The ship creaked under the relentless winds, its sails billowing as the Night Guild Pirates sailed deeper into the New World. The once calm sea had now transformed into a tempest, with waves towering over the ship like mountainous giants, crashing and roaring as if to challenge their journey.
Hiro stood at the helm, his eyes narrowed as he watched the violent waves. His mind was not on the raging storm, but on the events that had transpired after his battle with Noctis. Despite his victory, Hiro felt a nagging sensation in the back of his mind—a sense that this was only the beginning of a far more treacherous path.
"Captain," Hikari's voice called from behind him, drawing Hiro's attention. She stood there, holding onto the railing, her expression more serious than usual. Her silver eyes locked with his. "We're approaching the islands of the Black Sea. Reports say it's crawling with dangerous pirates, and the marines are known to frequent those waters."
Hiro glanced at her, his usual smirk returning. "Dangerous pirates and marines? Sounds like a good day to me."
Hikari didn't share his amusement. "This isn't just about a fight, Hiro. The Black Sea is where some of the most notorious crews in the world lurk. It's a place where even seasoned pirates get swallowed whole. You should be cautious."
Hiro's gaze turned back to the stormy horizon. "Caution isn't the way of the Night Guild, Hikari. We don't turn back from challenges."
As the ship cut through the wild waves, the rest of the crew could be seen preparing for the inevitable confrontation. Musica was already at the bow, strumming his guitar with practiced hands, the melody he played somehow blending with the howling wind, as if he was controlling it. Celeste, her hands working the navigational charts, pointed out the upcoming islands where the most dangerous pirates made their homes.
On the deck, Demetrius was sharpening his swords, the glint of the steel reflecting his focused eyes. Soruto Feng, meanwhile, was adjusting his sniper rifle, his movements deliberate and confident. He was ready to eliminate any threat from a distance.
Hiro's gaze shifted to the rest of the crew, each preparing in their own way for the storm ahead. He thought of Luffy for a moment—his younger brother, who had no idea he even existed. Hiro had always watched his brother from the shadows, following his journey with quiet admiration and frustration. What would happen if their paths crossed? Hiro wasn't sure, but he knew that the New World held many surprises, and not all of them would be easy to handle.
Suddenly, a loud crash rang through the ship as a massive wave slammed into the side. Hiro gritted his teeth, his hands tightening around the wheel. "Hold steady, everyone!" His voice rang out, sharp and commanding. He could see the ship begin to tilt, the ocean threatening to swallow them whole.
"Captain!" Hikari called again, this time her voice laced with urgency. "Look!"
Hiro's eyes followed her pointing finger and saw it. A massive ship, black as night, had emerged from the mist and was rapidly closing in on them. Its sails were tattered, its hull scarred with the marks of many battles, and the flag that flew above it—a blood-red skull with crossed swords—spoke of its violent reputation. The ship was large enough to dwarf their own vessel.
"The Bloody Tide…" Celeste muttered, a rare look of concern on her face. "The crew of the Bloody Tide are infamous. They've been known to raid entire fleets with no mercy."
Hiro's grin never wavered, even as the ship loomed closer. "Then it's time we show them what happens when they mess with the Night Guild."
"Demetrius, Soruto, take your positions!" Hiro barked. "Hikari, ready the crew. Celeste, guide us through the storm. Musica—play us into battle!"
Musica flashed a devilish grin as he raised his guitar and began to strum a powerful chord. The sound was thunderous, resonating across the ship and over the storm. The music seemed to reach out into the atmosphere, stirring the winds and calming the crew. The ship rocked with the rhythm of the song, as if the very sea was dancing to the beat.
As the Bloody Tide's ship grew closer, Hiro leaped to the front of the deck. "Ready yourselves!" he shouted. "This is our moment!"
The Bloody Tide's ship drew closer and closer, its cannons now aimed directly at the Night Guild's vessel. The pirates aboard the ship were shouting, some already aiming their weapons, eager for the bloodshed that was sure to follow. Hiro could hear their leader's booming voice calling out orders, but it was drowned out by the storm and the beat of Musica's song.
Then, it came—the first shot. A massive cannonball hurtled through the air, aimed straight for the Night Guild ship. But before it could hit, a single shot rang out from Soruto's rifle. The bullet struck the cannonball mid-flight, causing it to explode in a fiery burst of metal and smoke.
The crew of the Bloody Tide looked up in shock, their leader's face contorting with rage as he shouted for his men to return fire. Hiro's eyes burned with intensity as he watched the chaos unfold, his grip tight on the railing. He wasn't one for speeches—action was his language.
"Full speed ahead!" Hiro yelled.
With a swift motion, the Night Guild Pirates surged forward, their ship cutting through the storm and the enemy vessel with brutal speed. Demetrius charged ahead, his swords flashing in the moonlight as he leaped aboard the Bloody Tide's ship, slashing through the enemy pirates with vicious precision. Soruto continued to pick off targets, his shots finding their marks with eerie accuracy.
Hikari and Celeste coordinated the rest of the crew, directing them in a whirlwind of precision and strategy. The deck of the Bloody Tide became a chaotic battleground as the Night Guild's crew relentlessly pushed forward. Musica's music wove through the fray, a war cry in melody, keeping their spirits high as they fought.
But it was Hiro, standing tall at the center of it all, who brought the decisive blow. He leaped from his ship and onto the Bloody Tide's vessel, his Armament Haki flaring around him. With a single, brutal strike, he cleaved through the captain of the Bloody Tide, his blade cutting through the man like paper.
"The Night Guild will reign." Hiro's voice echoed, clear and commanding as the rest of the Bloody Tide's crew fell back, realizing their inevitable defeat.
As the last of the enemy pirates were subdued, Hiro stood at the heart of the battlefield, his gaze sharp and unyielding. The storm around them seemed to settle, as if acknowledging their victory.
Hikari approached him, her expression one of approval. "Another victory for the Night Guild."
Hiro glanced at the horizon, the distant sea stretching out before them. "This is only the beginning," he murmured, a fierce fire in his eyes. "There are still many more storms to face."
And as the Night Guild Pirates sailed into the heart of the New World, they knew one thing for certain: no matter what the sea threw at them, they would stand tall. The storm of the sea was nothing compared to the storm of the Night Guild.