As Marya walked with purpose, her amber eyes scanned the path ahead, her expression a mix of introspection and determination. She was on her way to the diner, a small but beloved establishment known for its spicy curry. As she reached the midpoint of the bridge, she noticed a familiar figure approaching from the opposite direction.
Vaughn strode with an easy confidence, his dark skin glowing in the twilight. His dreads were pulled back neatly, held in place by a crimson tie that matched the scarf draped around his neck. He lit up when he spotted Marya, and a grin spread across his face.
"Marya!" he called, his voice warm and welcoming. "Fancy running into you here. What brings you out this evening?"
Marya paused, her lips curling into a faint smile. "Dinner," she replied simply, her voice calm but laced with her usual air of quiet confidence. "The diner's curry is calling my name. And you? Shouldn't you be at the Founder's Festival planning meeting with Harper?"
Vaughn chuckled, shaking his head. "Harper's got it covered. You know how he is—meticulous, and absolutely in his element when it comes to planning events. I'm just the moral support. Besides, he kicked me out. Said I was 'distracting him with my rugged charm.'" He winked playfully.
Marya raised an eyebrow, already dissecting his words. "Distracting, or just getting in the way?" she teased, her tone dry but not unkind.
Vaughn laughed, a rich, hearty sound that echoed across the bridge. "A little of both, probably." They walked in silence for a moment before Vaughn sighed, his expression turning more serious. "I got chewed out today. Knox wasn't happy."
Marya raised an eyebrow, already piecing together the details. "Let me guess. The noble's mansion? The Vice Admiral? The Revolutionary Army? Or was it the pirate crew? Oh, wait—it was all of it, wasn't it?"
Vaughn groaned, running a hand over his face. "All of it. Knox went on and on about how we're supposed to maintain anonymity—no unnecessary destruction, no alliances with rebels, no picking fights with pirates. And then there's the Vice Admiral. Nanette was there too, and she didn't hold back either. Said I was setting a bad example for the team."
Marya snorted, her nostrils flaring. "Bad example? Please. We got the job done, didn't we? Charlie retrieved the relic, and no one's giving him enough credit for it. Besides, it's not like you planned for everything to go sideways."
Vaughn shot her a look, his dark eyes narrowing. "I was the team lead, Marya. It's my job to make sure things don't go sideways. And you—" He pointed at her, his tone firm but not unkind. "You were reckless. Taking on that Vice Admiral by yourself."
Marya crossed her arms, her assurance unwavering. "What was I supposed to do? Let the Navy take us?"
Vaughn sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "I know. But you can't make a habit of this, Marya. One of these days, your luck's going to run out. And I can't—" He paused, his voice softening. "I can't lose you. Not like that."
Marya's expression softened, her stubbornness giving way to something more reflective. She glanced at him, her piercing eyes searching his face. "You won't lose me, Vaughn. I'm not that easy to get rid of."
He chuckled, the tension easing between them. "We almost lost you this time. We were lucky. We may not be so lucky next time."
They walked in companionable silence for a while, the bridge stretching out before them. The city lights began to flicker on, casting a soft glow over the bridges. Marya glanced at Vaughn, her tone more serious now. "You know, you don't have to take all the blame. We're a team. We all made choices out there."
Vaughn nodded, his expression thoughtful. "I know. But as the team lead, it's my responsibility to make sure we're all on the same page. And sometimes that means taking the heat when things go wrong."
Marya's resolve hardened as she promised Vaughn, "I'll do better. I won't be reckless again, and I'll make sure not to cause trouble for the team. You can count on me to be more careful and responsible." Vaughn nodded, appreciating her determination.
*****
The is Red Force adrift in a sea of glassy calm. The ship bore the scars of the tempest—torn sails, a cracked mast, and a deck littered with debris. The crew moved with purpose, their faces etched with worry as they worked to secure what they could. The absence of Shanks and Yasopp hung heavy in the air, a silent reminder of the storm's toll.
Lucky Roux, his usual cheer replaced by a grim determination, stood near the bow, his hands gripping the railing. "We can't just sit here," he said, his voice tight with frustration. "Shanks and Yasopp are out there. We need to go after them!"
The crew murmured in agreement, their eyes filled with urgency. But, Beckman, the first mate, stood at the helm, scanning the horizon. His calm demeanor was unshaken, but there was a steely resolve in his gaze that silenced any dissent.
"We're not going anywhere until we get this ship repaired," Benn said, his voice firm and unwavering. "If we set out now, we'll be dead in the water. And that won't help Shanks or Yasopp."
Lucky Roux turned to face Benn, his frustration boiling over. "But what if they're hurt? What if they're—"
"Shanks is the strongest man I know," Benn interrupted, his voice cutting through the tension. "And Yasopp is a survivor. They'll make it through this. But we won't be any help to them if we don't get the Red Force back in shape."
The crew fell silent, their frustration warring with their trust in Benn's judgment. They knew he was right, but the thought of leaving their captain and sniper adrift was almost unbearable.
Benn stepped down from the helm, his presence commanding as he addressed the crew. "Our first priority is to find an island where we can make repairs. Once the ship is seaworthy, we'll search for Shanks and Yasopp. But we can't help them if we're stranded out here."
Before the crew could respond, a shout came from the crow's nest. "Ship on the horizon! It's the Navy!"
The crew froze, their eyes turning toward the horizon. A Marine warship was approaching, its sails billowing in the wind and its cannons gleaming in the sunlight. The sight sent a ripple of tension through the crew.
Benn's expression hardened, eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. "This complicates things," he muttered under his breath. He turned to the crew, his voice steady but urgent. "Prepare for battle, but don't engage unless necessary. We're in no condition to fight, but we can't let them board us."
The crew sprang into action, their training kicking in despite the ship's damaged state. Lucky Roux grabbed a nearby harpoon, his usual grin replaced by a fierce determination. "If they want a fight, we'll give them one," he said, his voice low and dangerous.
Benn returned to the helm, his mind racing. He knew they couldn't afford a confrontation—not with the Red Force in its current state. But he also knew the Navy wouldn't show mercy to a crew of pirates, especially one as notorious as the Red Hair Pirates.
*****
At a long, ornate table in the center of the library, Marya Zaleska sat her hair tied back into a messy bun, her eyes focused on the weathered poneglyph text before her. Nao Itsuki Makino stood over her, his dramatic gestures cutting through the air as he spoke. Wearing a tailored coat and silk cravat, he looked as if he belonged in a concert hall rather than a library.
His voice was sharp, carrying a tone of exasperation as he pointed at the text. "No, no, no, Marya! You're missing the nuance entirely. The glyphs here aren't just about the literal translation—they're layered with metaphor. How can you expect to understand the poneglyphs if you can't grasp the subtleties of their construction?" He sighed dramatically, running a hand through his perfectly coiffed hair. "Honestly, it's like trying to teach a cat to appreciate Beethoven."
Marya clenched her jaw, her fingers tightening around the edge of the table. She had only just been released from the infirmary, and her body still ached, but she refused to show weakness. "I am trying," she said through gritted teeth, her voice low but laced with frustration. "Maybe if you explained it instead of just criticizing, I'd get it faster."
Nao waved a hand dismissively, his expression one of exaggerated disappointment. "Trying isn't enough, Marya. You need to excel. Your mother would have understood this immediately. She had a natural brilliance, a—"
"Don't bring her into this," Marya snapped, her amber eyes flashing. She hated when he compared her to her mother, as if she were some pale imitation rather than her own person. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm. "Just... explain it again. I'll get it."
Himari Chinatsu Nomura, standing quietly beside Nao, giggled softly at his dramatic antics, her blue eyes sparkling with admiration. She was a striking contrast to Nao's flamboyance, her blonde hair catching the light as she placed a reassuring hand on Marya's shoulder. "You're doing well, Marya," she said softly, her voice warm and encouraging. "Nao-sensei is just... passionate about the subject. Let's break it down step by step, okay?" She glanced at Nao, her eyes lingering on him for a moment longer than necessary before she turned back to the text, her tone patient and kind.
Nao huffed, crossing his arms. "Passionate? I'm dedicated. There's a difference. But fine, if you insist on coddling her, Himari, we'll go slower. Again, Marya—start from the top."
Marya exhaled sharply, her pride warring with her determination to learn. She hated feeling like a novice, especially when it came to something as important as the poneglyphs. But she also knew she couldn't afford to let her frustration get the better of her. She leaned over the text again, her eyes tracing the intricate symbols as she forced herself to focus. "Alright," she muttered. "From the top."
As Nao launched into another lecture, his hands gesturing wildly as if conducting an invisible orchestra, Himari quietly adjusted the text to make it easier for Marya to follow. Her presence was a calming counterbalance to Nao's intensity, and Marya found herself grateful for the small kindness. Marya's resolve hardened as she worked, her mind slowly piecing together the puzzle of the glyphs. She would master this, no matter how many times Nao criticized her. She had to.
*****
As the Marine ship drew closer, a voice boomed across the water through a loudspeaker. "Red Hair Pirates! Stand down and prepare to be boarded! You are under arrest!"
Benn's jaw tightened, but his voice remained calm as he addressed the crew. "Hold your positions. Let's see if we can talk our way out of this."
The crew exchanged uneasy glances, but they trusted Benn's judgment. They stood ready, their weapons in hand, as the Marine ship pulled alongside the Red Force. A group of Marines stood on the deck, their rifles trained on the pirates.
Benn stepped forward, his eyes locking with the Marine captain's. "We're not looking for trouble," he said, his voice calm but firm. "We've just been through a storm, and we're in no condition to fight. Let us go, and there won't be any bloodshed."
The Marine captain sneered, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. "You're pirates. You don't get to make demands. Surrender now, or we'll sink your ship."
Benn's expression darkened, his patience wearing thin. "You don't want to do this," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "We may be damaged, but we're still the Red Hair Pirates. And we don't go down without a fight."
The tension between the two ships was tense, the air thick with the promise of violence. But before the situation could escalate, a shout came from the Marine ship's crow's nest. "Captain! There's another ship approaching—it's a pirate vessel!"
The Marine captain hesitated, his eyes darting toward the horizon. Benn seized the opportunity. "Looks like you've got bigger problems," he said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "I suggest you deal with them before you pick a fight you can't win."
The Marine captain glared at Benn, but he knew the first mate was right. With a frustrated growl, he barked orders to his crew, and the Marine ship turned away, heading toward the new threat.
The crew of the Red Force let out a collective breath, their tension easing slightly. Benn turned to his crew, filled with determination. "Let's not waste this chance. Find me an island, and fast. We've got a captain and a sniper to bring home."