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Clouds drifted across the moon, casting shadows over the rooftop.
Aero stood silent, his gaze fixed on Eddie. He couldn't clearly see the man's expression anymore, but he had no reason to lie.
"Yes," Aero said. "I'm the one who sank the Marine warship."
There was a pause.
Then Eddie smiled.
"Good. Thank you," he said, sincerity cutting through his usual bravado. "I, Eddie, officially accept your command, Captain."
Aero blinked, taken aback by the sudden gratitude. Eddie calmly refilled the teacups as if nothing strange had just been said.
"Captain," Eddie said, setting the kettle down, "this island's no longer safe. I figured out your connection to that storm, and if I can, the Navy definitely has."
Aero listened quietly as Eddie continued.
"The Navy's been working for years to maintain East Blue as the symbol of peace among the four seas. You shattered that image. And they've sent someone to respond. A Marine officer from HQ arrived here recently. He's been promoted to Rear Admiral just for taking on this case. Three days. That's all we've got before this place becomes a warzone."
Aero narrowed his eyes.
Eddie's logic sounded oddly familiar.
Then it hit him that was what he had said to Scarface when he first landed here.
"…Clever guy," Aero muttered. "Eddie, you know how many people are actually on my ship?"
Eddie thought for a moment. "From what I've seen? Counting everyone patrolling and loitering around… over a hundred?"
Aero gave a short laugh. "Thirteen. Including you."
"…What?"
"Those others are supported. Not fighters. Not pirates. Just… associates."
Eddie froze. "We're sailing with thirteen people?! Against what two hundred elite Marines?!"
"If I take down their commanding officer, the rest will fall," Aero said flatly.
Eddie leaned forward, voice lowering. "Captain, I don't think you understand what HQ's 'elite Marines' actually are. These aren't the lazy grunts posted at small-town docks. These are soldiers trained to fight pirates from the Grand Line. Most of them know [Rokushiki] techniques the pinnacle of physical combat. Even the newly promoted Rear Admiral will likely have mastered one or two styles."
Aero didn't respond. But his brows furrowed.
He knew HQ-trained soldiers were stronger but Eddie was right. Marines who'd battled Grand Line pirates were in a different league entirely. They weren't there to maintain order. They were built to destroy.
"And you?" Aero asked, tone calm. "How do you know so much about Marine hierarchy and combat styles?"
Eddie hesitated. Then, with a quiet breath, he spoke.
"I became an informant to learn how to fight the Navy. I was hunting someone. A Marine."
"…The officer I killed?"
Eddie gave a faint nod. "Yeah. He was my target. But you got to him first."
Aero said nothing. Everyone had secrets. As long as they didn't threaten his crew, he didn't pry.
"Alright," Aero said at last. "Three days. We sail from the eastern coast. Meet us there. Oh—and make sure you return that kettle."
He stood, set down his teacup, and leaped off the rooftop. Two black-robed pirates silently followed after him.
They landed effortlessly.
Their training had made such drops trivial. They were still wearing weighted armor; after all, being tossed dozens of feet into the air and slammed into the ground had become routine.
This? Child's play.
One pirate jogged up beside Aero.
"Captain… isn't this black robe a little obvious? What if there are spies around?"
Aero stopped and turned.
The crewman shrank back slightly, nervous under the Captain's stare.
His name was Weiss.
"I mean, I just thought… you know… maybe I shouldn't have said anything—"
"Weiss," Aero said solemnly. "We're pirates. We do what we want. That's our freedom."
"Yes, sir!" Weiss replied quickly, repeating it under his breath as he jogged to keep up.
"We're pirates… we're pirates…"
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After a few winding turns through side streets, Aero arrived at an old, run-down building.
"Captain, what're we doing here?" Weiss asked, trying to make conversation.
"Shut it," the other pirate snapped, tugging Weiss back.
Aero glanced at them.
"You two wait here."
"Yes, Captain."
As soon as he stepped inside, Weiss turned to his partner.
"Lance, what is this place?"
Lance glanced away. "This is… the Captain's old home."
"What?! But I thought he sailed with Scar! Why was he living in this dump?"
"Idiot. Scar died the day they set out. If Aero hadn't survived, he wouldn't be here either."
"Still… why come back now?"
Lance turned away, clearly annoyed. "I don't know, alright? If I did, you think I'd be hiding it?"
He mumbled under his breath.
"If I knew, I'd be bragging, not babysitting you."
The two stood outside in silence for a long while.
Eventually, they edged closer to the door.
They paused at the threshold then stepped back.
"…No way the Captain's in trouble," Weiss whispered.
"…Still. Better keep our ears open," Lance muttered.
And so they stood.
No more questions. No more jokes.
Just two pirates outside a crumbling house, waiting for their Captain to finish what he had come here for.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
~Thank you for reading!