Who is the Little Pirate?
"Wait, wait."
Yang Ning's pupils contracted; this name startled him twice.
The D. Clan was one thing, but Esdeath?
For the first time, Yang Ning carefully scanned the silver-haired swordsman from head to toe.
He was a little over 1.7 meters tall, with long legs that seemed disproportionate compared to ordinary people, and a strikingly handsome face so androgynous that it was hard to tell male from female, framed by silver eyebrows and piercing silver eyes.
He did resemble Esdeath in some ways.
But it was only a coincidence—they shared a name. Yang Ning's surprise lasted only a moment before he quickly returned to normal.
With Yang Ning's help, Esdeath's belongings were quickly moved aboard the Windbreaker, and the ship finally set sail once again.
Old Johnny asked the question that always followed:
"Where are we going?"
Yang Ning glanced at the Krieg Pirates' sea chart and pointed at a small island.
"What's this… Seymour Chiki Village?"
He couldn't recall exactly where it was, though the name seemed vaguely familiar.
Old Johnny squinted at the map, pondering for a moment before speaking in an uncertain tone:
"That place… it's dangerous. The Krieg Pirates lost several ships there. I heard it's the territory of a swordsman—someone called Frostmoon."
Yang Ning's eyes widened in excitement:
"Shigetsuki Koushiro?!"
Johnny clenched his right fist and slammed it into his left palm:
"Yes! That swordsman's name is Shimotsuki Koushiro."
"Then let's go there! We're going to that island!"
Yang Ning's excitement bubbled over as he poked at the small black dot on the map. Zoro's hometown? Amazing. Frostmoon Village wasn't just picturesque—it was a treasure trove for a swordsman like him.
Koushiro was known to accept disciples for a fee. If he could get a quality sword there, it would be like obtaining a god-tier item at the starting village. Koushiro's father, Kousaburo, had forged legendary blades such as Ame no Habakiri and Enma.
Yang Ning drew his long sword, inspecting its worn, nicked blade. He desperately needed a proper weapon.
Life at sea could be monotonous. The endless blue sky and ocean sometimes became dizzying. Occasional rough waves made the small ship dangerous, and countless times Yang Ning feared they might perish in the swell.
Fortunately, Old Johnny was an expert sailor and guided the Windbreaker safely through the waves.
During the voyage, they encountered massive sea monsters—Godzilla-sized creatures bursting from the water, their heads larger than the ship itself.
The first time, Yang Ning froze in terror. Strength didn't matter in the face of a creature this enormous; fear was instinct. The second time, he trembled, barely drawing his sword. By the third encounter, at dusk with the sun glittering on the waves, he finally acted.
"Starfire Blade!"
Imbued with the Soul-Sucking Pain Strike, his ranged attack became a streak of blazing light, slicing through the sea toward a Minotaur-like monster—its head of a bull, body resembling an octopus, several times the size of Godzilla.
"Moo!"
The Starfire Blade struck true, severing half the creature's head. Yet its octopus-like resilience kept it thrashing violently. Waves crashed against the Windbreaker, making Yang Ning queasy.
"Swish! Swish!"
He unleashed two more Starfire Blades—one severing the head completely, the other piercing the body. The beast finally ceased its struggle, floating lifelessly in the bloodied water.
Esdeath, standing behind him, watched in complex silence.
If one were to call Yang Ning a swordsman, his crude style would argue against it. But his devastating flying slashes left no doubt about his power. Even the local swordsman aboard the ship would question their own abilities.
Yang Ning, oblivious to Esdeath's judgment, organized his men to salvage the sea king. A creature part bull, part octopus—what would it taste like? Beef was his favorite, and grilled octopus his absolute favorite. Combined? Heaven.
He consumed ten plates of sashimi before he and a few men set up a stove for a proper clear water hot pot. Surprisingly, Esdeath, usually stoic, displayed excellent culinary skill.
"I've lived alone for years," she explained simply, "I've gotten used to handling all the cooking myself."
A little heartbreaking, but Yang Ning couldn't help but give her a mental thumbs up. Without her, the ship's meals would be miserable.
As they enjoyed the meal, Silly, perched atop the lookout tower, called out:
"A pirate ship is approaching!"
Yang Ning frowned, annoyed at the interruption.
"Do you know which crew it is?"
Silly tilted his head, confused. Yang Ning slapped his forehead—of course, Silly was mentally limited.
He sent Old Johnny to check. Being the only experienced pirate aboard, Johnny returned shortly after, relaxed.
"It's the Twin Gun Pirates. Only the captain has a bounty of 5 million."
"Ah." Yang Ning grabbed a slice of meat, devoured it, and stood, bracing himself.
"You guys eat. I'll go handle this."
Esdeath followed, gripping her greatsword.
"These pirates shouldn't be too strong. I'll help," she said.
Yang Ning shook his head:
"Our ship is too small. No need for them to make it messy."
Esdeath nodded, quiet and obedient.
Less than five nautical miles away, the Twin Gun Pirates' ship approached—a vessel larger than the Windbreaker, with two long cannons at the bow. Every pirate aboard carried dual pistols, the longest belonging to their captain, Double-Pistol Iverson.
"Hehehe," the captain chuckled, stroking his long parted beard, feigning pity:
"You greenhorn pirates. You're unlucky to run into me."