[Xefer's POV]
The Viser glided smoothly across the waves, its sails catching the morning wind. The crew had settled into their new home, laughter echoing through the halls. Kiruko had trained until exhaustion the night before, her fortress walls flickering into existence under the watchful eyes of Keala, Keeva, and Kunai. Now, the sea was calm, and Xefer sat at the edge of the deck, fishing rod in hand, his expression serene.
Keala appeared beside him, her flames flickering softly. "You're awfully relaxed for a man who's heading into dangerous waters."
Xefer smiled, his eyes still fixed on the sea. "The sea is always dangerous. But that's what makes it interesting."
Keeva joined them, her grin playful. "And you're not even a little worried?"
Xefer chuckled. "Worried? No. Excited? Maybe."
Kunai leaned against the mast, her blades gleaming. "He's always like this. Calm before the storm."
Kiruko stepped forward, her walls shimmering faintly. "I'll protect us if anything happens."
Xefer's expression softened as he looked at her. "I know you will."
---
[Xefer's POV — The Attack]
But calm never lasted long on the Grand Line.
A shadow appeared on the horizon — a Marine ship, its sails marked with the symbol of justice. Cannons lined its sides, Marines bustling across the deck, preparing for battle.
Keala's flames flickered faintly. "Marines."
Keeva's grin widened, her eyes sparkling. "Looks like trouble."
Kunai's crimson gaze narrowed, her blades strapped to her back. "They're coming for us."
Kiruko clutched her satchel, her walls shimmering nervously. "What do we do?"
The Marine ship drew closer, cannons aimed. A voice shouted across the waves: "Pirates! Surrender now, or face justice!"
Xefer didn't move. He reeled his line slightly, his grin faint. "Girls. Handle it."
Keala's flames blazed as she stepped forward. "With pleasure."
---
[Keala's POV]
The Marines fired. Cannonballs roared through the air, crashing toward The Viser.
Keala raised her hands, fire erupting from her palms. The flames met the cannonballs midair, exploding them in a shower of sparks and debris.
Keeva joined her, twin streams of fire twisting together, forming a blazing wall that incinerated the next volley before it could reach the ship.
Kunai leapt onto the railing, her blades flashing. With a single bound, she landed on the Marine ship, cutting through rifles and sabers with brutal precision.
On The Viser, Kiruko stood nervously, her satchel clutched tight. She raised her hands, fortress walls shimmering into existence, blocking stray shots that flew toward the deck. Her resolve burned, her power stabilizing with each use.
The battle raged. Marines shouted, their weapons clashing, but the girls moved like predators. Keala's flames consumed their cannons, Keeva's fire danced across the deck, scattering soldiers in panic. Kunai's blades cut through their ranks, her movements sharp and untouchable. Kiruko's walls shielded the crew, her power growing steadier with each attempt.
---
[Kiruko's POV]
Kiruko's heart pounded as she held her walls steady. Cannon fire exploded against her barriers, but they held — solid, unyielding. She felt a surge of pride, a sense of purpose she had never known before.
"You're doing great!" Keala shouted, her flames blazing.
Kiruko nodded, her focus sharpening. "I won't let them through!"
Keeva laughed, her fire dancing. "That's our fortress nurse!"
Kunai appeared beside her, her blades dripping with Marine blood. "You're stronger than you think."
Kiruko's walls shimmered brighter, her confidence growing.
---
[Xefer's POV]
Xefer watched the chaos unfold, his expression calm, almost bored. He reeled his fishing line, pulling up a fish. He looked at it briefly, then tossed it back into the sea.
"Good work," he said, his voice carrying across the deck.
The girls returned to The Viser, their spirits high. Kiruko's heart raced, her confidence growing. She had shielded them, protected them, stood with them.
Keala wiped sweat from her brow, her flames flickering faintly. "Too easy."
Keeva grinned, her fire still dancing at her fingertips. "They didn't stand a chance."
Kunai sheathed her blades, her aura calm. "Justice is fragile."
Kiruko lowered her hands, her walls fading. "We… we won."
---
[Xefer's POV]
Xefer stood at the prow, his grin sharp but his eyes soft as his wives gathered around him.
"You were magnificent," he said, his gaze sweeping across them. "All of you."
Keala's flames flickered warmly. "We couldn't have done it without Kiruko."
Kiruko blushed. "I just did what I could."
Xefer crossed to her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "That's all anyone can do. And you did more than enough."
Kiruko's eyes glistened. "Thank you."
Xefer pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "Always."
But then, a voice cut through the air. Deep, steady, filled with authority.
"What are kids like you doing on the sea?"
The crew froze. They turned, scanning the horizon. The voice had come from nowhere, yet everywhere.
Xefer's grin sharpened. He set his fishing rod aside, his eyes narrowing faintly. "Interesting."
Keala's flames flickered nervously. "Who was that?"
Keeva's grin faded. "I don't know."
Kunai's hand rested on her blade. "But they're watching us."
Kiruko clutched her satchel, her breath catching. "We're not alone."
Xefer's smile was calm, but his eyes gleamed with curiosity. "No. We're not."
The sea was calm, but the air was heavy. Whoever had spoken was near — and they were watching.
---
[Xefer's POV — Brief Luffy Cutaway]
Far away, in Shells Town, a boy with a straw hat was facing a Marine captain named Morgan.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy," he declared, his grin wide. "And I'm going to be the King of the Pirates!"
Morgan laughed. "You're a fool, boy."
Luffy's grin didn't waver. "We'll see about that."
---
[Xefer's POV]
Xefer stood at the prow, his eyes fixed on the horizon where the mysterious voice had come from. His wives gathered around him, their bodies tense, their eyes alert.
"Whoever it is," Xefer said quietly, "they're not a threat. Not yet."
Keala's flames flickered. "How can you be sure?"
Xefer's smile was soft. "Because if they wanted to harm us, they would have done it already."
Keeva raised an eyebrow. "So we just wait?"
Xefer nodded. "We wait. And we watch. And when they're ready to show themselves, we'll be ready to meet them."
Kunai sheathed her blades. "You always know what to do."
Xefer turned to her, his expression warm. "Not always. But I know we'll face it together."
---
[Author's Note]
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