
Ryu allowed a faint smile.
The banter settled into comfortable background noise as the ship continued cutting across the calm waters. Overhead, thin clouds drifted slowly across the pale sky. The air remained cold but stable—no storms on the immediate horizon.
Peace.
For now.
Then—
A distant flutter appeared above them.
Soren noticed first.
"News Coo," he said.
All four looked up.
A large seagull descended from the sky, wings cutting smoothly through the wind before landing on the railing near the mast. It adjusted its stance with professional confidence and extended a satchel expectantly.
Kenji tossed it a coin.
"Delivery service," he said.
The bird accepted payment and dropped a folded newspaper before taking off again without ceremony.
Aira stepped forward and picked it up first. "…Let's see what the world's doing."
She unfolded it and began scanning.
Then paused.
"…Oh."
Kenji immediately leaned over her shoulder. "What?"
Ryu turned slightly. "News?"
Aira handed the paper to him instead.
"Front page," she said quietly.
Ryu unfolded it fully.
The headline took up nearly half the page.
**WEAPONS CONVOY INTERCEPTED IN NORTH BLUE — UNKNOWN HUNTERS STRIKE AGAIN**
Kenji blinked. "Already?!"
Ryu skimmed quickly.
The article detailed:
* A weapons shipment leaving Brassfall disrupted
* Escort disabled with sniper support
* Multiple fighters neutralized
* Cargo partially seized
* Perpetrators unidentified but described as "young, highly coordinated hunters"
Kenji leaned in closer, grinning. "That's us."
Aira folded her arms. "We're getting noticed fast."
Ryu turned the page.
Another article caught his attention immediately.
Smaller headline.
But important.
**UNDERWORLD MOVEMENTS INCREASING — DOFLAMINGO NETWORK EXPANDS**
Soren looked up from his rifle slightly.
"…Read," he said.
Ryu did.
Reports mentioned:
* Growing black-market weapon demand
* Increased activity across multiple North Blue ports
* Rumors of a rising broker consolidating supply lines
* Several disrupted shipments in recent weeks
Kenji let out a low whistle. "We're stepping into someone's territory."
Aira frowned. "Not directly yet… but close."
Ryu folded the paper slowly.
"Good," he said.
Kenji laughed softly. "You say that about everything dangerous."
"Stronger enemies," Ryu replied calmly. "Stronger growth."
Soren watched him for a moment longer.
Then gave a faint nod.
Logical.
The wind shifted slightly, carrying colder air across the deck. The ship creaked gently as it cut through steady waves. For now, the sea remained calm—but beneath that calm, movement stirred.
News traveled.
Rumors spread.
And somewhere far across North Blue—
Powerful eyes would begin noticing a new pattern.
Aira leaned back against the helm again. "So what's the plan now?"
Kenji sheathed his blade and stretched. "We keep hunting."
Ryu looked out across the endless grey-blue horizon.
"Yeah," he said quietly. "We keep moving."
The ship sailed forward.
Four figures on its deck.
A growing reputation at their backs.
And ahead—
A sea that was starting to pay attention.
___