[20ps]
Three days.
That was how long Rael had stayed on the island of Dawnshore, and in that short time, the very foundation of the town had changed.
Corrupt Marines who had extorted poor fishermen were lying in the dirt, groaning and bruised.
Pirates who had tried to drag women from taverns and markets found themselves shattered and broken, their weapons scattered like twigs.
The Marine Captain, a pompous brute named Harvick who had ruled the port with an iron fist, was left dangling upside-down from the town bell tower with a sign across his chest that read:
"Try touching an innocent again."
The people rejoiced in whispers. They didn't know who Rael was. Some called him a demon hunter, others, a fallen Celestial Dragon, and even a few dared call him a vengeful god.
But Rael never said a word to them. He took no reward, claimed no throne.
He simply walked into the night.
The next day, Rael stood on the deck of a small ship, stolen—no, reclaimed—from a pirate who had once used it to smuggle weapons. Now, the vessel bore no flags, no banners, and no trace of its past crimes.
Rael named it "Ashen Gale."
The wind was steady, the sky clear, and the sea vast.[System Notice]
Current Karma Points: 45
Notoriety: Low
Destination: Windspire Island – Arrival in 2 hours
Rumor Log Updated – New Keywords Detected: "Straw Hat Pirates"Rael raised an eyebrow.
"Straw Hat Pirates?"
He leaned back against the wooden railing of the ship, golden eyes narrowing in thought.
"Never heard of them…"[System Notice]
Local fame increasing. Rumors spreading among civilians and low-level pirates. Keywords linked to major pirate events. Recommended: Observe.Windspire Island
Two hours later, the Ashen Gale docked at Windspire.
As Rael stepped off the ship, heads turned.
He was barefoot, wearing tattered black pants, a sleeveless open coat with silver trim, exposing a shredded, muscular torso. His skin was pale, almost glowing faintly in the sunlight. Strange black lines like ancient runes ran across his arms and chest, pulsating slowly like a heartbeat.
His hair was pitch black, messy but majestic, with strands flowing slightly even when there was no breeze. His golden eyes glowed faintly under thick lashes—calm, but filled with something primal.
He looked like a prince of death, calm and regal… and terrifying.
Women blushed and looked away quickly. Children stopped playing and stared wide-eyed. Even the burliest of dockworkers instinctively moved aside.
"Who… is he…?" someone whispered.
"He's not from here… I heard he crushed a whole garrison of Marines on Dawnshore."
"I heard he took down thirty pirates in one night…"
Rael ignored them all. His attention was on the whispers that followed him—rumors, fragmented and half-formed.
"…they say the Straw Hats took down a Warlord…"
"…I heard they burned down Enies Lobby…"
"…that Luffy guy… he's made of rubber??"
Rael paused, intrigued.
"Rubber?" he muttered. "That's… new."[System Notice]
Quest Available: Learn about the Straw Hat Pirates
Reward: Map Fragment | Information Boost | Temporary Skill Seal LiftHe accepted the quest with a thought, curious now.
Rael wandered into town. Windspire was livelier than Dawnshore, filled with traders, travelers, and bounty hunters. Exotic fruits, rare weapons, and flashy clothes lined the stalls. The smell of fried seafood and spices filled the air.
But beneath the surface—he felt it. The tension.
Pirates watching from rooftops. Marines patrolling in tight formations. Civilians keeping their heads down.
The world was boiling beneath its skin.
That night, Rael sat at the edge of a cliff just outside town, the ocean stretching endlessly before him. Moonlight bathed him in silver glow.[System Notice]
Presence Detected – Unknown Observer. Risk: Minimal.
Do you wish to engage?"No," Rael whispered. "Not yet. Let them watch."
The wind tugged at his coat, and the sound of distant waves crashing filled the air.
The name "Straw Hat Pirates" echoed in his mind.
A crew that defied the World Government? A captain who could stretch his limbs and defeat warlords?
"…Interesting."
He smirked, eyes gleaming in the night.
"I wonder if they're worth the rumors…"
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