Chapter 4: Pirates, Plots, and the Smell of Blood
"Hey, boss! The island ahead seems to be the infamous Beast Island!"
Atop the mast of a pirate ship, a pirate in a sailor suit peered through a telescope. He called down excitedly to a tall, muscular man standing on the deck below.
"Beast Island? That's perfect!" the muscular man, Kaili, burst into laughter. "It's full of wild animals, right? Just what we need. We'll hunt a few down, bring them aboard as fresh meat. We can rest up while we're at it, then get back to plundering merchant ships. Hahaha!"
"Boss, your brain works so fast! You're a genius!"
"Yes, yes!"
"You really are worthy of being our leader!"
The pirates around him nodded in agreement, their eyes shining with admiration.
Kaili laughed even louder, chest puffed out. He was going to be the man who ruled the North Blue. Of course, he was both wise and strong!
"Boss! I see someone on the island!" the sailor-suited pirate shouted again from above. "Looks like a castaway—just one person! And... he's a young boy, delicate-looking!"
"Oh?" Kaili's eyes lit up with greed. He threw his head back and laughed excitedly. "Hahaha! That's even better! Listen up, men—get ready to dock. Don't let that kid run away. A pretty little guy like him could fetch us a fortune when we sell him to those noble ladies!"
"Hehe, boss, don't worry! He's not going anywhere!"