It was their fifth day on the deserted island. The sea breeze was still gentle, the sky still a clear, washed blue, and the waves still broke against the cliffs in beautiful sprays of color.
But the three people stranded there were miserable. Every day, they watched the surrounding sea, hoping to spot a passing ship. Every day, their hopes were dashed.
It was as though the heavens were toying with them. They had seen no ships—not even a scrap of old wood.
Ye Chen, meanwhile, was recuperating in Cocoyasi Village. With three beautiful women at his side, he had a view every day that even the gods would envy.
He could admire Bellemere's spirited bearing, Nami's clever charm, and Nojiko's graceful beauty.
Lucci could only envy him. Ye Chen had food, drink, and lovely company. Lucci had gone five days and nights without a drop of water. He would have stuffed even a grass root or a strip of bark into his mouth without hesitation.
But the island held nothing but rock, cliffs, sand, and gravel, surrounded by an endless sea. There was nothing to eat or drink. Even swallowing his own saliva had become difficult.
Lucci leaned against a rock. His face was pale and his lips had long since cracked. He drew his gaze back from the distant sea and gave a bitter, self-mocking smile. "Captain, this is no way to live."
Lucci had been stranded on an island before, that time with Ye Chen. They had still been enemies bent on killing each other, but at least that island had trees and wild game everywhere. This time, there seemed to be no hope at all.
Lucci's eyes remained as sharp as a wolf's. He had not eaten a morsel in five days, but he had endured