The next morning...

  Sunny’s brother was on his way to visit his daughter’s guests, crossing a vast expanse of cornfields. Anika’s hut stood at the edge of the field, not far from the small granary and a windmill.

  Zak was still asleep under the thatched overhang at the entrance to the little house, his hat pulled down over his face as he lay in a mesh hammock. Sunny and Miko were visibly asleep inside, while Leen, already awake, lingered in the doorway. Her gaze hovered over Zak’s resting form, her fingers idly tightening around the doorframe. When he stirred slightly, she straightened, her breath hitching for just a moment before she looked away, shifting her weight as if suddenly aware of herself. Occasionally, she glanced toward Anika, who was arranging corn stalks on the floor, but her attention always drifted back.

  Baka appeared from one of the footpaths running through the field, trailed by a few villagers.

  At the sight of them, Anika happily approached, while Sunny had already stepped in front of the house, now wide awake. He greeted his brother and his companions. Then it was Zak’s turn, followed by Miko, to be woken from their weary slumber.

  It was a sunlit morning under a mostly clear sky. The leaves glowed a warm green as the corn plants swayed in the morning breeze. The island’s few birds sang, pecking at corn seeds from their stalks. The smell of smoke from grilled game and fish, along with the scent of smoked corn, filled a jovial atmosphere.

  “Sir Baka,” Zak began, his mouth full.

  “How would you like the idea of increasing your village’s population by one?” He pointed at himself, looking amused and delighted.

  “You’re all welcome, brother,” Sunny’s brother said with a friendly smile as the villagers approved with joyful laughter.

  The cheerful mood lasted until a young man came running up.

  “A ship! A ship!” he gasped, nearly stumbling as he fought for breath.

  Everyone stiffened, ears perked as their hearts pounded.

  “A big ship! It’ll be at our shore by tonight,” he managed between gasps.

  Sunny, who had been standing relaxed moments before, jolted upright.

  “Did you see the flag?” he asked, his voice edged with urgency.

  “It was a bit blurred, even with the spyglass… but the ship has gigantic midnight-blue sails,” the young man informed them. A cold hush fell over the gathering as Zak and Leen stood, not grasping the terror that was plainly visible in others’ eyes.

  Sunny’s expression darkened as he looked back at his brother, and the two shared a long, wordless stare.

  Hastily back in the village, terrified, some villagers were already awaiting Baka. Some mothers had picked up their children, while others were urgently packing.

  “Take all you can, my brothers and sisters!” Baka shouted.

  “Oboya, lead the sentries and conduct everyone to the caves!” He ordered urgently as he headed for the village gate, his brother and companions trailing behind.

  After a long trek through the woods, Sunny, his brother, Zak, Leen, and some villagers perched on a high elevation. The trees discreetly veiled them, offering a view of the coast. To their surprise, the ship was already anchored near the shore, with longboats struggling against the waves, filled with passengers neatly seated as they rowed toward the beach.

  “The World Navy!” Sunny exclaimed, without a spyglass. The fear in his eyes was unmistakable.

  “But you said they’d be here in the evening!” snarled one of the villagers at the early messenger.

  “Take it easy, Makou. You know the World Navy doesn’t have ordinary ships,” Baka said, calming the man.

  “Where’s my ship?” Sunny asked, noticing it was nowhere on the shore.

  “We couldn’t afford to draw attention,” a sentry replied.

  Baka was troubled.

  “They’ve never been in our vicinity… why now?” questioned an older villager.

  “We can’t find out now. We need to run to safety,” Baka said urgently and crossed the concerning eyes of his brother.

  “If they’ve never been here before, why don’t we wait to find out why they’ve come? It could be anything—training, a base settlement…” Sunny suggested, his concern reflected on every face.

  “No! We’ll hide with the others and wait until they leave,” Baka disagreed firmly.

  “It’ll take them all day to reach this level, so we don’t have much time,” he warned, already moving.

  “Normally, the World Navy’s sphere of action stops at Bherton!” Zak said.

  Noticing Leen’s questioning look, he added,

  “I’ve never been to the west seas, so I educated myself before coming here.”

  “That’s true,” Baka confirmed as he stopped.

  “In more than ten years, their ships have never sailed near our sea.”

  “So why now? Don’t you think we should stay around to find out?” Sunny pressed, his face hardened.

  “Sorry to intervene, but have you had issues with them before?” Leen asked.

  Sunny and his brother exchanged a dark glance.

  Zak noticed, frowned, and asked,

  “When was the last time?”

  “We don’t have time to talk about that. Let’s all go back and help with the evacuation,” Baka dodged the question and started walking away.

  Sunny quickly took the spyglass from his brother’s hand and observed the beach. The first boats had reached the shore, and troops were already disembarking. Their navy uniforms consisted of bright blue shirts, dark blue pants, and boots. Dark blue brimless caps covered their heads as they moved in formation across the white sand, armed with rifles.

  Sunny watched closely, then suddenly made an expression that said, I thought so.

  Through the lens, Dodd’s late commander’s face was clear—he stood on the beach amidst the soldiers, observing the landscape.

  “The Duke?” Zak asked, his heart racing as he saw Sunny’s face and promptly snatched the spyglass. Baka and the villagers halted.

  “The Duke’s commanding man!” Zak exclaimed as he spotted Rega on the beach among the navy men.

  “So they’re here for the boy,” Baka said, his gaze locking onto Sunny, who stood in heavy silence, his broad chest rising and falling rapidly beneath his tank top.

  “Nothing will stop them until they get what they came for,” Baka added, his voice grave.

  “How in the world did they track me?” Sunny muttered, lost in thought.

  “They can’t take the boy!” Zak declared firmly.

  “Of course they can’t,” Sunny affirmed.

  “Then we have to fight!” Baka uttered as he reapproached.

  Sunny’s face immediately hardened.

  “No…” he barked, his voice making the men startle.

  “This shouldn’t involve any of you.” He turned to the villagers.

  “This is not just an adversary… It’s hell upon you. Join your families and get to safety. I need my ship.”

  Surprisingly, the villagers stood firm, their chests rising with determination.

  “I know what you’re feeling, brother. But if they’re really here for the boy… you know no one is safe anymore—especially if we are hiding,” Baka reasoned.

  “We already know how to defend ourselves against dangerous and violent pirates,” he continued, but Sunny cut him off.

  “The World Navy’s soldiers are horribly violent and bloodthirsty! You know that very well, brother!” Sunny reminded him.

  “I have the sentinels. I’ve trained them for situations like this,” Baka assured him, the sentries nodding in approval.

  “But—” Sunny started.

  “I want you to change, but not in a way that makes you run from a fight when it’s the only option,” Baka said.

  “Like the old days… we can resist. Because if we let them reach the village, we’re all doomed anyway.”

  “Whatever the plan is, let’s execute it quickly. They’re coming—” Leen warned, peering through the spyglass.

  “Sunny, I need you to trust me… and listen to me, please,” Baka urged, placing his palm on his brother’s chest.

  Sunny looked around at every determined face before his shoulders relaxed.

  Baka took on an enthusiastic tone as they headed back to the village.

  "We've already fought against other pirate and won!" he said as the group hastily walked between the trees.

  "But those are navy soldiers, not pirates! They're educated people—in other words, intelligent and very strategic..." Baka continued.

  "They don’t think like us. They're logical and observant. In other words, they’re methodical. But they don’t know this island like we do—" he explained, smiling.

  "So what do we do?" Leen interrupted eagerly.

  "We use this against them," Baka merely responded.

  "And how do we do that?" Zak asked.

  "My dear brothers, let’s go and prepare a welcome for our unwelcomed guests," Baka said, walking ahead. The smile on Sunny’s face showed his admiration for his brother’s strategic mind, but the heavy grief still weighed on him.

  A Few Moments Later...

  The navy arrived in the trees a little earlier than expected, moving in formation with their rifles aimed in all directions. They climbed the rugged slopes, rifles raised, their boots crunching against loose gravel.

  Stolen story; please report.

  In the well-known woods, Baka and the villagers watched their advance without the intruders noticing. Each sentry, posted in specific spots, uncovered massive woven ropes camouflaged to nearly match the ground. These ropes were part of large nets holding back huge rocks. Armed with knives, the sentries stood poised, discreetly observing the advancing soldiers.

  A deep silence filled the air—no birds sang through the trees. The sun blazed over the island, and despite the climbing difficulties, the well-trained World Navy soldiers pushed forward, stepping over sharp, jagged rocks.

  Once the soldiers reached a certain level, and after Baka’s go-ahead, each sentry cut his rope.

  Then, from somewhere above, they heard it.

  A low, distant tumbling.

  They stopped, glancing around. Small pebbles skittered past their feet. Nothing alarming—just a few loose stones. They resumed their advance.

  Suddenly, the distant rumbling grew closer. Dust rose ahead of them, mixed with cascading stones, forcing them to shield themselves.

  Then, through the dusty air, a massive, jagged boulder emerged from the haze above.

  Panic shattered their formation.

  “Fall back! Fall back!”

  The first soldiers turned, shouting as they shoved past one another in a frantic retreat. But before they could escape, more boulders crashed down, bounding unpredictably.

  One of them smashed into a tree. The thick trunk snapped in half with a sickening crack, toppling directly onto the soldiers who had run to the side for cover.

  The tree crashed with a deafening thud, its massive branches impaling men like wooden spears. One soldier had just enough time to scream before a thick branch pierced clean through his chest, blood spraying onto the stunned men behind him. Another, trapped beneath the trunk, twitched violently as the crushing weight collapsed his ribs.

  The remaining soldiers tried to change direction, pushing backward, only to see another boulder bouncing wildly down the slope.

  It leaped into the air, soaring over a squad of fleeing men—before dropping straight onto an unlucky soldier.

  A wet, crunching impact.

  The boulder obliterated him instantly, his body reduced to an unrecognizable smear before rolling over more men, dragging them down the slope before vanishing into the dust.

  Some boulders tore through trees, sending splinters flying like a storm of arrows. The sound of wood shattering was followed by screams as jagged shards impaled arms, throats, and faces.

  A senior soldier grabbed a cadet, yanking him up from the dirt.

  “Get up! Move—”

  A sharp whistle tore through the air.

  A thick, jagged shard of wood punched through the back of his neck, tearing clean through his throat and jutting out the front in a spray of blood.

  The cadet froze in horror, his breath caught in his chest as he watched the soldier’s eyes bulge in shock. Blood poured down his uniform, his trembling fingers clawing weakly at the splintered wood.

  A wet, choking gasp escaped his lips. His rifle slipped from his grip, hitting the dirt. His knees buckled, and with one last gurgling rasp, he collapsed, twitching as his life drained away.

  More screams erupted around him.

  One soldier collapsed to his knees, a jagged shard lodged in his eye socket, twitching for a moment before falling still.

  The surviving soldiers ran blindly, directionless, no longer thinking—just running. And in their blind panic, they became their own worst enemy.

  One soldier tried to sprint through the chaos but slammed into another at full speed, both tumbling down a slope of jagged rocks. Skulls cracked, bones snapped—neither got up.

  Others ran wildly, colliding into trees, crashing into the undergrowth, clawing at vines like drowning men.

  One man, drenched in sweat and blood, sprinted blindly into the jungle. His breathing was ragged, his heart pounding so loud it drowned out the screams around him. He only saw shapes—dark trunks, flashes of green, the sun piercing through the leaves.

  Then—sudden impact.

  A sharp, dry branch caught him square in the face.

  It punched through his eye socket, tearing through soft tissue, bursting out the back of his skull.

  For a brief, horrible moment, he remained standing, impaled against the tree. His remaining eye twitched, his mouth hung open as if trying to scream—but only a wet gurgle escaped.

  Blood dripped down the bark, and his limbs went slack while the branch held him upright, a grotesque trophy of the jungle.

  Behind him, more men tripped, stumbled, and fell into the chaos, crashing over the dead, getting caught in the underbrush, some trampled by their own comrades.

  More rocks tumbled intermittently, designed to make the attack appear as a natural landslide.

  From their vantage point, Baka and his companions felt the ground tremble beneath them as the thunderous roar of descending rocks echoed through the trees. They heard trees shattering, soldiers screaming—and their cries of agony.

  Another wave of navy soldiers attempted to climb, but they met the same fate. With the ascent proving impossible, the captain ordered a retreat. Many of his men were seriously wounded, broken in excruciating pain—some crushed to death. They didn’t suspect a human attack, believing instead that the slopes were simply too dangerous to climb, that no man could ever reach the summit.

  Later that night on the beach, the soldiers set up camp...

  Beneath the cloudy night sky, the waning moon shone brighter, but its light was frequently obstructed by fast-moving clouds, and the stars struggled to sparkle.

  Rega stood, watching the island’s landscape with frustration. Behind him, the tents wavered against the strong sea winds. Groups of soldiers sat around fires—some chatting and laughing—but their voices were quickly drowned out by the crashing waves. Those are, the wounded that had already received assistance, while others remained active, tending to those still in grave condition.

  Rega moved between the tents, crossing paths with two soldiers—one young, hobbling on a makeshift crutch, the other supporting him. The young soldier’s right leg was heavily bandaged, the once-white fabric soaked with blood. They looked at Rega with reverence as he passed, but his attention was fixed ahead—where he spotted the captain emerging from a tent with an officer.

  Rega hastily caught up with the man, who pretended not to notice him. He fell in step beside the captain, his expression tense.

  “Captain, they can only be on this island! The device led us in this direction—” Rega said, trailing the man, who was draped in a complete midnight-blue uniform.

  “The device...” the captain muttered dismissively, barely acknowledging him.

  “It’s also the only solid ground that’s least remote!” Rega argued, struggling to keep up.

  The captain, troubled and upset, strode through the camp. His eyes flickered across his suffering soldiers—men still writhing in pain from their wounds. But when his gaze fell upon the fallen, their bodies covered with navy cloaks, his features hardened. Shame and guilt churned inside him, making it difficult to meet his men’s eyes.

  “You said ‘least remote’—what if they’re already far away?” The captain finally addressed Rega’s argument as he entered a spacious tent. Inside, a soldier lay on a table, sobbing and struggling against the grip of his comrades. His right leg was completely crushed—jagged bone fragments protruding from the mangled flesh.

  A medical officer stood over him, gripping a saw.

  Then—he began.

  The soldier’s screams tore through the air as the saw bit into his leg. He thrashed violently, his comrades barely holding him down. Blood poured onto the table, splattering across their uniforms.

  The captain stood frozen, watching in horror. His stomach churned. He swiftly covered his mouth as nausea gripped him—then turned on his heel and left the tent. The soldier’s horrific screams followed him outside, echoing into the night.

  “You see that young man?” the captain said bitterly, walking through the camp. Rega trailed behind.

  “He was a good soldier. He told me, the first day we met, that it was his dream to serve in the navy...” His voice darkened.

  “And I stole it from him today.”

  Rega cut in.

  “Do you really think those falling rocks were natural? They’re there! I don’t know how, but I’m sure of it.”

  The captain halted, his eyes narrowing.

  “So, this time, we’re not trusting your device—we’re trusting you?” he snapped.

  “What would The Duke think if he learned of your indetermination regarding his mission?” Rega countered coldly, his words laced with threat.

  The captain stiffened. He was a man with something to answer for, and they both knew it.

  “I led my soldiers on an unofficial mission... Don’t you hear their screams?” the captain said, overwhelmed. But his words were directed more at himself than at Rega—the ever-unyielding envoy of Dodd.

  Rega remained close to him, weaving through the tents without a shred of compassion for the suffering men around him. His only focus was ensuring the mission’s success.

  “We—” he started, but the captain swiftly cut him off.

  “I’ll give you twenty soldiers to continue the mission. I have to return to Archovic Base. That’s all I can do,” the captain said, his voice tight with constraint as he unbuttoned the top of his uniform to breathe easier.

  “We’ll be back in two days at dawn. If you’re not on the beach by then...” His tone darkened.

  “I’ll know you’re dead.”

  Rega frowned.

  “What about your men?”

  “I never said I was going to pick them up for,” the captain replied coldly.

  “Those who want to, will follow you.” as he walked away without a look at Rega, who stood frozen.

  Back to the village...

  The villagers gathered in the courtyard, some standing outside the entrance of their huts, belongings packed, tense and frustrated as they waited for Baka and the others to return.

  Women and children, for the most part, were absent. When the defense group finally returned, it was announced that the intruders had retreated. Their faces lit up with wide smiles as they celebrated in hushed tones.

  Baka had ordered a group of sentries to watch over the navy’s camp, keeping track of their every movement. From their vantage point, they observed as a rapid retreat unfolded.

  On the beach, the navy moved in a hurry but with precision. Their camp, once spread across the sand like an occupation, was now being dismantled with swift, practiced efficiency. Tents were taken down, supplies gathered, weapons secured—but first came the dead.

  The fallen were lined up on the sand, their bodies covered with navy cloaks. Before they were moved, a brief ritual took place. Officers walked between the rows, four pausing at each fallen comrade. A superior officer shouted words that the sea wind carried away in unclear whispers to the sentries.

  Then, the soldiers moved. In solemn formations, they lifted the dead onto their shoulders, carrying them down to the water where the waiting boats sat on the sand just before the surf. The waves washed over the beach gently, as if the sea itself mourned.

  The wounded came next—some limping, some held up by their comrades or using crutches, others laid onto stretchers. They were ferried with haste, the boats filling quickly before pushing off. Oars dipped into the water, pulling them toward the ship, which loomed just beyond the shallows, its dark silhouette framed against the slightly cloudy sky, the stretch of sea behind it reflecting the dim moonlight.

  Meanwhile, onshore, the remaining navy forces worked in a steady rhythm, breaking down the last of their camp, their urgency clear. Tents were packed, weapons gathered, supplies loaded into the final boats.

  The sand, once disturbed by their movements, was smoothed by the tide, eager to reclaim what had been taken. The last boat shoved off, its oars slicing through the waves.

  From their high vantage point, the sentries watched as the final boats reached the ship, its sails already unfurled. Soon, the ship woke from rest like a beast, its gigantic sails catching wind as it moved. The sea swallowed the ripples it left behind as it rapidly disappeared before the watching eyes of the sentries.

  The intruders were gone!

  The sentries wasted no time and rushed back with the news to the village, now celebrating loudly. Soon, those who had taken shelter began returning in joy.

  In the main courtyard, the villagers gathered around a wood fire, its flames burning high. Baka explained to them the reason for this unexpected visit by the World Navy. Some villagers were quick to demand that Sunny and his companions leave, while others understood the need to protect the innocent young boy. This misunderstanding led to tension around the fire.

  Outside the gathering, Zak stood thoughtful, watching. Beside him, Miko sat cross-legged on the bare ground. Leen was behind them, sitting in a hut doorway, observing as well.

  ...this is not the best solution, Zak. I think he'd be safer with— This is the worst idea you've ever had! I'll take him to Beligram... but to Gado—he can help him...

  Zak glanced at the young boy, whose gaze was fixed on the villagers as if he understood the reason for the tension—him. Yet, his face displayed no emotion.

  Leen watched as Baka dragged Sunny out of the gathering and into a hut.

  "They're not going to let him stay here, are they?" Leen's voice spoke up suddenly.

  Zak remained silent for a moment, deep in thought.

  "No... not sure," he finally said.

  "So what's your plan now?" Leen asked.

  "I'll take him to Eastland," Zak said.

  "Eastland? Don't you think that trip is dangerous for... a boy?" Leen asked, glancing at Miko, her face suddenly creeping with concern.

  "I have a plan..." Zak replied shortly.

  "If it still involves taking him on that trip... it's not a good one," Leen said, frustrated. Zak remained silent again.

  Leen, thoughtful, finally spoke.

  "I may have a better option..."

  “And what’s that?” Zak asked, having no real interest in whatever idea she was about to suggest.

  “Let me take him with me. I know a place where he can be safe and have a home,” Leen said.

  Zak said nothing as he stood there, lost in thought.

  In Baka’s hut...

  A hanging lantern’s flame burned weakly, its glow dimly lighting Sunny’s and his brother's faces as they sat cross-legged, facing each other. Sunny’s face showed frustration, but Baka’s remained calm as they talked.

  “…I know it wasn’t your intention to drag your problems to the village, but as the leader of these poor people, I must ensure their safety as I promised,” he said, staring at his brother, calm and motionless as he continued.

  "I understand that, brother. Like you said, maybe this is my chance to forgive myself for the sins of the old me if I lead this boy to safety," Sunny said, and Baka became thoughtful.

  "The hunter thinks he'll be safe in Eastland. I'll need the token," Sunny added.

  "Eastland is a treacherous trip, even for a great pirate—”

  "But I'm not a pirate… not anymore," Sunny interrupted as his brother's face hardened.

  "I used to pray for you to be a good man… to quit piracy. But as the years passed, I realized how wrong I was," Baka said thoughtfully.

  "We may have the same blood running through our veins, but, Akwa, we are not the same as our path in this life," Baka continued.

  "I'm sorry if I ever looked at you like a stranger… I admit, I was scared of you because I saw you like everyone else did—with horror not as my brother," Baka admitted.

  "Please stop that, brother. I liked you because you spoke out to me when others were afraid of me," Sunny chuckled, uneasy.

  "You're a pirate, Akwa! It's your destiny," Baka said firmly.

  Sunny remained silent.

  "And more than ever, I believe this is your path, and you shouldn’t walk away from it. But it’s your choice, brother," Baka added.

  After a moment, he continued,

  "I've come to understand—being a good person is just a choice we make."

  Baka sighed.

  "I’ve heard your request. You’ll have the token… but I think you need more than that. With Dodd’s interest—or whatever it is—in that boy and the lengths he’ll go to get him back, your trip to Beligram won’t be easy. The captain Black Skull must return!"

  “But… but…” Sunny stammered, but Baka quickly cut him off.

  “This village is a pirate’s village! Many here have their dreams to feed, and I’d be more reassured if they pursued them with you,” Baka said, his face full of love and respect for his brother.

  "But I don’t have a big ship! Have you forgotten that this is what makes a captain worthy of the name?" Sunny protested.

  “Come, follow me!” Baka said, leading him outside.

  Accompanied by some villagers, Baka, Sunny, and his companions made their way through the woods under the moonlit night. Eventually, they entered a discreet mountain opening, leading into a vast cave where a few villagers were already gathered.

  Sunny’s eyes widened at the sight before him.

  Seawater flooded most of the cave, the ceiling lost in darkness. Torches lined the walls, dimly illuminating their steps. Resting on the water was a large, newly built wooden ship.

  "This was my first project, once we were safe and sound," Baka began, his voice heavy with emotion.

  "It was my way of grieving my brother… honoring your memory."

  He turned to Sunny.

  "It's your ship, my brother. It always has been!"

  Sunny stood motionless, his head heavy as he stared at the ship. Zak was simply relieved to have a quick way back to Beligram, while Leen remained indifferent.

  Baka stepped closer, patting his brother’s bare shoulder.

  "You can resume your adventures… pursue your dreams," Baka said, his heart filled with happiness.

  "The hull is reinforced with a double layer to withstand heat and cannon impacts—almost like the World Navy’s ships," Baka informed him.

  Using a gangplank, they climbed onto the deck. The ship was not yet fully rigged, its brisk deck scattered with sailcloths.

  "More space, more compartments, a larger arsenal," Baka praised.

  “This isn’t just a ship for pirates… you built a war machine!” Sunny said joyfully, running his fingers along the deck’s cannons.

  He strode to the captain’s cabin, sitting at the desk, his palms feeling the smooth wood. Baka watched him with happiness, his smile unwavering.

  Sunny took the walkway to the quarterdeck. As he placed his hands on the helm, he was overwhelmed with emotions and nostalgia. His eyes glistened with joy and gratitude for his older brother.

  Later in the Village...

  In front of Baka’s hut, Sunny, Zak, and Leen were asleep, while Miko was obviously inside. In fact, the whole village was asleep—except for Zak.

  …you can’t imagine! Since I came to the West Seas, I haven’t thought of her once! What if she gets married before we’re back? Possible…

  Zak dismissed the thought.

  I hope not! Ah ha! I pity you… when was the last time you saw her? Talked with her? You know it’s clearly impossible for the two of you to get married in any future— Do you smell that? Smell what? Smoke!

  Zak pulled his hat away from his face just as he saw villagers already fleeing their huts in panic.

  It was fire!

  “Fire! Fire!” the villagers shouted.

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