As the ship cut through the waves, Kyran stood at the helm, his weathered hands guiding the newly acquired vessel. Chloe, perched on the railing with Peony on her shoulder, swung her legs back and forth. Her gaze fixed on the endless expanse of ocean, curious of their next destination.
Chloe stole a glance at Kyran. Despite their eventful meeting a few days ago, she didn't know much about him. She didn't know how to speak with him, nor did she know what to speak about. It was a tough dilemma.
"Enjoying the view, Chloe?" Kyran finally broke the silence with a question, the suddenness of it made Chloe almost fall.
"I- yeah! It's pretty. It's so different from home… I never thought it would be this large."
"You got any goals?"
Chloe pondered for a bit. Goals were not the first thing she thought off when leaving the island, it was more along the lines of danger and the thrill of adventure. The more she thought about it, the less she seemed to know about what the future held for her.
"For me, I want to find my parents."
"Your parents…?"
"They left me alone for a long time. Alice and her mother took care of me instead." Kyran stated.
Chloe looked at her shoes. She had lived with her dad for so long that she may have taken it for granted. It was quite a shock to know that Kyran never had the type of care and love from his biological parents, something she could never imagine.
"I'm sorry…" Chloe began to speak.
"Don't worry about it. When I find them, I'm going to give them a piece of my mind, punch them, beat them up, then I'll hug them real tight." Kyran said with a faraway look to eyes. Chloe smiled, amused by the thought.
"I don't really know what I want to do right now." Chloe began again.
"I get it, it'll come to you eventually. I'm sure." Kyran reasoned, and Chloe just nodded.
"Oi! You two, come here for a second!" A familiar voice rang out from below, inside the ship's cabin. Kyran and Chloe looked at each other before nodding. Motioning her to go on ahead, Kyran stayed behind to stop the ship while Chloe raced down the stairs.
"Seems like we might be pirates now." Alice stated a matter-of-factly as she placed the newspaper she had recently been reading down, revealing the pictures of Kyran, Alice and Chloe individually.
On the newspaper read, 'Famous hunter of the South Blue: Taken down in cold blood!'
"WHAT?!" Chloe screamed out as she read the news, she kept on reading.
'Captain Popet, a rising star, landed upon Myth Isle of South Blue. Known for his reputable victories over large wildlife such as bears and wolves, he was ruthlessly taken down by three wannabe pirates. Pictured here is Popet after fighting for his life.'
"Apparently those hooligans we beat up, they were a legal organization allowed to hunt… whatever that means. Therefore, we're pirates on the run."
"But…! They were horrible people!" Chloe cried.
"I know, but the people won't see it like that with how the article was written but read on." Alice said pensively.
'The townspeople of Myth Isle refused to comment; however, the chief had only one thing, which was that the three hooligans fought on their behalf and saved them.'
"Dad!" Chloe shouted and smiled.
"Bounty posters?" Kyran stated as he leaned over Chloe to get a better look.
Kyran's picture showed him illuminated by fire from the Molotov's thrown during the altercation, his face grim. He was worth about 3,000,000m.
Alice's picture was of her smirking on the balcony of Myth Isle's tavern, Molotov in hand. Her bounty was 1,000,000m.
Chloe's bounty was of her standing next to Peony in all its majestic glory, a look of fierce determination on both of their faces. She had a bounty of 2,000,000m.
"2,000,000M?!" Chloe eyes popped out of her head as she fell backwards, Peony pecked at her worryingly.
"I don't know how I feel about us being pirates… It'll just make things harder." Alice sighed, if she had known that this would happen, she would have done it another way.
"Well, it might work out better this way…" Kyran trailed off and exited the cabin, confusing the two girls, Chloe picked herself up.
"What's wrong?" Chloe asked as she followed him outside the cabin.
"Hm." Alice stared at the two retreating figures, before turning her attention towards the wanted posters and the article.
Below the previous article and reveal of their wanted posters was another snippet. Kyran's wanted poster photo was front and center, accompanied with the words:
'POSSIBLE LINK BETWEEN HIM AND…'
CRACK!
The weather had taken a turn for the worst, the ship began to take heavy hits from the sea's waves.
"Kyran! The mast!"
"On it!" Kyran yelled out in response, before a familiar aura emitted from his body, augmenting his strength to another level. He pulled ropes from the mast, securing them tightly. Struggling to fully stabilize the mast, Chloe and Peony rushed to assist him, and with their added help, they managed.
Meanwhile, Alice scrambled to the helm, her hands gripped the wheel tightly while she wrestled with the ship. The storm made the ship toss and turn, threatening to pull them all under water. With determination etched on her face, Alice navigated the ship as best as she could, her focus on keeping them above water.
Minutes past, and the storm seemed to subside. The wind eased its ferocity and the waves calmed. With a sigh, all four of the crew collapsed on the deck. Alice was the first to speak up.
"That was tough… I'm surprised we're not underwater right now." Alice said, exhausted, "Thanks guys."
Kyran got up and sat cross legged. "Nah, it's all thanks to you. I wouldn't be able to steer like that ever."
"Yep! That was amazing Alice!" Chloe beamed a smile. Peony also chirped, sharing Chloe's sentiment.
"Aw… you guys are making me blush." Alice muttered sheepishly.
Sitting on the deck, they shared a moment of quiet reflection. Despite the challenges ahead, they knew that their quiet group was beginning to merge well. They were starting to become a team. Chloe smiled as she looked up at the mast…
"We need to change that design."
"Yep."
"Agreed."
The ship sailed into the port of another town. Kyran threw the anchor overboard and the crew got ready to disembark before Alice stopped them.
"Chloe, you might need to stay here. It might be dangerous. Peony is also a walking flag…"
"Don't worry! I can protect myself, plus check this out!" Alice puffed out her chest and gestured towards Peony. Peony looked up at Chloe curiously before its face lit up in recognition. Peony flew up and perched on her head, as it if was returning home. Curling into a small ball, Chloe placed her familiar big hat gently over Peony, completely concealing it. "How do you like them apples?!"
Kyran and Alice looked at each other in amusement.
"Thumbs up!" Kyran smiled while both gave her said gesture. Chloe blushed in embarrassment.
"Okay crew, we NEED three things. Sail, food, and a compass. Everything else takes second priority, okay?" Alice explained sternly, the other two nodded rapidly in response. She then gave both some Beli. "Okay, we'll split up and come back here. Kyran, you get the sail, Chloe the compass, and I'll get the other stuff."
The crew dispersed into the bustling port town. With Peony concealed under her hat, Chloe followed the flow of people, nervously glancing about for any signs of danger. Navigating through the crowded streets, Chloe kept a keen eye out for any shops or vendors selling the items she needed. The town was alive with activity, merchants hawking their wares, locals going about their daily lives, and sailors preparing for their individual voyages.
After a few more minutes, Chloe spotting a shop selling nautical supplies. She stepped into the establishment with a determined stride, the jingle of a bell announcing her arrival. Inside she found shelves lined with various equipment meant for sailors.
Approaching the counter, Chloe greeting the shopkeeper with a smile, "Excuse me… do you have any compasses?"
The shopkeeper gazed at Chloe, "Sure do, guaranteed to guide you in the right direction. Any you specifically looking for?"
"Um… can I see them?"
"Sure. Here you go." The shopkeeper crouched under the counter before rising to reveal a long box filled with compasses. The compasses all looked intricate with various designs, but only one stuck out to Chloe.
"My most expensive compass. Had it for a couple of years, people out here don't travel far out… so honestly it was a pain to get and even worse to sell." The shopkeeper sighed, before picking himself up and beginning his sales pitch, "I would suggest this one, as it-"
"I'll take it that one." Chloe pointed towards the one that stood out.
The shopkeeper blinked, surprised. "Are you sure?"
"Yes."
Alice sat on the ship's rail, her legs swinging. Ever so bored, she sighed and gazed out towards the port. Multiple sailors were going about their day, laughing at each other, and partaking in card games around a wooden crate. Quite typical for a day like this. Suddenly a familiar red hat entered her peripheral vision, and in came Chloe.
Nothing much had changed about Chloe in the minutes they were separated, except for the lavish watch on her wrist. Chloe continued to strut towards the ship, a grin plastered on her face.
"What's that?" Alice asked as soon as Chloe got close enough for her to hear.
"A compass!" Chloe exclaimed.
"Oh cool. How much?"
"Um…" Chloe whistled, trying to draw attention away from her. She placed her arms behind her back, looking as inconspicuous as possible.
"How much?" Alice reiterated.
"I… used all of it."
"WHAT?!"
Alice and Chloe both now sat on the ship's railing, legs swinging. Alice had a frown on her face while Chloe sat sulking. Turns out, the compass was a Log Pose. It was specifically for the Grand Line, a dangerous place in the middle of all the four seas, a kind sailor explained to them, but that was not the most important thing he told them… the most important thing was that the Log Pose was useless outside the Grand Line.
"Where is that idiot?" Alice sighed. Both Chloe and her waited around for a few more minutes past their agreed meeting time and the man of the ship had yet to show up.
"Maybe he's in trouble?" Chloe suggested, her hat wiggled.
Alice sighed again, "Knowing him, that's exactly right. Maybe we should go pick him up. Or maybe I should lecture you on proper shopping tactics."
"Please don't."
"I win!" Kyran raised his fists up in victory, looking around, it seemed he was in a shipyard. Accompanying him was a bunch of shirtless men with captain hats on, and Kyran donned the same outfit, hat, and all. In between him and another figure was a wooden crate, cards sprawled out on it's surface.
"You cheated, bastard!" A mustached captain yelled out; multiple captains jeered in agreement. Kyran paused and got angry at the supposed reason he won. The mustached man had a coat resting on his shoulders, his bare chest revealed. A grim scar adorned his right eye, giving him a hardy rough look. His pants were long and to his feet, while he had wooden shoes on.
"Nuh uh! I won fair and square. You're the bastard!"
"Oh yeah!?"
"Yeah!"
"Fists up then youngster!" The mustached man got up from his chair and crossed his arms.
"You asked for it you mustached weirdo!" Kyran followed suit.
A brawl had started between the unknown mustached captain and Kyran. The escalation of their battle had managed to interfere with multiple other games happening in the shipyard, causing others to get involved. Before long, every captain in the shipyard were fighting each other, kicking up dust and causing a ruckus.
As chaos continued to erupt, Kyran faced the mustached man that had started the brawl. Standing in front of him with arms crossed, the captain looked battle hardened. Kyran grit his teeth, preparing for a grueling battle ahead of him.
"Don't regret this." The captain charged at him, swinging a fist in his direction. Kyran dodged the swing and delivered a solid counter to his opponent, sending said opponent staggering backwards. The mustached man merely rubbed his chin, before looking at Kyran again. "Good punch."
The brawl had managed to get the attention of bemused townspeople, who watched on in curiosity and glee. Some walked past, as if the fight was a normal occurrence in the small port town. Suddenly, the sound of synchronized marching feet got closer and closer.
Kyran paused from his fight with the mustached man. Noticing the sound, the mustached man griped about the Marines coming in to ruin their fun. Kyran looked at the man in shock and asked if they were really coming.
"Yeah. Few of us are going to get a stern talking to…"
"Oh shit…"
Kyran stood up in alarm while the mustached captain got up and dusted himself. Looking at Kyran's concerned face, he placed his hand on Kyran's shoulder, gestured towards a tucked away sail and spoke, "There's a sail right there. Go ahead, take it."
Kyran looked at the man in shock. "Really? I can take it?"
"I get to know people with my fists," The man responded, "You don't seem like a bad man. Take it." The captain held his hand out, Kyran gripped his hand, and they had a firm shake. "Oh, and good luck… you'll need it."
Kyran ran towards the sail, picking it up and placing on his shoulder, he ran off. Waving towards the mustached man, captain hat still on his head, he began to disappear from sight.
The mustached man crossed his arms, a marine grunt from the approaching march came up to him and saluted.
"Gustus sir!"
"Hm."
"That was the recent pirate Kyran, sir! Was it wise to let him go?"
"Any of those hardy admirals would tell me to kill him now, but there's no fun in that. I let him go because I know he'll get stronger." Gustus turned away and started to shoo the remaining onlookers. "Go give chase, you'll make me look bad if you don't. I've already had enough lectures from those higherups."
"Yessir!"
As Kyran made his hasty retreat, he couldn't shake the feeling of disbelief at what had just transpired. The mustached captain's unexpected act of kindness had caught him off guard, leaving him confused and grateful at the same time.
Running through the streets of the port town, Kyran glanced over his shoulders and noticed the Marines giving chase. Curious onlookers gasped and ran away at the unfolding scene.
With the ship finally entering his view, he saw two familiar faces. It seemed like a one ended conversation. Alice spoke while Chloe hung her head. Mustering up all the air he could into his lungs, he yelled at them to get ready to leave.
Shocked at the loud noise, the two glanced at Kyran and the approaching Marines. Realizing the severity of the situation, both got to work, trying to get the ship to leave the harbour. The ship moved ever so slowly back out into sea. Kyran neared the end of the wooden harbour and chucked the sail towards the retreating ship, it landing on the deck.
Kyran crouched, his legs tensed and pulsed with energy, and then he released the energy, causing him to shoot towards the ship. As he flew, he looked back at the distant Marines, who were staring in disbelief at the distance he was covering.
Unlucky for Kyran, he did not make a soft landing, crashing through the deck of the ship and planting into the below compartment where he fell unconscious. Alice and Chloe poked their heads into the hole to see him shirtless and on top of his head… a captain's hat. Alice sighed while Chloe giggled.
On top of a hill overlooking the entire situation, Gustus watched as Kyran's ship disappeared into the horizon, a thoughtful expression on his face. A small chuckle escaped.
"Hm. I wonder what the future has in store." As the Marines dispersed and the chaos of the brawl subsided, Gustus turned his attention to the task of restoring the peace. Deep down, he couldn't wait to be back at sea, a chance to meet the up-and-coming youngster and his crew. But right now, he had to focus on making sure no one complained about him.
It was only a matter of time before they fought again.
Only a matter of time.