As soon as Eli Winters stepped into the ship's lower deck, the stench of blood hit him like a wave. His eyes fell upon two fresh corpses sprawled across the wooden floorboards. One was large, the other heartbreakingly small. Their bodies were mutilated, limbs hacked away, faces slashed beyond recognition. It was grotesque, a scene of deliberate cruelty. The smaller body belonged to a child no older than six or seven.
"Bastards," Eli snarled through clenched teeth, his grip on his black blade tightening. In that moment, he wished he could kill the pirate captain all over again. Simply ending his life with a single cut had been far too merciful.
Turning away from the corpses, Eli scanned the rest of the hold. Row after row of iron cages filled the space. Inside, prisoners were crammed together: women of striking beauty, trembling children, and even two fishmen, their scaled arms bruised and bound.
Their condition was pitiful. Whip scars crossed many of their bodies, old blood dried against their skin. Yet their expressions were hollow, drained of hope. Even when they noticed Eli, there was no spark of life in their eyes only fear. Some shrank further into the corners of their cages, as if his presence might bring them more pain.
Eli forced down the murderous rage rising in his chest and exhaled slowly. When he spoke, his voice was calm, gentle, almost soothing.
"Listen to me. The Black Bear Pirates are gone. I killed them. You're free now."
But silence greeted his words. No cheering, no tears of relief. Only wide, frightened eyes. A few prisoners pressed themselves harder against the bars, shivering as though they expected him to strike them next.
Eli paused, frowning. Then, as realization dawned, he turned on his heel and disappeared up the stairs. Moments later, he returned, dragging the bloodied corpse of Captain Kumori, the beast of a man who had commanded this nightmare.
He raised his voice so all could hear.
"You think I'm lying? Then look for yourselves. This is Kumori's body. He's dead. You are no longer his property you are free!"
The moment their eyes confirmed the truth, the dam broke. Cries and sobs filled the hold, voices calling out: "It's over!" "That monster is dead!" "I can finally go home!"
Eli moved quickly from cage to cage, unlocking them one by one. As the prisoners stumbled out, many collapsed to their knees, bowing their heads and clutching his hands in gratitude.
"Thank you, savior! Thank you!"
Eli winced, uncomfortable with the weight of their worship. He pulled one woman gently to her feet.
"Stand up. All of you. I only happened to pass by at the right time. Now, come let's get you out of here."
By the time the captives climbed onto the deck, the battle above had already ended. Da Pan, the hulking panda warrior, leaned on his blackwood staff with a smug grin. The bodies of pirates were strewn across the deck. Of the hundred or so who had sailed with Kumori, more than half were dead, the rest whimpering with shattered bones and bleeding wounds.
The freed slaves froze at the sight, fear flashing in their eyes again yet this time it was mixed with exhilaration. Their tormentors, the men who had stolen their lives, were broken and destroyed before them.
Eli strode over. "Da Pan, are you hurt?"
His companion barked out a laugh. "Not a scratch, big brother. These fools were weak. Though…" He rubbed his chin. "One of them awakened Observation Haki. Almost caught me off guard."
Eli smirked. "But he didn't."
"Of course not." Da Pan waved a paw dismissively.
Then the panda pointed to the group of rescued captives huddled behind Eli. "Who are they?"
"They're slaves," Eli said grimly. "Or rather, they were. These pirates trafficked in human lives. These people were their merchandise."
The freed captives flinched at the word. Eli softened his tone and turned back to them.
"Do any of you know where we are right now? Which sea?"
A young woman, perhaps no older than seventeen, raised her hand timidly. "Sir… we're in the West Blue."
Eli's eyes brightened. "And do you know where the nearest island is?"
Most shook their heads. Locked in the dark hold since their capture, they had no idea how far the ship had sailed.
Then, a quiet, almost trembling voice rose.
"I know. If we keep sailing east at this ship's speed, we'll reach the island of Baruti Town the largest settlement in West Blue in two days."
Eli followed the voice to its source: a shy girl, barely fifteen, who peeked out from behind another young woman who looked nearly identical to her. Twins.
He smiled warmly. "And how would you know that, little one?"
The girl puffed up indignantly. "Little one? You look younger than me!" She pouted, then reluctantly explained. "We were captured on Qinghe Island. I overheard the pirates say they'd sell us to the nobles of the Bariha Kingdom. It's been seven days since then. At this ship's pace, we should be two days from Baruti."
Eli's grin widened. "Impressive. You studied navigation?"
The girl's eyes lit up despite herself. "I did! I used to serve as a navigator for our kingdom's merchant fleet." Pride flickered across her face, only to be swallowed by grief. Tears welled as she whispered, "But my parents… they were murdered by that traitor."
Her sister colder in demeanor, yet clearly protective pulled her into an embrace. Both trembled with sorrow.
Eli exhaled heavily, then barked orders. The two fishmen and Da Pan tossed the pirate corpses into the sea. The wounded survivors were chained in the very cages they had once used for their victims. Kumori's severed head, however, Eli kept. A pirate with a bounty this high was worth good money, and Eli's pockets were nearly empty.
The freed captives were given tasks some cleaned the bloodied deck, others cooked with whatever supplies they found. None were chefs, but even a simple meal would taste heavenly after days of hunger.
Later, Eli rummaged through Kumori's captain's quarters. To his surprise, the room was surprisingly neat. He unearthed a locked chest of jewels and gold, perhaps worth a small fortune, and a crumpled bounty poster.
"Four hundred and thirty million berries," Eli whistled low. "You were a big fish, weren't you, Kumori?"
But what excited him more was a folded chart an authentic sea map. Finally, his voyages would have direction. Still, a chart was useless without a skilled navigator. Fortunately, he had just met one.
He found the twin sisters on the deck, helping distribute food. Eli approached with a smile.
"May I know your names?"
The colder twin bowed her head slightly. "I am Fiona Delros. This is my younger sister, Felina Delros."
Eli introduced himself in turn. "Eli Winters. A traveler, an adventurer. And I have a proposition for you." He looked directly at Felina. "Join me. Become the navigator of my crew."
Felina's eyes lit up, but she turned to her sister hesitantly. Fiona frowned, then met Eli's gaze with sharp eyes. "Can I trust you, Mr. Winters?"
"You can," he said simply.
She nodded slowly. "Then take care of my sister. As for me I cannot join you. I have unfinished business."
Felina panicked. "No! If you're not going, I won't either. I want to stay with you!"
Fiona gripped her shoulders tightly. "You're too weak, Felina. I have someone I must kill. If you follow me, you'll only hold me back."
Eli stepped in gently. "Who is your enemy? Tell me. Maybe I can help."
Felina pleaded, "Yes, sister! Eli defeated Kumori. He can definitely help us!"
But Fiona shook her head. "Our enemy is the king of Augusta Kingdom. If you stand with us, you'll be hunted by the World Government. You'll lose your freedom."
Eli laughed softly. "A king? That's all? If you two are my companions, then his fate is sealed. Who said I need to kill him openly? With my abilities, I could erase him without leaving a trace."
For the first time, Fiona hesitated. Slowly, she told their story.
They were daughters of Augusta's commander of the royal guard. Fiona had trained in swordsmanship under their father, while Felina pursued her dream of the sea, learning navigation and sailing with merchant fleets. Their lives had been peaceful until the traitorous minister Gilbert betrayed the king, reported him to the World Government, and seized power as the new monarch. Their parents were executed for loyalty, and the sisters barely escaped, hunted across the seas until Kumori captured them.
Eli listened, anger smoldering in his chest. He placed a reassuring hand on Fiona's shoulder.
"Then it's settled. Da Pan and I will be your shield. When we reach Baruti Town, we'll secure a proper ship, and then your revenge begins."
Felina's eyes filled with hope for the first time since her capture. Even Fiona's stern mask cracked, if only slightly.
Eli stretched with a yawn. "Now come. Let's eat. I haven't had a real meal in weeks."
The twins exchanged a glance and, for the first time, giggled softly. This strange young man who had saved them this so-called adventurer was both terrifying and oddly endearing.
Perhaps, they thought, following him wouldn't be such a bad idea.
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