The sea was calm at dawn, almost too calm. Kenji stood at the helm of the Triton, Son of Poseidon, his eyes narrowed at the horizon. Beside him, Sora leaned over the railing, humming softly as if talking with the sea itself.
"Papa," Sora said, breaking the silence, "the water feels… strange. Like it's warning us."
Kenji's brows furrowed. He had learned never to ignore Sora's instincts. "We'll keep an eye out. But sometimes, Sora, the sea tests us before rewarding us."
They had planned a full day's fishing in the deeper waters again, where yesterday's catch had proven so fruitful. But today, the sky wore a faint gray veil, clouds gathering far off.
Casting Nets in Uneasy Waters
By mid-morning, their nets yielded smaller fish than yesterday, though still enough to fill baskets. Sora tilted his head. "The sea is saving its strength… something big is coming."
Kenji grunted as he hauled in another half-full net. "Then we'll work quickly. The Triton is strong, but storms show no mercy."
Around noon, they struck luck again—a school of mackerel shimmered just beneath the surface. With teamwork, Kenji and Sora pulled in net after net until the deck gleamed with silver.
But the wind picked up, carrying the sharp scent of rain.
"Papa!" Sora pointed. "Look!"
The horizon was darkening rapidly, thunderheads swelling like giants. The calm sea of morning now rippled with warning waves.
Kenji's jaw tightened. "A storm. Hold on, Sora. We'll have to test the Triton's strength."
Battling the Storm
The storm struck fast and furious. Sheets of rain hammered down, waves crashing against the Triton. The sails groaned as wind tore at them.
Sora clung to the mast, eyes wide with both fear and awe. "Papa! The sea's angry!"
Kenji's voice roared over the gale. "No—the sea's reminding us who's in charge. But we won't bow so easily!"
He gripped the tiller, steering into the waves. The Triton rose and fell like a beast breathing beneath them. Water splashed across the deck, washing over their hard-earned catch.
Sora cried out, "We'll lose the fish!"
Kenji's hands ached, but his voice was firm. "Better to lose the catch than our lives. But if we trust each other… we might save both."
Together, they secured the nets, lashing them tightly to the deck. Sora's small hands worked quickly, his face pale but determined.
For what felt like hours, they fought the storm. At last, the sky broke open, sunlight piercing the clouds. The waves eased, leaving behind a battered but unbroken Triton.
Kenji collapsed onto the deck, drenched but alive. He looked at Sora, who was trembling but smiling.
"We… we did it," Sora whispered.
Kenji laughed, the sound hoarse. "Yes, Sora. The sea tested us… and we passed."
Homecoming
When they returned to Minato Village that evening, dragging a still-impressive catch, the villagers gasped at the sight of their storm-battered boat.
Ishikawa shook his head in disbelief. "You braved that storm? You're mad, Kenji. Mad or blessed."
Kenji only smiled faintly. "Maybe both."
Sora puffed his chest. "We didn't give up! The Triton is strong, and so is Papa!"
Aiko hugged them both tightly, her tears hidden in Kenji's soaked tunic. "Fools, the both of you. But brave fools."
Riku, watching from afar, scowled. "Lucky this time. Next time, the sea won't be so kind."
Income Record – Day's Haul
Multiple baskets of mackerel: +60 copper
Storm damage repairs to sails/ropes: -20 copper
Total income: +40 copper
Running balance: 429 copper
Kenji counted the coins late that night, his hands still sore from gripping the tiller. Though their gain was smaller, the storm had proven something greater—that he and Sora could weather anything together.
He glanced at the wooden box of savings and whispered:
"One day, this will become our house and farm… no storm can take that dream away."