The events of yesterday had left the village shaken, but now that peace had returned, it was time to rebuild. The destroyed homes and buildings needed reconstruction, and the villagers wasted no time in getting started.
"You shouldn't leave. Stay with me—what do you say?"
As the others dispersed, Aki hesitated, realizing just how close she and Shirayama had grown. She was about to excuse herself when Shirayama gently grabbed her hand and, without warning, pulled her into a firm embrace.
The sudden confession caught Aki off guard. Her heart raced, her face turning crimson as her emotions swirled in a chaotic dance.
Though flustered, she couldn't deny her feelings. She liked Shirayama—perhaps it was love at first sight.
Shirayama wasn't conventionally handsome, but his resolute expression and overwhelming strength made her feel safe. And isn't that what every girl seeks—a safe harbor in life's storm?
"…Alright," Aki whispered, her voice barely audible, leaning into him as if she were intoxicated, finding comfort in his arms.
But the tender moment was abruptly shattered by a panicked scream:
"Pirates! Pirates are coming!"
The shrill cry pierced the air, dragging Shirayama back to reality.
"I should've known…" he muttered, exasperation written all over his face.
Aki quickly stepped out of his embrace, her head lowered in embarrassment. She stood awkwardly to the side, a sight that tempted Shirayama to tease her.
"Wait here. I'll handle this," he said, giving her a reassuring nod before launching himself skyward.
With a powerful leap, Shirayama unfurled his energy wings, their gray hue shimmering in the sunlight. With a single, mighty flap, he soared toward the ocean like a predatory eagle.
At the Port of Kuro Island
The villagers, who had just begun to feel secure, were now thrown into chaos. Screams filled the air as they scattered in panic, the terror of pirates deeply etched into their hearts.
"Find Shirayama! Quickly!"
One villager suddenly remembered their trump card and shouted.
"Yes, get Shirayama!"
The call spread like wildfire. The villagers, previously in disarray, now rallied around a single hope: Shirayama.
To them, he was the ultimate guardian. With him here, no pirate could threaten their safety. Hadn't he already defeated the notorious Yuris with ease?
At that moment, Shirayama streaked across the sky, drawing every eye upward. The villagers froze in awe.
This—this was the power of a true warrior.
Unbound by the earth, free to dominate the skies.
Out on the ocean, a pirate ship loomed closer, its sails adorned with the emblem of a one-eyed tiger. The men aboard were a rowdy, menacing bunch, waving weapons and howling like a pack of rabid wolves.
At the helm stood their captain, Tiger, who felt like Lady Luck herself had taken a shine to him lately.
After barely surviving a storm in the Grand Line, his crew had miraculously emerged unscathed. They stumbled upon an island rich in resources—ships, treasure, food, and fresh water—everything they could possibly need.
And now, as their supplies dwindled, fate had presented them with another idyllic island.
"We'll take everything," Tiger growled, his eyes gleaming with greed. His crew cheered, preparing for another feast of plunder.
But what they didn't know was that this time, they had wandered straight into the lion's den.
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