The Bluma Jackson slowly docked at the port of the trading island "Golden Sand Bay."
Tesorro stood on the deck, fingers lightly tapping against a golden ledger.
Payday. The thought alone was enough to make his pulse quicken.
"Everyone, assemble." His voice was low, but the entire ship fell silent in an instant.
Rhett leapt down from the crow's nest, grinning as he sidled up. "Tesorooooo—is it time for my allowance?"
Is there anything happier than payday for the crew?
"Captain, show some restraint."
Rhett glanced at the others and pouted. They weren't any better than him.
Enel sat cross-legged on the mast, pretending not to care, but his ears were perked up high.
Moriah rubbed his hands together, chuckling under his breath.
The two little ones were far calmer—money didn't mean much to them aboard the Rhett Pirates.
Tesorro leisurely flipped open the ledger. "Last week's expenses—"
Rhett suddenly clapped his hands over his ears. "I don't wanna hear it! I just want my allowance! Tesorro, pleaaaase, can't we just skip to handing out the cash?"
"Captain," Tesorro adjusted his glasses, teasing. "You snuck into our storage room, broke the door, and didn't fix it. Fine: 500,000 berries. Allowance revoked Oh"
"WHAT?!" Rhett tried to argue. "That was me testing a new technique! It was for our safety! Science requires sacrifices!"
"Science doesn't require compensation?" Tesorro scoffed.
Perona floated over, blinking her big eyes. "Lord Tesorro~ My new dress..."
"Little Perona, of course. Go find Sister Della later, okay?"
"Okay, Lord Tesorro~"
Enel snorted. "Mortal currency is beneath a god—"
"You melted part of the deck. Repairs will be deducted from your allowance."
Moriah's shadow shrank back, trying to slink away, but Tesorro didn't even look up. "Moriah, you sneaked into the storage and took 1,000 berries. Did you think I wouldn't notice? Since it's a small amount, consider this a verbal warning."
Laboon let out a soft "Mwoo~" Tesorro bent down and patted his head. "Our Laboon is a well-behaved little whale. Double the fish snacks, and half the captain's allowance goes to you as a reward."
The deck erupted in collective despair.
Rhett flopped onto Tesorro's leg, clinging dramatically. "Pleaaaase, give me another chance! I promise I'll behave on the island this time! Tesorrooo, a captain without berries will die, I'll really die! You'll lose me, Tesorro! Look at me! I refuse to believe your heart is made of stone!"
Tesorro raised an eyebrow. "What's your guarantee?"
Stella chuckled, stepping in to mediate. She knew they were all just messing around—Tesorro would never actually withhold Rhett's money, and Rhett would never abuse his authority as captain.
Hierarchy existed for work, not family.
A soft green glow emanated from her palm. "How about this: if everyone behaves on the island today, I'll bake a cake tonight."
"Deal!" The crew shouted in unison, instantly switching moods.
With money in hand, Rhett lounged on a deck chair, basking in the sun as the ship approached shore.
Lina held a small bamboo basket, speaking softly to Rhett. "Captain, I'd like to buy some flower seeds. May I?"
Rhett waved a hand. "Go ahead, just come back soon. Enel, go with her. Don't let anyone mess with our navigator."
Enel stood from his chair, but Lina shook her head. "No need. I'm just buying seeds. I'll be quick."
Her voice remained gentle. Honestly, Lina's personality was so pleasant when she wasn't navigating.
Rhett smirked. "Alright, be careful."
Lina was more than capable of handling herself—Rhett wasn't worried at all.
Ten minutes later, the Bluma Jackson docked at Golden Sand Bay's harbor.
Rhett stood before a takoyaki stall, sparks practically flying between him and the vendor as their eyes locked.
"Old man, just give up. I'm famous for my appetite—if I'm not full, I won't blame you." Rhett picked his teeth, looking smug.
"Brat, don't get cocky. My takoyaki is legendary on this street—big portions, guaranteed to fill you up!" The vendor shot back, equally defiant.
A strange competitive spirit ignited between the two men.
"Oh? You think you're tough?!"
"I'll cook, you eat. If you can out-eat me, I'll admit defeat."
Rhett slapped a wad of cash on the counter. "Cook. Don't say I didn't give you face."
"I'll just charge for ingredients. Bring it on!!"
Who even knew what they were so fired up about? This was just the way of men and their inexplicable rivalries.
Moriah, lazing around like a salted fish, had handed his money to his "godfather" Rhett to bring back food. He holed up in his room reading manga, unsure when he'd actually get to eat.
Perona was busy pranking—her Negative Hollows had a squad of patrolling Marines weeping on their knees. "We're not even worth seagulls..."
Laboon sat at the dock, a bag of dried fish in his mouth, tilting his head at the chaos as his tail wagged.
Meanwhile, our navigator...
She slipped through the bustling crowd and stopped before a flower shop. The owner, a kindly old woman, smiled at Lina's timid demeanor. "What kind of seeds are you looking for, dear?"
Lina pointed to a few packets on the shelf. "Some sunflower and bluebell seeds, please."
The old woman wrapped them up and handed them over. Just as Lina reached for her money, a thick arm shot out, snatching her basket.
"Hey, this little lady's pretty cute!" A burly pirate leered, flanked by equally rough-looking crewmates.
Lina instinctively stepped back, voice trembling. "P-please give that back..."
The pirate captain laughed. "Give it back? Sure—join us for a drink, and I'll return it!"
He reached for Lina's wrist.
She dodged sharply, her gaze turning icy. Her hand rested on the rapier at her waist.
"I don't want trouble," Lina said quietly. "Please return my basket."
The pirate scoffed. "Trouble? That's not up to you!"
Just as Lina prepared to draw her blade, the sky darkened. A bolt of lightning struck the ground at the pirate's feet, sending him stumbling back.
"WHO'S THERE?!" he roared.
"Mortals. You dare lay hands on a god's companion?" Enel descended like a wrathful deity.
The pirates looked up to see Enel hovering midair, wreathed in black-red lightning, his eyes filled with disdain.
Their faces paled. "I-It's 'God' Enel! A fighter of the Crimson Dawn!"
Enel landed lightly, positioning himself between Lina and the pirates. "Three seconds. Disappear."
"Three." Electricity crackled at his fingertips.
"Two." The pirates shuffled backward.
"One."
"RUN!" They dropped their weapons and fled.
The Thunder God's reputation was formidable. Aside from Laboon, Perona, and the newly joined Lina, every member of the Crimson Dawn was notorious in their own right.
Enel scoffed, flicking a wrist. Another bolt struck the ground ahead of the fleeing pirates.
"If I see you again," his voice was a deathly whisper, "the next one lands on your heads."
The pirates scrambled away in terror.
Let's not forget—Enel was Rhett's crewmate, and Rhett was no saint himself.
Lina exhaled in relief. "Thank you, Enel."
He turned, the lightning dissipating as he reverted to his usual lazy demeanor. "Tch. I was just passing by. Don't get the wrong idea—I didn't come to save you."
Lina smiled softly. "I know."
Enel glanced at her, muttering, "Hurry back. The captain's waiting."
Then, under his breath: "...Saw it."
Lina jogged to catch up. "Saw what, Enel?"
"Nothing."
Side by side, they walked back to the port, their shadows stretching long under the setting sun.
Back on the ship, Rhett listened to the story, staring hard at the two without a word.
He'd seen this before—hadn't he, Rayleigh? What was he waiting for?
Enel's ears turned pink. "Shut up!"
Lina hugged her seeds, murmuring, "Thank you, everyone, for today."
Perona floated over and hugged her. "Big Sis Lina, I'll go with you next time!"
Rhett glanced at Enel.
Enel nodded.
Rhett raised both hands. "Time for a feast, lads!"
"Whoo!"