The sea stretched endlessly before them, calm yet whispering of the dangers that lurked ahead.
Kaito stood at the helm of the Queen's Grace, eyes narrowed against the sunlight. His fingers tapped the wooden wheel as the system's warning echoed in his mind.
[Estimated Time to Marine Encounter: 1 Day, 12 Hours.]
It wasn't a question of whether they would be found.
It was a certainty.
Marines patrolled these waters aggressively, and while Kaito's crew didn't carry the Jolly Roger, it wouldn't matter. A group of young, armed sailors in unfamiliar territory would attract suspicion.
They would be forced to fight.
And for many on his crew, this would be their first real battle at sea.
That night, Kaito gathered everyone on deck.
"We'll likely engage Marines soon," he began. "They won't hesitate to detain us. They won't listen to explanations."
Kuina leaned against the railing, her arms crossed. "Good. I've been waiting for a real fight."
Nojiko sat nearby, mending a sail, her expression calm. "We're fast, but not faster than marine cutters. We need to be ready to maneuver and fight."
Kaya's hands trembled slightly, but she forced herself to speak. "I… I've never fought anyone. But I can help with first aid. I won't be useless."
Kaito met her gaze and nodded. "Just stay safe. That's all I ask."
Carmen twirled a cooking knife in her hand, her grin sharp. "Let's make them taste defeat."
Kaito unfolded a crude map of the patrol routes he'd pieced together from dock rumors.
"The Marines often scout this stretch," he explained. "There's a narrow pass between two rock formations. They'll likely corner us there."
"Then we make our stand there," Kuina said firmly.
Kaito's jaw tightened. "We fight, but we also retreat. We don't have to win. We just have to survive."
[New Mission: Survive the Marine Encounter.]
[Optional Reward: Defeat the Marine Captain for bonus battle experience.]
They trained until dawn.
In the ship's training ground, time accelerated fivefold, allowing them to drill maneuvers, practice quick repairs, and spar under the weight of imagined battle.
Kaito's wooden sword danced with increasing precision.
Kuina's strikes became faster, sharper.
Nojiko mastered emergency sail adjustments.
Carmen trained in kitchen defense, using thrown pans and knives with startling accuracy.
Kaya studied first aid under simulated battle conditions, her hands growing steadier as she worked.
When the sun rose, they were as ready as they could be.
By midday, the Marine ship appeared on the horizon.
Sleek, armed, and bearing the unmistakable symbol of the World Government.
Kaito lowered his spyglass, his pulse steady. "They've seen us."
The Marine cutter rapidly closed the distance, faster than the Queen's Grace could outrun.
"They're signaling," Nojiko reported.
Kaito's lips pressed into a thin line. "They'll demand we surrender. They won't wait for an explanation."
The Marines fired a warning shot across the bow, the cannonball crashing into the sea just meters ahead.
"Battle stations!" Kaito called out.
Kuina took her position at the port side, sword drawn.
Nojiko gripped the wheel, ready to execute evasive maneuvers.
Carmen stood near the galley entrance, knives at the ready.
Kaya gathered her supplies, her breathing steady despite the rising panic.
The Marine ship drew alongside, grappling hooks biting into the Queen's Grace's railing.
A tall Marine captain in a white coat stepped forward, his saber glinting under the sun.
"You there!" he barked. "Lower your weapons and prepare to be boarded!"
Kaito stepped forward, his voice calm. "We're not pirates. We're simple sailors."
The captain sneered. "Sailors don't travel with armed swordswomen and evade Marine patrols. You will comply or face consequences."
His men prepared to cross the gap.
Kaito's grip tightened on his sword.
[System Notification: Battle Commenced – Defend the Ship.]
The Marines surged across the ropes.
"Kuina!" Kaito shouted.
She moved like lightning, her blade clashing with the first Marine's cutlass, disarming him in a single motion and sending him sprawling onto the deck.
Nojiko spun the wheel, angling the ship to prevent the Marines from fully surrounding them.
Carmen intercepted a boarding party near the galley entrance, her cooking knives flashing as she knocked weapons from their hands with precise, controlled strikes.
Kaito engaged two Marines at once, his wooden sword cracking against steel as he maneuvered them away from Kaya.
Kaya knelt beside a fallen crewman, treating a shallow wound with trembling but focused hands.
Kuina fought at the forefront, her blade a blur as she disarmed and incapacitated Marine after Marine. She didn't kill. Neither did Kaito.
They fought to defend, not to destroy.
But the Marine captain was skilled.
He pressed toward Kuina, his saber striking with disciplined precision.
"You're fast, girl," he said, forcing her back. "But I've faced real pirates."
Kaito intercepted the next strike, his wooden sword meeting the captain's saber with a jarring impact.
"Then you've never faced us," Kaito said, forcing the blade aside.
The captain's footwork was solid. His strikes were sharp. He was no fool.
But Kaito had trained for this.
He countered, driving the captain back with a combination of rapid strikes.
Kuina flanked him, adding pressure with synchronized attacks.
They fought as a unit, reading each other's movements with seamless trust.
Finally, Kaito found an opening.
His wooden sword crashed against the captain's saber, disarming him.
Kuina's blade pressed against the captain's throat in a single, decisive motion.
The remaining Marines hesitated, unsure whether to continue without their leader.
Kaito's voice rang out. "You can retreat. We don't want this fight. We just want our freedom."
The captain's jaw tightened, but he raised his hand. "Fall back."
The Marines withdrew, dragging their wounded back to their ship.
The grappling hooks were cut, and the Marine cutter pulled away, disappearing into the distance.
[System Notification: Mission Complete – Survived Marine Encounter.]
[Bonus: Marine Captain Defeated – Battle Experience Increased.]
The deck of the Queen's Grace was silent except for the sound of their heavy breathing.
Kaya rushed to tend to minor wounds, her hands steady now, her fear replaced by purpose.
Nojiko secured the sails, a rare smile tugging at her lips. "We did it."
Carmen wiped her cooking knife clean. "I told you I'd cook a victory meal."
Kuina sheathed her sword, her adrenaline slowly fading. "Not bad, Captain."
Kaito let out a slow breath, a quiet pride blooming in his chest.
They had survived.
Together.
That night, they celebrated with a proper feast—thanks to Carmen.
The scent of grilled fish, steaming rice, and freshly baked bread filled the air as the crew laughed, shared stories, and finally relaxed.
Kaito sat at the edge of the deck, watching the stars, a soft breeze brushing against his skin.
Kuina joined him, her legs dangling over the side.
"You're really set on this, huh?" she said. "Challenging Luffy. Sailing this path."
Kaito smiled faintly. "It's not about beating him. It's about sailing beside him. About proving to myself that I can build something, too."
Kuina looked up at the sky. "I don't care about titles or the Grand Line. I just don't want to lose this. This crew. This freedom."
"You won't," Kaito said. "Not while I'm standing."
She nudged him lightly. "You better keep that promise."
Below deck, Nojiko played a soft tune on a borrowed string instrument, Carmen taught Kaya how to properly season soup, and the quiet hum of the ship carried them toward the next horizon.
Kaito knew the seas ahead would grow rougher.
The Grand Line waited.
But for now, they had survived their baptism by the sea.
And that was enough.
For now.