Deck of the Pseudo-Merry, Fore Cabin
Kouta stood silently at the bow, his gaze fixed where the sea met the sky.
It was the warmest, brightest time of day. The seamless blue above and below shimmered with a clarity that defied description.
Now and then, a few playful fish broke the surface, leaping with effortless grace.
Each splash caught the morning light filtering through a thin veil of mist, gleaming like translucent sapphires in a wash of cool hues.
But no matter how beautiful the view, Kouta's thoughts were far away.
Creak.
Creak.
Creak.
The sound of footsteps pressing down on the wooden steps reached him.
He lowered the cup in his hand and turned, only to see Kuina ascending the ladder. A flicker of admiration lit up his eyes.
Fresh from her morning training and just out of the shower, her deep navy-blue hair shimmered like the ocean—sleek, radiant, and full of cold luster.
She approached him with a comb in hand, her voice soft and steady.
"Kouta, would you brush my hair?"
The affection in his eyes was unmistakable. She saw it—and in that moment, knew every effort had been worth it.
Ever since she learned he liked kimono, she wore nothing else.
Ever since he told her he liked long hair, she let hers grow, even though both were impractical for a warrior.
But she didn't care. She loved him that much.
She had shaped herself into everything Kouta loved.
Kouta took the comb. As she knelt before him, her back to him, he began gently brushing her smooth, silken hair.
Of course he noticed all the ways she had changed for him. The depth of her devotion… he could only repay with a lifetime of his own.
After smoothing her hair, he picked up a red silk ribbon, tying her hair into a ponytail with practiced care. He cupped her face in his hands and gave a satisfied nod.
"All done, Kuina."
She stood, twirled in front of him like a pink butterfly fluttering with joy. Her beauty, her playfulness—she reserved it all for him alone.
Kouta reached out and pulled her into his arms.
Cradling her soft body, he breathed in the faint scent of her shampoo, mingled with her own unique fragrance, and whispered deeply:
"Kuina, in two years, when you're eighteen... let's get married."
Startled, she looked up at him. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and then tears began to fall—one by one—onto his chest.
All this time, she had thought he was waiting for her to confess. She never imagined he'd speak first.
Kouta smiled. His grin rippled across his face like water stirred in a spring.
He gently wiped her tears with his fingers and teased,
"What's this? You don't want to?"
She shook her head furiously.
"I do! Of course I do!"
How could she not?
"Hahahahaha…"
Kouta laughed uncontrollably, her reaction so cute he couldn't help himself.
Last life, he didn't even have a girlfriend. This life, he had a fiancée at seventeen.
It felt amazing.
Didn't it?
Hearing his laughter, Kuina buried her face against his chest, her cheeks burning red as she lightly pounded his chest with her fists.
She stayed there quietly, listening to the strong, steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
For the first time ever, she felt utterly safe.
Kouta smiled down at her, eyes full of warmth. After all these years together, he had always thought of Kuina as a little sister.
But as this "little sister" grew up, becoming more dependent on him, and eventually, falling in love with him—how could he stay indifferent?
She had changed so much for him. How could he not fall for such a beautiful, radiant girl?
(Not that he was into little girls, or some kind of "raise-your-own-wife" guy!)
He ran his fingers through her satin-smooth hair, then looked up at the sky with a newfound sense of resolve.
This promise made him stronger and more mature.
Sailing, as it turned out, wasn't all adventure.
Three days had passed since they set out to sea. The first two had been exciting, full of novelty and discovery.
But even the most breathtaking views grow dull with repetition.
All around, there was nothing but endless ocean. No ships. No islands. Just blue.
No wonder pirates loved throwing parties. It was boredom more than celebration.
At sea, if you weren't training, you were basically sun-drying into salted fish.
Kouta sat at the bow, fishing rod in hand, staring blankly into the water.
"Didn't manga make fishing look easy?"
Why wasn't he catching anything?
Clearly, manga lied.
Sigh…
Kuina walked over with two glasses of cola, catching his sigh.
"What's wrong?"
"It's been three days. We haven't seen a single ship."
Wasn't this supposed to be the Age of Great Piracy?
Weren't pirates supposed to be everywhere?
Why hadn't they run into any?
Was the East Blue just that vast? Or were all the pirate ships just really lucky?
He took the cola she handed him, swirling it a bit.
Ding, ding, ding !
The ice clinked against the glass, a crisp, pleasant sound.
He raised the cup and took a huge gulp.
The cold cola hit his stomach like a chill wave. He burped, then exhaled a puff of cool air.
"Ahh, refreshing."
Kuina smiled at him, a soft, glowing smile, like morning light brushing the horizon.
She took the glass from his hand and set it on the side table.
"Don't worry. It's only been three days. We should be reaching the Baratie sea restaurant soon."
She licked her lips, then added,
"They say it's home to the best chef in all the East Blue."
"Little glutton."
Kouta gently tapped her on the head.
Kuina pouted and held her head, her misty eyes glaring up at him.
"Hmph! Like you don't want to eat there?"
Kouta gulped, turning back toward the sea.
"I'm just interested in the concept of a restaurant on the sea. It's not like I'm curious about the food or anything."
He nodded solemnly.
"Yup. That's it exactly."
Seeing through him, Kuina didn't argue. Instead, she pulled his hand into hers and leaned into his side, quietly keeping him company as he fished.
Ever since their engagement, she had grown gentler, more playful.
Even Ah Hua and the others joked she must've been possessed.
After all, it was the first time she had smiled at them.
Now, they barely dared show their faces—afraid something might happen to them next.
"Hmm?"
Suddenly, Kouta's fishing rod bent hard. The line went taut.
"Is that… a bite?"
Kuina quickly let go and rushed to the side, leaning over the railing to peer into the sea.
Kouta gripped the rod with both hands and yanked.
The water near the boat erupted, sending waves rocking the ship.
A massive shadow burst upward, rising along the fishing line, then crashing down as gravity reclaimed it.
The water peeled back to reveal a monstrous figure—green and gold scales gleaming, jaws wide, razor-sharp teeth bared, and crimson eyes glaring coldly at Kouta.
Standing in its shadow, Kouta looked up at the enormous sea monster.
"You… You're the Lord of the Coast."
He dropped the rod, stroked his chin, and spoke earnestly:
"I wonder if you know the one outside Windmill Village? That beast actually bit off Red-Hair's arm. True story. It's probably still bragging about it to this day."
He raised his right hand, eyes gleaming with theatrical intensity.
"Come on, then! I'll bet my arm on the East Blue!"
The Sea King didn't understand a word, but from the kid's expression… it felt deeply insulted.
It hesitated then lunged down like a falling meteor.
Boom!
It felt like it had crashed into steel. Stars exploded in its vision.
Dazed, it shook its head and looked down at its broken tooth lying on the deck—utterly bewildered.
Just moments ago, it had been strolling through the sea with its girlfriend.
Then out of nowhere, a hook landed in its mouth. It thought, "So what? I'm huge. No way someone's reeling me in."
But then… it got dragged out of the water.
And now its coolest tooth was gone.
Who was it supposed to complain to?
"Kouta! Enough fooling around—starboard, three o'clock! We've spotted a ship!"
Alo's voice rang from the crow's nest above.
"Where? Where?"
Ah Hua burst out of the kitchen, knife in hand, eyes gleaming as he peered over the rail.
They weren't even paying attention to the Sea King. A new ship, especially a pirate ship was far more exciting.
"Mmm…"
Kouta's eyes flashed red. He focused.
A ship. A big one. Much larger than theirs.
He looked up at the Sea King and apologized.
"Sorry, can't play anymore. Time to send you off."
Sensing danger, the Sea King began retreating—but it was already too late.
Just as Kouta finished speaking, a piercing sound split the air.
Zing!
A silver arc flashed through the sky, slicing clean through the monster's neck and vanishing into the clouds.
Clang!
Kuina sheathed her blade in a single smooth motion.
She had drawn her sword the moment Kouta spoke.
Boom!
The Sea King's massive head plunged into the sea. It bobbed once… twice… then slowly sank.
Through the glittering waves, its eyes still glimmered with sorrow—and bitterness.
Its lower half remained afloat, oblivious to its own decapitation, as thick, fishy-smelling blood gushed upward from the wound.
Then the wind blew, and finally, even its stubborn body slumped backward—
Boom!
Sending up a splash even bigger than its entrance.
*********
Hey everyone! I'll be dropping an extra 1 chapter once we hit 100, 200, 300 power stones! If you're enjoying the story, don't forget to spend some power stones. I'd really appreciate the support. Thanks a bunch!