The ship sliced through the waves in a silence that grew heavier by the minute.

The sea wind whistled between the ropes, making the sail snap like a nervous heartbeat.

Until now, laughter and playful banter between Yosuke and Solano had filled the crossing.

But suddenly, everything stopped.

A strange coldness settled in.

Izak, leaning against the railing, slowly lifted his gaze.

His steel-grey eyes fixed on the group, and his voice fell like a guillotine.

Izak (coldly) — You want to know how to become strong?

Silence fell instantly.

Even the sea seemed to stop breathing.

The waves broke without a sound, as if holding their breath.

Bunny, sitting on a barrel, covered his mouth with both hands — hiding a wide smile.

Izak (deep, cutting voice) — It takes… a sacrifice.

Those words echoed in the ship’s hull like a funeral bell.

Faces froze.

Hearts skipped a beat.

Bass (stunned) — … What?

Maxime (trembling) — A… sacrifice?

Albert (clenching his fists) — What do you mean? An eye? An arm? … Say it!

Izak didn’t look away. His voice remained glacial.

Izak (unforgiving) — Not an eye. Not an arm.

To reach true power… you must sacrifice the life of someone you love.

That’s the price demanded by the Creator.

An offering… for strength that surpasses all else.

The silence turned into tension.

A raw, gut-wrenching fear crept into their chests.

Yosuke turned away and walked to the edge of the ship. It looked like he was just staring at the sea.

But in reality… he was laughing under his breath — laughing until tears welled up!

And Bunny burst out laughing too. It made everyone uneasy, but they pretended not to notice. Only Solano gestured for him to be quiet.

Shadow (backing away, pale) — Impossible… never!

Arnaud (voice breaking) — You mean… we’d have to kill someone we love?! That would mean killing one of us!

Albert (exploding) — Never! We won’t sacrifice anyone, you hear me?! We’ll—

But before finishing his sentence, a sudden thought struck him.

Albert (tone changing, a faint smile) — Guys, remember — the Hologram said we each have three lives. So, if we sacrifice one of us… they’ll come back, with two lives left.

Now, we just have to decide who—

A flicker of hope began to return to their faces.

Yosuke turned around, wiping his tears as he did.

Izak, Yosuke, and Solano exchanged confused looks. And then…

Solano (sadly) — But if you sacrifice someone who comes back to life, it doesn’t count.

That’s too easy.

Their voices trembled — part anger, part terror.

Their eyes searched for an explanation… for a way out.

But there was none.

Bunny laughed even harder, and Yosuke turned around again, laughing quietly.

Solano lowered his head.

Shadow (nearly in tears) — No… no, I could never…

Arnaud (trembling) — This is madness…

Albert (sighing, sadly) — I wonder what Trafalgar would say.

A long silence followed.

The wind picked up again, softly shaking the ropes.

Izak crossed his arms, a bitter smile forming on his lips.

Izak (calmer) — Still… you’re already stronger than you think.

You stood your ground against Tiger.

That’s not nothing.

The boys exchanged uneasy looks.

The mood grew heavier.

Then Maxime lowered his head.

Maxime (low, ashamed voice) — It’s… not as impressive as it sounds.

Solano (frowning) — Explain.

Maxime took a slow breath.

His hands trembled slightly.

Maxime (regretfully) — We didn’t beat Tiger with our own strength.

Honestly, it was Arnaud and Shadow who did most of the work.

They ate… a fruit.

A strange one.

It multiplied their power — just for that fight.

Without it, we’d have been crushed.

A chill ran across the deck.

Yosuke and Solano exchanged a worried, incredulous look.

Izak (curious) — A fruit that gives strength?

Solano (frowning) — I’ve never heard of such a thing.

What kind of fruit was it?

Before Maxime could answer, a voice cut through the air.

Bunny (from atop a barrel) — … Uh, guys…?

Everyone turned toward him.

He wasn’t laughing anymore.

His eyes were fixed on the horizon.

Bunny (pointing, voice trembling) — A ship. It’s heading straight for us.

The talking stopped instantly.

Their faces hardened.

Izak squinted.

A dark silhouette cut through the waves, moving closer — like a beast beneath the sea.

Izak (grimly) — Pirates.

The word struck like thunder.

Solano clenched his jaw.

Yosuke cracked his knuckles, a sharp grin curling on his lips.

Yosuke (murmuring) — Finally, some action.

Albert (nervous) — Maybe they’ll just… sail by?

Yosuke (cutting) — Pirates don’t just pass by.

They pillage, they kill, they burn.

That’s why we’re here — to remind them everything has a price.

Solano turned to the younger ones, his gaze sharp as a blade.

Solano (commanding) — You five… and you, Bunny. Get below deck.

If you’re not as strong as you claim, don’t risk yourselves.

Let us handle this.

They froze.

Albert (shouting) — Come on! Move!

No one did.

Shadow (steady gaze) — No.

Bass (voice shaking but firm) — We’re not hiding.

Maxime (calm, determined) — Yeah. He’s right.

Bunny (resolute) — Me too.

Albert (furious) — You’re insane! You’ll die!

Solano (sighing) — He’s right. You’re not ready for this.

And you, Bunny — you promised your mother you wouldn’t do anything reckless.

Bunny (desperate) — But—

Solano (firm) — You’re not joining this fight. None of you are, if you’re as inexperienced as you say.

Go hide.

But Arnaud stepped forward.

His eyes burned.

Every word thundered through the air.

Arnaud (voice shaking with conviction) — Maybe we’re not ready.

But we’re not running.

(clenching his fists, his voice deepening)

I think I speak for Maxime, Shadow, and Bass.

Sacrifice someone we love? In this world, that means one of us.

No way.

So maybe we’ll never be strong.

So what? Either we rot in this world, or we go hunt down those keys.

And we’ve already decided. We’ll keep our promise.

Maxime, Shadow, and Bass nodded.

The wind rose, carrying his words like a challenge.

Even the sea seemed to listen.

Solano — But this whole sacrifice thing, it—

He was cut off.

Izak (firmly) — Let them be, Solano.

I’ll protect them.

With you and Yosuke beside me, these pirates are nothing.

Yosuke (grinning) — He’s right.

Let’s see what they’ve got.

Solano stayed silent for a few seconds, then sighed deeply.

Solano (resigned) — Fine.

And you, Albert… stay out of the way.

I don’t want any unnecessary deaths.

Albert (frustrated, reluctant) — … Fine.

Izak (slightly smiling) — At the back of the ship, there’s a hatch.

It leads to the hold — you’ll find weapons there. Take whatever you can.

The four of them ran off immediately.

Solano (low, suspicious tone) — You could’ve told them…

Izak (loading his weapons, sighing) — We will.

But first… let’s deal with these pirates.

The enemy ship drew closer — enormous, its black hull devouring the sea.

The clash was now inevitable.

Moments later, the boys returned.

Maxime (holding two snipers) — Ready.

Bass (brandishing two submachine guns) — Let’s do this.

Shadow (gripping a club) — Let’s crush them.

Arnaud (katana drawn, eyes burning) — …

Yosuke let out a short laugh.

Yosuke (amused) — Not bad.

A katana, huh? You’ve got style, kid.

Izak (calm, reassuring) — Don’t be afraid.

They’re just low-level pirates.

With us here, you’re safe.

I’ll cover you.

Bass (grinning) — For that, we’ve got Maxime.

Maxime (coldly) — We’ll see.

Solano stepped forward, facing the wind, his hair whipping behind him.

His gaze was sharp, his words like divine command.

Solano (strong voice) — No mercy.

These men chose the sea of blood.

Let them drown in it.

The wind howled.

The waves slammed against the hull.

Their ship surged toward the shadow of the massive black vessel.

And on the deck, seven silhouettes stood — ready to face the storm.

Their hearts beat as one,

caught between fear, courage,

and a single word that burned inside them all:

Power.