The Blue Dawn Adventurers ran down the streets, people moving out of the way to let them pass.
"Aila, check with your birds in the sky," Luca said.
She nodded, crossing her hands and closing her eyes. Toy birds floating in the sky acted as her lens of the island, searching for their employers. She spotted them near the harbor, their captors pushing them into the ship.
"Captain, the harbor."
Luca clicked his tongue. "We'll never make it in time."
Hana grinned. "Never say never captain. As a proud member of the Russ Clan, I'll get us there."
She snapped her fingers, the ground beneath them beginning to shake. Vines shut up from the ground, wrapping themselves around the crew. Luca frowned. "Oi, Hana, what is this?"
She smiled. "We're going to fly."
Luca opened his mouth to ask how, but the words fizzled in the air as the vines threw them forward. The sounds of screams filled the town, eyes casting upwards to see the adventurers soaring through the sky.
The bandits didn't see it coming, the heap of flesh crash landing on their wares. Hana had made a large flower to cushion their fall, their bodies sprawled irregularly.
Luca was the first to rise, grabbing Hana by the collar of her blue jacket. She shook as he moved her to and fro, his eyes seething with rage. "What the hell is wrong with you, we could have died and even worse, I feel like those foolish adventurers from the exam."
She laughed, rubbing the back of her head. "Sorry captain, but we made it, didn't we?"
He mumbled profanities, the other three rising behind him. They had been surrounded, a man in a red coat and a small peach fuzz underneath his nose, stood in front of the mass of men, the probable leader of the ground. You could spot their employers being held by a bunch of the bandits, snarls on their lips.
"Looks like we have company," Aila said, dusting her long skirt.
"Hand them over," Luca commanded.
The man in the red coat snickered, tilting his head to the side. "And why should I listen to a stupid brat like you."
Luca pursed his lips. "Because if you don't, me and my crew will handle you."
He burst into laughter. "Rookies these days sure have a mouth on them. Let's teach you how dangerous the seas are."
He charged forward with his sword, Luca staying still in his spot. Before it could touch him, William skid in front and halted his movements with his sword. The swordsman's blue eyes pierced into him, all malice bared forward.
The man flinched, slowly looking back. Vernon had his staff, pressed to his back. Near his neck, a thorny vine hung menacingly, ready to pierce any time. Above him, a block of cement threatened to fall on his head.
At all corners, the man had been held hostage for his life without Luca even having to lift a finger. The people with him raged forward at the sight of their leader in bondage, their weapons out to attack. Luca flicked his wrists, a hot circle of flames surrounding them.
"I agree I'm a rookie, but that isn't enough reason for me not to give my all in my job," Luca said. "Let them go."
He glared at Luca, not allowing his crew members to threaten him. "How can I let this rich bastard go when all he does is exploit the poor?"
"Let the law handle that, it's not your job."
"Shut up, a brat like you wouldn't understand the way the world works."
"That's why I'm an adventurer, to understand." Luca's eyes glowed red. "I won't let a misguided hoodlum like you get in the way of justice."
His subordinates quickly moved out of the way, Luca slamming the flats of his palm on his stomach. The head of the Suoh Bandits exploded backwards, his eye balls rolling to the rear of his head.
His men watched with mouths open at their incapacitated leader then to the Blue Dawn Adventurers. William's eyes glinted, all his sadism on full display as he placed his third sword in his mouth. Vernon hit his staff on the ground with Hana's vines dancing not too far from him. Behind Aila, crumbled parts of buildings begun to float.
Luca stood in front of his crew, his blue eyes on the bandits. "I'm Luca Diaz and we're the Blue Dawn Adventurers, don't forget that."
...
Mr. Aboh frowned at Luca, eyes twitching. "What did you just say?"
The Blue Dawn Adventurers had successfully secured the bandits and given a level increase as well as their bounties. Now, they were seated in Mr. Aboh's mansion for tea.
"
I want you to stop harassing the people. The Suoh bandits only attacked you today because you've not only been embezzling from the people, but you terrorize them with your money. The people are suffering because of you. Those bandits only attack rich merchants that trouble the people," Luca said, sipping from his cup. "You my friend are no less evil than the bandits."
William turned his head, so the merchant couldn't see him laughing while Vernon smiled at his captain's brashness,
Aboh glared at him, slamming his tea cup on the wooden table. "I won't let you insult me like this. Who do you think you are?"
Luca sighed, dropping his own cup. "I hate using this, but I hate seeing these people suffer." He pulled out a black card from his pocket, the rectangular object stirring fear in the merchant's heart. A golden globe representing the government of the world, the Earthians, was designed neatly on the card. "I am from the Diaz family. If you don't want the Earthians to get into it. I advise you to stop tormenting these people. I wasn't joking when I said I'm going to take over. If I recall, your company basically runs this place."
"B-but you're just a rookie. Takeovers are for only adventurers of high status. Our town would be shamed."
"Say what you want Mr. Aboh, but your reign of terror here is over. Mr. Mayor, did you hear?" Luca shouted.
The mayor of Inn Island, an old man with a walking stick, walked into the room, bowing his head low. "I heard that Mr. Diaz."
Luca stared the merchant down. "The one thing I hate is when people of high influence use their powers to manipulate and hurt people. Your company along with this island is now under me. Ten percent of your income will go into the helping of the island."
"Ten percent is too…"
Luca glared at him, his eyes flaming red. "This wasn't an offer Mr. Aboh, it was a command."
The distraught merchant knelt on the ground and Luca turned to his crew members. "We're leaving."
They nodded and followed him out, the tension in the room leaving with them.
William snickered, placing his arms at the back of his head. "You're pretty brutal captain. Especially pulling out the Earthian Noble card."
"Shut up," Luca mumbled.
The mayor bowed to Luca. "Thank you so much Mr. Diaz."
Luca waved his hand dismissively. "It's my job to help my fellow human being so you don't have to thank me."
"In honor of our saviors, we should throw a party."
Luca shook his head, the idea not to his liking. "Really, we don't need any thanks."
"Humble much," William mumbled.
He glared at him. "What did you say?"
William gulped. "Nothing."
"Better." He turned back to the mayor. "We'll be leaving today, but we'll put our flags up and give you a hub. When I get more crew members, I'll be sure to send them here. Since we've taken stake of this place, we expect Mr. Aboh to build us an adventure house."
"Yes Mr. Diaz."
Luca waved. "Then goodbye."
He bowed, Luca and his crew walking back to their ship.
William pouted. "I would have liked a party though. So many cute girls I could have seen."
Luca rolled his eyes. "We can have a party on the ship. These people are already suffering. It would be rude to take from them."
William smirked. "You always try and act mean but you're a real softie."
Luca raised his fists. "Do you want me to kick you?"
"Sorry captain."
"Better."
.....
The Golden Jubilee set sail for Analus Island, the hometown of Luca for their quest. They had drunk themselves silly, Luca and Vernon the only one awake while the members slept peacefully on the ground. Both captains stood at the end of the ship, staring at the pitch black sky.
"The world is more than I bargained for," Luca mumbled. "Do you think we'll see more people like that?"
"Probably, but if the captain sticks to his morals, I'm sure everything will be okay." Vernon smiled. "That's why we follow you after all."
Luca smiled a bit. "Thanks for being here, Vernon."
Vernon placed his hand on Luca's. "I did promise to stay by your side. Besides, I'm the only one who can handle you."
Luca chuckled, his blue eyes twinkling. "Fair."
.....
The next day, Luca had been handed the Manu newspaper by Vernon and he searched for any news of their good deed the day before. His eyes boiled hot, glaring at the blown up pictures of the Cross Heart Adventurers on the first page.
William leaned over his shoulder. "Oh look, it's those guys. The girls are pretty cute."
Hana scrunched up her face. "One of them is a witch, not interested."
"They saved Vulkan Island from an explosion that's nice," Aila said, placing a cup of juice in front of Luca.
Understanding Luca's anger, Vernon quickly assured him. "W-we're also on the news too."
He pointed at a small picture of Mr. Aboh and the words describing how he had been saved by the Blue Dawn Adventurers. They felt more like an afterthought than an actual news story.
The paper crumpled in Luca's hands, his eyes a pits of flames. Everyone yelped, pulling back as the room turned boiling hot.
"Those freaking bastards. I hope we don't meet them again because if we do I'll kill someone."
Vernon laughed nervously. "Fate isn't cruel enough to let us see them."
"I hope so."
Somewhere in the East Sea, the five people in question sneezed simultaneously. Shinzo frowned. "Do we have a cold?"
Octavius flipped through a magazine. "Someone's probably talking about us."
"Forget about that," Luna said. "A few more hours till we get to our destination."
Paolo grinned at the horizon. "Analus Island, here we come."