The ocean was calm as the Team Z ship sailed across the endless blue sea. Waves gently struck the sides of the vessel while the wind carried the smell of salt through the air.
For once, things were peaceful.
At the edge of the ship, Abraham sat quietly with a fishing rod in his hands. His feet dangled over the side of the deck while he watched the ocean below.
Behind him, inside the ship's training room, loud thuds echoed through the walls.
Zain was training again.
Punch.
Kick.
Impact.
The training dummy shook each time his blows landed.
In the kitchen area, Benjamin moved around calmly while cooking food for everyone.
Meanwhile, Ruqayya, Scarlet, Aisha, and Leona were stretched out on the deck, laying back as the warm sunlight hit their faces. The breeze brushed through their hair as they relaxed.
Leona sighed.
"This is nice."
Aisha nodded lazily.
"Yeah… finally some peace."
Scarlet closed her eyes.
"Let the boys burn their energy."
Right on cue—
"THIS IS WAR!"
Ryo shouted across the ship while holding a water gun.
Rimazu immediately shot him.
A burst of water hit Ryo straight in the chest.
"That's the point!" Rimazu laughed.
Sulaiman ran forward and sprayed Rimazu.
"Hey! Don't shoot Big Brother Ryo!"
Rimazu wiped water from his face and grinned.
"Every man for himself!"
Ryo laughed and fired back.
Water splashed Sulaiman.
"Let's see what you got!"
He pointed dramatically.
"It's me and Rimazu now!"
Sulaiman's eyes lit up.
"Oh it's on!"
The three of them sprinted across the entire ship firing water at each other like maniacs.
Meanwhile, an android walked up to Abraham.
"Master, what are you doing?"
Abraham glanced up.
"Hey… don't call me Master."
The android tilted its head.
"You are my superior."
Abraham shook his head.
"You're one of us. Just call me Abe."
The android processed this.
"…Understood. Abe."
It then asked again,
"What are you doing?"
Abraham smiled and lifted his fishing rod slightly.
"I'm fishing."
The android replied calmly.
"Why don't I do it for you? I am here to serve."
Before Abraham could answer—
His fishing rod bent violently.
"WOAH!"
He pulled hard.
Water exploded upward as a gigantic creature burst from the sea.
A massive Lion Whale landed on the deck, roaring loudly.
Abraham burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! That's a big one!"
The android observed it carefully.
"Impressive."
Abraham looked at him again.
"You know… it doesn't feel right if we're having fun and you're just working."
He pointed at the android.
"From now on your name is Bob."
The android blinked.
"…Bob?"
"You like it?"
"…Yes. I like it."
At that moment—
Sulaiman fired his water gun again.
The shot missed Ryo completely.
Instead—
Splash.
Bob got hit.
Abraham stared.
Then he burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Bob! Come on! Let's fire back!"
Rimazu shouted,
"Alright! Sulaiman! Ryo! Alliance!"
Abraham protested.
"That's not fair!"
Ryo pointed.
"You've got an android!"
Before the water war could continue—
The ship suddenly stopped moving.
Everyone froze.
Zain jumped out of the training room window and landed on the deck.
He stretched slightly before looking ahead.
"Alright."
He pointed toward the massive land in front of them.
"We're here."
Everyone gathered near the front of the ship.
In the distance stood a large coastline with mountains and traditional buildings.
Zain spoke.
"This is the Liva Region."
He pointed toward the nearest country.
"And the first country we'll be entering…"
"Is Paldea."
Ryo looked amazed.
"Whoa…"
They soon stepped onto the shore.
Ryo suddenly stopped.
"Wait."
He looked back.
"What about the ship?"
Bob calmly stepped forward.
"Do not worry."
He placed his hand on the ship.
A glowing field surrounded the vessel.
In seconds, the entire ship shrank smaller and smaller until it was tiny enough to fit in Bob's palm.
A protective bubble surrounded it.
Bob slipped it into his pocket.
Benjamin whistled.
"Maria's tech is insane."
Zain crossed his arms.
"Once we leave this country, I'm steering the ship myself."
Ruqayya looked at him.
"What about the self-sailing mode Maria installed?"
Zain immediately shook his head.
"I'm not using that."
He looked toward the ocean.
"I don't trust features with something this important. The seas in this world are dangerous."
Benjamin nodded.
"Fair enough."
Zain then turned to the group.
"Let's move."
He warned them.
"Be careful. This is the land of samurai and ninja."
Ryo's eyes lit up instantly.
"Samurai… ninja…"
Everyone looked at him.
Aisha asked,
"Why are you so excited?"
Ryo smiled brightly.
"Elizabeth used to tell me stories about them."
He looked around the country with awe.
"I thought they were made up."
Sulaiman and Ruqayya exchanged looks.
"Elizabeth?" they asked.
But Ryo had already started running ahead.
Zain answered calmly.
"Let's just say…"
"She was Ryo's world."
The rest of Team Z quickly followed him into the streets of Paldea.
While walking through the town, Ruqayya suddenly stopped.
Something on a wall caught her attention.
She walked closer.
A poster.
Her eyes widened.
She ripped the page off the wall.
"Guys… look at this."
Everyone gathered around.
Zain looked at the poster and chuckled.
"Well I'll be damned."
The poster had Ryo's face on it.
Underneath was written:
BOUNTY
500,000,000 ZEOS
Zain looked at Ryo.
"You've got a bounty on your head."
"Five hundred million Zeos."
"That's a lot of money."
Before Ryo could even turn around—
A blur flashed behind him.
WHOOSH
A samurai with black hair and glowing red eyes appeared instantly.
His speed was terrifying.
In a single movement—
He grabbed Ryo.
And vanished.
Seconds later—
Ryo slammed against the bars of a jail cell.
He looked around in shock.
The samurai stood outside calmly with his arms crossed.
He stared at the bounty poster again.
Then he looked at Ryo with a frown.
"Well…"
"Looks like God is on my side today."