Heroes Living in the Present, Heroes Long Dead

"To be honest, judging from all the pirates we've encountered so far, that Francis Drake is very likely the same sort of person. Though she should be a woman, my opinion remains unchanged," Lawrence said cautiously and warily.

"But from another perspective, if we can secure the help of Captain Drake in this era, dealing with this Singularity may yield twice the results with half the effort." Mash looked at Lawrence with a smile.

"Mm, we'll play it by ear." Ritsuka nodded. "We're here."

As they neared the edge of the woods, the one-eyed pirate rushed ahead and shouted, "Hey—Boss! Boss!"

"I brought some guests!"

"They said they want to talk to you, Boss!"

Then, an impatient female voice came from within the woods.

"Huh? Who is it? Why'd they have to come when I'm happily drinking? Huh?" Drake had been lying on a wooden bench in an exceedingly unladylike pose, drinking, when she suddenly heard the flustered voice of her one-eyed first mate, Bonney.

Just as she was about to impatiently bark at the so-called visitors, she suddenly spotted something sparkling.

"Hey, are those... gems?" Drake fixed her gaze on the gems floating around the group.

"Ooh! Gems! Treasure!" The pirates in the open-air camp saw the jewels as well and immediately began to stir.

"Hey, idiots! Settle down!" Drake shouted.

At her command, the pirates immediately fell silent.

"As expected, she really is a woman," Mash whispered into Ritsuka's ear.

"Even though I was prepared for it, it's still surprising no matter how you put it." Ritsuka sighed.

Suddenly, Hijikata Toshizo stepped out from the group.

"Huh? Mr. Hijikata?"

"Hey, you lot, are you merchants? Or officers?" Drake called out. Watching Hijikata Toshizo approach, she gave him a sidelong glance. "You the one in charge?"

Hijikata Toshizo kept