Chapter 26
The sun’s shining bright over South Blue, and my ship glides smoothly across the calm waves. I step out of the cabin, stretching with a yawn, and call out to Nami, who’s lounging on a deck chair, nose buried in a sea chart. “Morning!”
She glances up, rolling her eyes. “It’s almost noon. Do all you bounty hunters keep such lazy schedules?”
“Yep,” I say with a grin, strolling to the bow. “We bounty hunters know how to live the good life.” I grip the railing, taking a deep breath of the fresh sea air.
“Report!” a sailor with a telescope calls out to Nami. “Miss Nami, we’ve passed Starfall Island, just like the chart says!”
“Really?” Nami perks up, rushing to the ship’s edge. She grabs the telescope I lent her and peers into the distance. Sure enough, an island comes into view.
“Since it’s an island, should we stop for supplies?” I ask.
Nami shakes her head. “No need. We’re fully stocked.” She returns to her chair, picking up the chart. “We’ve passed Starfall Island. At most, we’re a week away from our destination—Half-Moon Island.”
“That certain, huh?” I ask, impressed by her confidence.
“Even if we hit some nasty weather, ten days tops,” she says, waving the chart. “I can’t believe how accurate this South Blue chart you gave me is. It’s way more precise than the East Blue one.”
I shrug. “Well, yeah. It’s a Navy chart. Any errors are minimal at worst.”
“Navy chart?” Nami blinks, then beams at me. “Well, well, Mr. Handsome Bounty Hunter, how about a deal?”
“Can you talk like a normal person for once?” I say, not turning around, letting the sea breeze hit my face.
Her forehead twitches with annoyance, but she keeps up the sunny smile. “So… after this job’s done, could you toss in that chart as part of my payment?”
“Pfft, is that all?” I say, still gazing out at the horizon. “Once the job’s over, that chart’s useless to me. Take it if you want.” I agree without hesitation.
“Deal!” Nami’s fake smile turns genuine. She might not come back to South Blue anytime soon, but her chart obsession won’t let her pass up something this accurate.
Suddenly, the lookout sailor’s face shifts. “Mr. Morgan, Miss Nami, there’s a pirate ship coming from the southwest!”
“What?” Nami grabs the telescope and looks. Sure enough, a ship with a skull flag is barreling toward us. We were so focused on the chart and the island that we didn’t notice it until it was close enough to see with the naked eye.
“We’ll cross paths if this keeps up. Should we slow down or tweak our course to avoid them?” Nami asks, frowning as she hands me the telescope.
I take a quick look and shake my head. “No need.” Turning to Nami and the two sailors, who look confused, I add, “Can’t you tell? That ship’s coming straight for us.”
“What?!” Nami and the sailors pale. None of them are fighters, and the idea of pirates targeting us sends them into a panic.
I’ve seen worse. “Relax,” I say calmly. “Steady the helm, aim the cannons at them, and leave the rest to me.”
With me taking charge, the three of them snap into action, following my orders.
Just like I figured, the pirate ship’s locked onto us. No matter how we adjust our course, they match us. Within minutes, they’re less than a hundred meters away, their sails catching the wind, closing in fast.
“Fire,” I say to the sailor at the cannon.
*Boom!* The cannonball splashes just in front of the pirate ship, kicking up a wave. Their ship’s sturdy, though—it takes a glancing hit but keeps coming, barely shaken.
Before the sailors can load another shot, the pirate ship’s already on us. Thick iron chains fly over, hooking our railing. A gang of scrawny, half-starved pirates starts clambering across, hollering, “Board ‘em! Grab everything!”
About thirty of them swarm the chains, reaching our deck in seconds.
“Get inside the cabin!” I shout to Nami and the sailors. I lash out, kicking the two closest pirates off the deck. The rest turn on me, rushing in.
These guys are no match for me. Thanks to the Primary Body Enhancement Potion from the Shop, my speed and strength make quick work of them. In moments, all thirty-something pirates are sprawled across the deck, out cold.
More noise comes from the pirate ship. A girl in a white tank top, suspenders, and a green captain’s hat steps forward, her long pink hair flowing. She’s got to be their captain. Behind her are a dozen more pirates—still scrawny, but tougher-looking than the first wave, probably her elite crew or officers.
I draw *Whisper*, my Shop-bought short gun, and fire at the captain.
*Bang!* She’s quick, leaping aside as the bullet grazes one of her crew’s shoulders. She lands on my deck, smirking, and lunges at me.
Her grin’s all confidence, like she’s got me cornered. She swings her hand my way, but I’m already moving. With the potion’s speed boost, I vanish in a puff of dust, leaving her grasping at air.
“What… he’s gone!” she gasps, stunned.
Before she can react, I’m behind her. I slam her shoulder, forcing her to her knees with a grunt. She tries to turn, but I press *Whisper*’s cold barrel against the back of her head.
“Twitch a finger, and I’ll blow your brains out,” I say, my voice low and steady.