The sloop moved more smoothly than it had any right to.
It wasn't the wind—that much Nami knew. The difference was the ship itself. Since they left Dead Ledger, the constant creaking had faded into something quieter, more controlled. The hull no longer complained with every wave. It cut through the water like it had finally remembered what it was built for.
Caelum was responsible for that.
Down in the hold, he adjusted a crate with his foot, locking it into place between two barrels. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his arm and took a slow breath.
He wasn't trying to "optimize" anything.
He just didn't like tripping over stuff.
Life on the island had taught him that much—if things weren't where they should be, you got hurt. Simple as that.
Above him, he could hear footsteps.
—Still reorganizing? —Carina's voice echoed as she leaned against the ladder, watching him with a half-smirk.
Caelum didn't even look at her.
—I'm making sure nothing flies across the room if we hit rough water.
—Sounds boring.
—It's not supposed to be fun.
Carina stepped down into the hold, glancing around. Everything had changed. The tools were hanging neatly, the food was stacked properly, and even her things—her things—were folded and placed in a corner.
She narrowed her eyes.
—You touched my stuff.
—It was on the floor.
—That's where I put it.
—That's not a place. That's gravity.
She stared at him for a second… then laughed.
—You're unbelievable.
Caelum finally looked at her, expression neutral.
—I'm practical.
—You're old.
—I'm twenty-seven.
—Exactly.
By the time he climbed back up to the deck, the sun was starting to dip lower in the sky.
Nami stood at the helm, focused, one hand on the wheel and the other resting near her staff. She didn't turn when she heard him approach.
—The sail's pulling too tight on the port side —Caelum said, casually.
Nami raised an eyebrow.
—Oh? And now you're a navigator too?
—I've been watching. If the wind picks up suddenly, it's going to strain the fabric.
She didn't answer right away. Just observed the sail… then clicked her tongue and adjusted the rope.
The tension eased instantly.
—…You're annoying.
—You're welcome.
Carina climbed up behind them, stretching.
—I vote we throw him overboard. He's starting to sound like he owns the ship.
Caelum leaned against the railing, arms crossed.
—I don't want the ship. I just don't want to drown because you two ignored something obvious.
—Relax, "responsible adult" —Carina said with a grin—. We've survived just fine without you.
—Barely —Nami muttered.
Carina gasped dramatically.
—Traitor.
Later, as they sat down to eat, the difference between them became even clearer.
Nami kept scanning the horizon between bites.
Carina was trying to flick a coin into Caelum's cup from across the deck.
Caelum just ate.
Quietly.
After a moment, Carina leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.
—You know… you're weird.
—That's not new.
—I mean it —she continued—. You've got this power—whatever it is—and instead of showing off, you're down there organizing boxes.
Caelum shrugged.
—Power doesn't mean much if you don't use it right.
—That's a very boring way to live.
—It's a very effective way to stay alive.
Nami let out a small laugh.
—He's got a point.
Carina rolled her eyes.
—You're both boring.
The mood shifted not long after.
It was subtle at first.
The wind cooled.
The sea darkened slightly.
Nami stood up straight, her posture tightening.
—…Caelum. Get up here.
He didn't argue. Just stood and walked over.
She pointed toward the northeast.
At first, he saw nothing.
Then—
A shape.
Far away, but wrong. Too large. Too deliberate.
A ship.
Carina stepped closer, her playful attitude gone.
—…That's not a merchant vessel.
Nami grabbed her spyglass, her expression hardening as she looked through it.
—No… it's worse.
She lowered it slowly.
—Mad Treasure.
Silence.
Caelum looked back at the distant silhouette, then at the two girls.
—They're not here by accident, are they?
Carina shook her head.
—No. They don't patrol randomly.
Nami tightened her grip on the wheel.
—They're searching.
Caelum exhaled slowly.
—Then we're part of the problem.
—You think they tracked us? —Carina asked.
—After what happened on their ship? Yeah. Probably.
Nami didn't waste another second. She turned the wheel sharply, adjusting their course.
—We're not fighting them. Not like this.
—Agreed.
—If the wind drops —she added, glancing at him— you're our backup plan.
Caelum nodded.
—I figured.
A few minutes later, things calmed just enough for the tension to loosen.
Just a little.
Caelum sat back down, staring at the horizon.
Then, almost absentmindedly, he muttered:
—I'm in a boat… with two thieves.
Carina immediately turned toward him.
—Excuse me? I prefer "treasure acquisition specialist."
Nami smirked slightly.
—I prefer "professional."
Caelum nodded slowly.
—Right. Two professional thieves.
—Better —Carina said proudly.
He leaned back, exhaling.
—Still sounds like a bad life decision.
Carina grinned.
—Too late. You're already involved.
Nami didn't look away from the horizon, but her voice softened just a fraction:
—You could've stayed behind.
Caelum thought about that for a second.
Then shook his head.
—No… I don't think I could have.
A small pause.
The sea stretched endlessly ahead.
The ship in the distance still lingered behind.
And for the first time in a long while, Caelum didn't feel like he was just surviving.
He was moving forward.
One wave at a time.