The stolen Marine vessel moved fast across the blue water. Ellias and Kuro stood on the deck, and the island of Syrup Village now looked close. The trip had been quiet and direct.
Ellias looked untouched by the journey, his coat perfect. He leaned back against the railing. "Mr. Kuro," he began, his voice calm.
"Before we reach the land, I must know what happened to your former organization. When you chose to join my crew, what became of your meticulously crafted plan involving the Black Cat Pirates?"
Kuro kept his hands on the wheel. "The Black Cat Pirates are set to meet near this coast," he explained. "They expected my return in two days to stage my death. My plan was to dismiss them immediately when I arrived. I need to be anonymous, not have my old associates around."
"Perfect," Ellias noted. "A messy past should always be handled quickly."
Ellias used his Limitless Sight. He saw a group of faint energy signatures near a rocky shore—the Black Cat Pirates.
"It seems your former associates arrived early, Mr. Kuro," Ellias told him. "They are gathered in the inlet. We will pay them an immediate visit."
Soon, the small Marine ship was hidden near the coast. Ellias and Kuro walked to the inlet.
There, waiting by the rocks, were the remaining Black Cat Pirates, led by the hypnotist, Jango. He was clearly nervous. Jango looked up, saw Kuro, and stopped when he saw Ellias. He was shocked.
"Kuro! Why are you here already? And who is the... the gentleman?" Jango whispered, his hair bouncing. "Are we starting the plan early?"
Kuro stepped forward, his face hard. "Jango, this is Ellias Vane, my new Captain. Your old orders have been replaced."
Jango's jaw dropped. "Replaced? What do you mean 'ends'? You said—"
"I've decided to disband the Black Cat Pirates," Kuro said sharply. "The retirement is canceled."
The pirates started muttering loudly. They couldn't believe their Captain was giving up his peace.
Jango stepped forward, angry and confused. "Captain, you can't just leave us! We followed you! What are we supposed to do now?"
The atmosphere became tense. Ellias Vane stepped calmly between Kuro and the former crew. He planted his Blackthorn Cane Sword lightly on the ground.
"You do what every man with ambition must do," Ellias said, his voice steady. "Choose."
Jango, completely lost, focused his anger on Ellias. "And who are you supposed to be? Some sort of rich tourist?"
Ellias smiled gently. "I am the man who'll give your captain a reason to continue."
Kuro looked at Ellias. The sheer scale of the blind man's ambition and vision was powerful. A faint smile spread across Kuro's face.
"From this day forward," Kuro announced to his shocked crew, "I am no longer your captain. I will serve as Vice Captain to Captain Ellias Vane."
The crew gasped. Jango stared at Kuro in disbelief.
"You're serious, aren't you?" Jango yelled.
"Deadly," Kuro confirmed, adjusting his glasses.
Jango looked from the perfect Ellias to the resolute Kuro. He sighed deeply, giving up the fight. "Then… if you're going, I'm going too," he decided. "Someone has to keep you from losing your mind."
Ellias felt the satisfying ding of the System, confirming the acquisition of his new asset.
[Ding!] System Mission Complete: Secure the Hypnotist.
Objective Achieved. Reward Processing...
Template Unlocked: Lelouch Lamperouge (Code Geass) – Geass of Absolute Command (0% -> 10%)
Simple Description: Grants the ability to subtly influence and charm individuals with high intelligence and elegance.
Abilities Unlocked: Strategic Planning Insight and Refined Social Charm.
Ellias smiled, a subtle new charm woven into his voice that felt inherently natural, a blend of his own elegance and Lelouch's strategic magnetism.
"Good. Loyalty that defies reason is rare," Ellias said to Kuro. "You'll need it, Vice Captain."
He then turned his new, persuasive charm toward the hypnotist. "Welcome aboard, Mr. Jango. Now, let us attend to our finances. Mr. Kuro, lead the way to the village.