The sea stretched out before them to infinity, the waves rolling under the rising sun. Solian and his men stood on the deck, wind whipping through their clothes. Their prey was within reach.
Jorin brought down the spyglass, his expression grim. "There they are," he snarled. "The Crimson Reaver Pirates."
Moored a short distance from a hidden cove, a squadron of three pirate ships rode the seas. The largest, a massive red-hulled leviathan, sported sails bearing a sigil of a crimson-red skull. This was the Crimson Fang, the pirate vessel of Dagon "Red Wave" Karros, pirate lord with an 80-million Berry value.
"They've got scouts reconnoitering," Kael commented, tapping his fingers on the ship's railing. "This won't be easy."
Solian smiled. "Good. I wouldn't want it to be."
The four Crimson Reaver Pirates commanders each had a bounty of more than 40 million Berries. Their crew was packed with powerful fighters, each of whom had a bounty of 5 to 15 million Berries. If they wanted that summoning ticket, they'd have to beat all of them.
Solian cracked his knuckles. "Let's get this started."
Ambush on the Open Sea
The crew had everything planned out. Instead of taking a hit at both the two smaller vessels simultaneously, they'd use their speed to take down the smaller boats first.
"Jorin, make a left arc around to the left flank. Vance, get ready to destroy their rudders," Solian ordered.
The Recoil Fruit wielder smiled. "Right ahead."
As their ship came into position, the Crimson Reavers finally spotted them. A warning bell rang out from the smallest of their three ships.
"Here they come!"
Cannons fired. Explosions rocked the sea.
"Kael!" Solian shouted.
Kael flung up both arms. "Rust Surge!"
A wave of rust washed across the air, corroding the incoming cannonballs in mid-air. By the time they struck Solian's ship, they were nothing but crumbling fragments of useless metal.
"Now!" Solian roared.
Vance leaped in a grin of kinetic energy, his hands exploding with power.
Striking the enemy deck, his palm dropped in a thunderous crash.
BOOM!
A shockwave propagated out, shattering wooden planks and tearing the rudder asunder from beneath.
"Blown their steering!" Vance bellowed.
Jorin veered their ship to one side, avoiding a second salvo of cannonball explosions.
"Right," Solian snarled, teeth bared. "Let's take 'em out!"
First Blood
As soon as their ship moored side by side the initial enemy vessel, Jorin manned up. With one stroke of his Blade Stretch, he split the foe's mast and drove crew members fleeing.
A huge pirate worth 15 million Berries charged headfirst, wielding an immense spiked club.
"You think you can—"
Jorin's blade flashed. The pirate barely had time to register what happened before his weapon split apart, rusting into dust.
Kael smirked. "Guess you're unarmed now."
Before the enemy could react, Kael slammed his fist into his gut, sending him flying across the deck.
Vance took care of the rest, bouncing between pirates, redirecting attacks with his Recoil Fruit and sending enemies crashing into each other.
"One ship down," Jorin called out.
"Good," Solian said. His eyes flickered with golden light. "Now for the real fight."
The Crimson Fang Joins the Battle
The moment their first ship was disabled, the Crimson Fang turned towards them.
A deep, rumbling voice echoed across the sea.
"So, you're the ones causing trouble."
At the bow of his flagship was Dagon "Red Wave" Karros. His large frame, enshrouded in a rich red coat, gave him the look of a warlord. His black hair was slicked back on his skull, his beard neatly trimmed, and his scarred fists grasped the handle of a huge cutlass.
At his side were his four commanders, each giving off a killing aura.
"You were an idiot to have come here," Dagon bellowed. "You aren't going out alive."
Solian grinned. "We shall see."
Fighting was starting to break out.