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The Elysian sliced through calm blue waters, her sails full and white against the late-morning sky. Long Ring Long Land shrank in the distance, a pale line fading into mist. The island's laughter, the lanterns, the fights — all of it was behind them now.
Kaya leaned on the railing, wind in her hair, the faint sting of sea salt on her skin. "It feels good to be moving again," she said softly.
Vivi stood beside her, adjusting her gloves. "We earned this breeze. I still can't believe we fought off a whole crew by ourselves."
Robin smiled faintly from where she sat, reading on a crate. "You believed enough when it mattered. That's what counts."
Rael was at the helm, hands resting lightly on the wheel. His eyes never stopped scanning the horizon — always searching, always alert. But for once, there was a small ease in his expression.
"Water 7," he said, mostly to himself. "City of Shipwrights. It's been a long time."
Kaya turned. "You've been there before?"
Rael nodded slightly. "Years ago. Different name, different job."
Vivi glanced over. "Something tells me that job wasn't peaceful."
He gave a quiet laugh. "You're learning."
The girls shared a smile, the tension of the last few days easing between them. The air smelled of sea and sun and promise — until the sound of a soft thud broke the calm.
A messenger gull landed on the railing beside Rael, a rolled-up paper tied to its leg. It pecked at the wood impatiently.
Robin rose and untied the note. Her brow furrowed as she read.
"What is it?" Kaya asked.
Robin's voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp. "A bounty update. Someone new was added to the wanted list." She turned the paper toward them.
There, among the fresh ink and official stamps, was a familiar face.
Rael of the Black Cross – 320,000,000 Berries
Kaya's breath caught. "Three hundred and twenty million? That's—"
"Too public," Rael muttered, jaw tightening. "The Cipher Pol didn't just fail. They told the world."
Vivi frowned. "You said they'd send more."
"They will," he said. "But not like before. This time, they'll use noise. Attention."
Robin folded the paper neatly, tucking it into her book. "You've drawn their eyes. That means ours too."
Rael glanced at her, a quiet question behind his look.
She met it evenly. "If we're traveling with a man worth that much, it's only a matter of time before the wrong kind of people notice."
Vivi crossed her arms. "Let them come. We'll handle them."
Kaya smiled nervously. "I'd rather not, but… we're not helpless anymore."
Rael looked at the three of them — calm, capable, no longer just travelers following him but allies who could hold their own. His lips curved into a faint, proud smile.
"You've changed," he said.
Robin's tone softened. "We had a good teacher."
The wind picked up, catching the sails. Ahead, the faint outline of a sprawling city began to appear on the horizon — Water 7, gleaming like a crown of stone and canals beneath the sunlight.
As they drew closer, the sound of hammers and waves mingled in the air — the heartbeat of the shipwrights' city. Seagulls circled above, and the water shimmered with the reflections of moving platforms and rising towers.
Kaya leaned over the bow, eyes wide. "It's beautiful."
"It's also dangerous," Rael said quietly. "A city this busy hides more secrets than the sea beneath it."
Robin's gaze drifted toward the shipyards. "Then we'll have to see whose secrets are waiting."
The Elysian glided into the outer port as the sun began to sink, painting the city gold. Workers shouted, ropes swung, and ships from every corner of the seas crowded the docks.
As the anchor dropped, Rael's eyes narrowed slightly. Standing at the far end of the dock was a man in a black coat, watching their ship — not moving, not speaking, just watching.
Robin followed his gaze. "Old friend?"
Rael shook his head. "No. Someone's scout."
Vivi's hand brushed her whip. "So it begins again?"
Rael nodded, his voice low. "It never stopped."
The Elysian settled against the dock, the crew stepping onto the bridge that led into the city of Water 7.
Behind them, the waves lapped gently against the hull — calm, for now.
Ahead, the city waited, alive with noise and light.
And somewhere within it, someone was already planning their next move.
---
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