Ch-5

"Your demands have been fulfilled," Hina stated, her voice filled with a mix of resignation and defiance. "But don't think for a moment that you're escaping unscathed."

Hina gazed out at the dark expanse of the sea. A marine fleet, led by Hina herself, had swiftly set sail upon receiving the news.

"The sea is vast. It's highly improbable for you to track me down once I depart on my ship," Aki remarked, his tone laced with confidence.

"You're not wrong about that, but our paths will inevitably cross one day," Hina asserted, her determination unwavering.

"I'll be eagerly awaiting that day," Aki replied, and with that, the voice transponder snail connection abruptly ceased.

"They can't hold me responsible if he manages to slip away," Hina muttered under her breath, her words a combination of frustration and resignation.

***

Law, who had been silently observing the scene, finally rose to his feet. He walked towards Aki, his gaze shifting briefly to the Marines. "Shall we let them be?" he questioned, his voice tinged with indifference.

Aki glanced at the pitiful expressions on the Marines' faces. "Lock t—" He was unable to finish his sentence as his attention was caught by the sight of a fleet of pirate ships approaching.

"Who is it, Bepo?" Law inquired, as Bepo raised the binoculars to his eyes. "It's a pirate flag adorned with two nails on a skull," Bepo responded.

"The Nailed Pirates," Law remarked, letting out a long sigh. "They're quite late. Originally, they were supposed to attack the marine fleet."

"Were they lost?" Bepo questioned, seeking an answer from Law.

"They were probably squandered away in some tavern," Aki replied with a sigh of his own.

Penguin brought out a couple of chairs and placed them on the deck. Aki settled comfortably into one, followed by Law. "How should we handle them?" Law inquired.

Aki took a glass of orange juice from Penguin and took a leisurely sip. "I don't wish to handle them," he stated matter-of-factly.

"Then what shall we do?" Law pressed further.

"Just engage in some casual conversation, and then depart," Aki replied. "Another fleet will likely arrive soon. Let them relish in their spoils for a while. They deserve to rot in prison anyway."

***

Law nodded in agreement, taking a sip of his orange juice. They both waited in silence for a while until the captain of the fleet stepped onto the deck. "How's it going? Looks like the plan went smoothly. I can see we've made quite a haul," Nailus, the captain, remarked.

"You've gathered quite a number of pirates," Aki commented, his gaze fixed on the multitude. There were ten fully laden ships, possibly housing over a thousand individuals.

"We were up against the Marines, didn't want to take any chances," Nailus explained. "But I suppose I shouldn't be saying that now, should I?"

"At least you're aware," Aki responded. "So, shall we divide the spoils? After we put in the hard work together." Aki said, with a hint of sarcasm.

"Pirates! Afterall." Nailus exclaimed, his lips curling with a wicked grin as he gave Aki an ominous look. Aki met his gaze, holding it for a few moments.

"Very well," Aki replied. "I don't wish to cause trouble with you. We have much to achieve together."

Aki rose from his seat and approached Nailus. "I'm leaving now. Divide the loot and ensure our share is set aside. We'll come to collect it later."

"Let's go. We're on the losing side," Aki gestured to Law, who stood up in response. Bepo and Penguin followed closely behind as they made their way to depart.

"Wait!" Nailus interjected, causing Aki to pause and glance at him from the corner of his eye. "There are marine bases nearby. Don't you want to join us?"

"We have a submarine," Aki responded. "Being part of such a massive fleet will only attract unwanted attention."

With that, they boarded the submarine. As the vessel submerged beneath the waves, Nailus erupted into laughter. "These fools actually believed I would share such a vast treasure with them," he sneered, and the crew joined in the laughter. The marines exchanged perplexed glances, uncertain of whom they should consider the real fools.

They decided to remain silent. Nailus gave the command, "Lock the marines in the cells."

"Where should we head next?" Bepo inquired, turning to Aki.

"To a safe place. I trust your judgment in finding one," Aki replied. "The North Blue will soon be engulfed in chaos. I prefer not to get entangled in it."

"I don't think avoiding involvement is an option anymore," Law chimed in. "We're already deep in this mess. I understand that," Aki conceded.

"You scared?" Aki taunted. "I've been waiting for this moment since the day we first crossed paths seven years ago."

After a few hours had passed,

The pirates began to mobilize, moving the marine fleet alongside their own. Their faces were filled with excitement, though they were clearly intoxicated from an overdose of alcohol. It was a sight to behold, a spectacle of revelry.

"I treat others unfairly," Aki responded. "But I don't expect others to treat me any differently." Law chimed in, "The pirates reaped what they sowed, just as we all do."

"You're astute," Aki acknowledged, as he slipped on a sleeping eye mask.

The pirate fleet suddenly came to a realization. A formidable marine fleet emerged on the horizon, consisting of ten ships, led by Rear Admiral Hina. It was a surprise to her to find the pirates still in possession of the captured marine cargo.

"Prepare for battle," Hina declared, her gaze fixed on the fleet before her. It was disheartening for her to witness drunken pirates who had dared to seize the marine cargo fleet.

Nailus's eyes burned with rage as he caught sight of the approaching fleet, his voice erupting with fury, the sound thundering through the air. "Damn you, Aki!" he roared, his words echoing across the tumultuous battlefield.

The clash of cannonballs and bullets filled the air, drowning the surroundings in a symphony of chaos. The clash of two forces, one consisting of drunken savages and the other disciplined marines, created a collision of unrefined brutality against honed skill. It was a clash destined to be short-lived, as the outcome seemed predetermined. The marines could have faced a far graver fate, but the inebriated horde proved to be an easy challenge. It was not their sheer numbers that prolonged their resistance; rather, it was their audacity and reckless abandon.

Nailus, now rendered powerless, found himself pinned to the ground, the weight of Hina's boot pressing against his face. He was at her mercy, his futile struggles met with her unwavering control. "You dared to seize the fleet and indulge in drunken revelry," Hina declared with a steely gaze.

Nailus, his voice muffled beneath Hina's boot, summoned the courage to question her. "How did you know?" he dared to ask, his voice strained.

Hina's gaze intensified, her eyes narrowing with a glint of superiority. "Look at this," she responded, applying more pressure to her boot, the weight crushing Nailus's head beneath its merciless sole. The pirate's defiance silenced forever.

With the captive marines now freed, one of them stepped forward to address Rear Admiral Hina. "They joined the fray after you and Aki had finished negotiating, Rear Admiral Hina," the marine reported dutifully, his voice tinged with respect.

Hina's curiosity piqued, she leaned in, her attention fully focused on the marine. "Tell me everything," she commanded, her tone demanding to know the details of the encounter.

And so, the marine recounted the entire tale to Hina, painting a vivid picture of the events that had unfolded. His words wove a story of treachery, alliance, and the audacity of Aki's actions. Hina listened intently, her amusement growing with each passing moment, her lips curling into a knowing smile.

"So, you are named Aki," Hina mused, her voice carrying a mix of admiration and intrigue. The puzzle pieces were coming together, and a plan began to form in her mind.