The Black Rift Pirates sailed under the light of the sun, the vessel cutting through the dark blue waves like a slashing blade. The war tension previously built up had finally gone, and peace existed for the first time in days on the vessel.
Solian stood at the front, arms crossed as he looked out into the horizon. The ocean wind blew through his coat, and a cunning smile danced on his lips. Their previous win had elevated them from nobodies to a bonafide crew that could be recognized. But for them to take their next step, he needed to know his crew.
He spoke to Jorin and Drayce, who were standing there. "We've been fighting since we left that Marine base. Now that we're out of there, it's time to focus on something equally important—getting familiar with our crew. If we're going to work together, we need to trust each other completely."
Jorin agreed, his keen eyes sweeping over the deck. "Granted. We've witnessed their proficiency at battle, but we don't know them personally."
Drayce smiled, leaning against the mast. "Then let's get to know them. A good crew isn't always about brawn—it's about loyalty."
Getting to Know the Crew
Later in the afternoon, Solian brought the entire crew on deck. The six of them stood in an informal circle, the crash of the sea in their ears shattering the brief silence.
Kael stretched out, cracking his knuckles. "So we're bonding or something?"
"Something like that," Solian said. "I'd like each of you to introduce yourselves on who you are, what you desire, and why you signed up with this crew. We're in this together, so let's not be strangers."
Kael – The Rust-Worn Fighter
Kael got his mouth open first, his grin increasing. "Well, I'm Kael, and I ate the Rust-Rust Fruit. I can rust over weapons, armor, even people if I want to. Why I'm a part of it is kinda simple—I wanna knock over whoever feels like they're better than everything else. Nothing lasts, and I'll make sure."
Solian nodded. Kael's ability was deadly, and his violent nature made him a threat. But there was more to him than devastation—he was harboring a grudge against the powerful, though he wasn't ready to explain why yet.
Vance – The Recoil Fighter
Vance, the bruiser who had used the Recoil-Recoil Fruit, followed. He leaned himself back against a box, arms crossed. "I don't think in wasting strength, so I make every hit count. My Devil Fruit lets me hold and redirect strength, so the more you hit me, the harder I hit you." He grinned. "And why am I here? I like to beat up tough guys, and this crew looks like they'll give me some competition."
Jorin smiled. "So you're just here for the rush?"
Vance shrugged. "What else is there?"
Dreyse – The Void Assassin
The last to say anything was Dreyse, the most introverted of the group. His Void-Void Fruit allowed him to control spatial distortions, which he could employ to create void pockets to neutralize attacks and even parts of objects. He adjusted the cloth on his arm and finally said something.
"I don't have much to say," he admitted, his voice steady. "I was a bounty hunter before this. I joined because Solian is different—he fights for purpose, not greed or power. If I'm going to follow anyone, it'll be a captain who's willing to upset the world's balance."
That reaction made Solian shoot an eyebrow upwards. He hadn't realized he was someone disrupting the balance—not yet, anyway.
Strengthening the Crew's Bonds
As the sun set, the crew continued talking, sharing war stories and battle strategies. For the first time, they weren't just warriors shoulder to shoulder—they were comrades.
Solian gazed at his men, satisfied. They were strong, but now they needed to be united. The waters ahead of them were dangerous, and if they were going to survive, they needed to be something more than a group of strong men—they had to be a real crew.
And that was only the beginning.