The sea wind was sharp with salt and the promise of violence.
Jin leaned against the railing, watching the dark smear of a ship growing larger on the horizon. His lips curved in that half-amused, half-predatory smile he wore when boredom finally gave way to entertainment.
"Pirates already?" he drawled, more to himself than anyone. "I only just left the dock. And they send me a welcoming committee. Hells, how considerate."
Behind him, the nervous sailor nearly collapsed on the deck. His fingers trembled as he clutched the rail. "W-welcoming? Sir, they'll butcher us—"
His words collapsed into a groan of despair. 柱花… my poor柱花, I'll never see you again. Curse this damned job. Why did I follow this crab and his lunatic employers?
Jin didn't spare him another glance. The mercenary king had no patience for men who couldn't stand the smell of blood before it was even spilled.
From the shadows of the cabin, Tina emerged, arms folded, expression bored. Her long pink hair caught the sunlight as she squinted toward the enemy sails. "So. The first battle of our voyage. Pity I lost that little duel to Kuina earlier. I'd have liked to test myself on real flesh instead of straw dummies."
Kuina followed close behind, steps light, blood-red blade sheathed at her hip but her other hand casually twirling a plain katana. She didn't even glance at Jin as she strode to the prow. In one smooth motion, she planted the blade against the deck and leaned forward, eyes narrowing at the oncoming ship.
"Move aside," she said flatly, voice calm as steel. "This is mine."
She didn't ask. She simply decided.
Jin blinked, then barked a laugh. "Oi, oi—what happened to 'captain's privilege'? You're just stealing the stage?"
Kuina ignored him entirely. She bent down slightly, the ocean wind tugging at her long blue hair—tied back into a simple tail that whipped like a banner behind her. Her white gi and black hakama snapped with the breeze. For the first time, even the trembling sailor saw it: the aura of someone dangerous, someone honed to a blade's edge.
Tina shrugged and flopped back into her chair. "Fine by me. I'd rather watch."
The sailor was near tears now. He darted toward the giant crab at the helm. "Change course! Please, Crab-san! They'll slaughter us! Don't you care that I'm still—still a virgin?"
The crab drew slowly on his cigar and blew smoke into the poor man's face. "Pathetic. Your employers aren't even sweating. Why should I? Look—your Kuina-sama there is famous already."
The sailor blinked. "F-famous? She's just a girl!"
"Idiot," the crab sneered. "Think. Blue hair. Sword. How many bounty hunters in East Blue fit that description?"
The sailor frowned, brain struggling through the panic. Then it hit. His eyes went wide, his jaw slack. "I—Ice-Haired Sword Demon… Kuina?! That can't—"
But the crab only grinned wider.
…
On the enemy ship, laughter filled the deck. The pirates, once bandits of the mountains, now fat with months of unchecked plunder, jeered and sang about their next target.
"Windmill Village, eh? Fat little place, rich with taverns. We'll bleed them dry!"
Their leader, a scar-faced brute with rings in his ears, bared his yellow teeth. "When I was still a mountain wolf, I wanted that place. Not enough men then. Now? Now we'll rip it apart."
His crew roared approval, waving cutlasses and muskets.
Then the lookout froze, telescope slipping from his sweaty palms. His voice cracked. "C-captain! Ship ahead—it's her! The Ice-Haired Sword Demon!"
The laughter died.
"…What?"
The man snatched the scope back, peered. The color drained from his face.
There she was, plain as day: blue hair whipping in the wind, sword gleaming in the light. Waiting for them.
"It's true," he whispered. "Kuina… the bounty hunter who butchers scum like us. The demoness."
…
Back on the crab-ship, Jin finally gave a soft whistle. He stepped up behind Kuina, speaking just loud enough for her ears. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
She didn't answer. Her eyes were locked forward, her fingers caressing the hilt of her sword like a lover's cheek.
Jin smirked. "Fine. I'll let you have the first dance. But remember, Kuina—don't just kill. Terrify them. Make the name stick."
At last she spoke. "I don't care for names. Only the sword."
Yet he saw the flicker in her eyes—the thrill of being recognized, of her reputation blooming with blood.
The two ships closed.
A grappling hook soared. Planks slapped down, forming crude bridges. The pirates howled and charged.
Kuina moved.
One breath. That was all. She vanished forward, the wooden deck cracking beneath the force of her step. Steel flashed once—then again.
The first pirate fell with his throat cut. The second's musket shattered before he realized she'd drawn. The third… never even screamed as her blade traced a line from shoulder to hip.
The sailor watching nearly collapsed. She was beautiful—terrifying, graceful, like winter given flesh. Each movement crisp, efficient, merciless.
"Ice-Haired Sword Demon…" he whispered, awe drowning his fear.
On the enemy deck, panic spread. "It's really her!" "Don't fight—she'll carve us to ribbons!"
Their captain roared, drawing a massive cleaver. "Shut up! She's just one brat! I'll cut her in two!"
He leapt. Kuina met him head on.
Steel clashed. Sparks flew.
She slid back a pace, eyes narrowing. He was strong—stronger than the mountain trash she'd butchered before. His blade was heavy, his swings reckless but full of brute force.
"Die, demon!" he spat, cleaver descending.
Her lips curled faintly. Then she whispered her art.
"Tsuki—."
Her body spun, hair whipping like a comet's tail. The katana whistled, trailing crimson light. The arc met his cleaver and sheared it apart like rotten wood.
The man's eyes bulged as her blade carried through, carving across his chest. Blood burst in a crimson spray.
He fell.
The deck went silent.
Dozens of pirates stared in horror at their fallen captain. Then, as one, they broke. Screams filled the air as they dove for lifeboats, hurled themselves into the sea, abandoned everything to escape her gaze.
Only Kuina stood in the center, sword dripping red, hair gleaming ice-blue in the sunlight.
The Ice-Haired Sword Demon.
…
Later, the ship quiet again, Jin found her alone on the deck. She sat with her blade across her knees, wiping it clean. Sweat dampened her hair, strands clinging to her cheek.
He crouched before her, plucking the cloth from her fingers. Without a word, he dabbed the sweat from her brow, his thumb lingering just a moment too long against her skin.
Kuina blinked up at him, startled. For once, she didn't pull away.
"You were magnificent," Jin said softly. "But don't forget—you're not fighting alone anymore. You have me."
Her breath caught, lips parting—but then she looked away, cheeks faintly red. "…Idiot."
He chuckled, rose, and left her to her blade. The intimacy lingered like the scent of steel and blood—brief, sharp, undeniable.
And by the time the sun dipped low, word had already spread.
The Ice-Haired Sword Demon had taken her first prey upon the seas.
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T/N :
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