The blood-red setting sun stained the azure sea a magnificent yet slightly desolate purplish crimson.
On the deck of Herman's Revenge, the sounds of wooden crates knocking together and ropes rubbing intertwined. Everyone was inventorying the supplies they had just plundered from the warship.
Dawn casually swept his gaze over the spoils piled on the deck before it settled on Lucci, who stood with his arms crossed beneath the shadow of the mainmast.
"You did all right this time. Barely a passing grade."
Compared to the savage beast he had been at first—one who, once battle began, became utterly immersed in the thrill of slaughter, often forgot the mission objective, and knew only to tear every living thing before him to pieces—Lucci at least remembered to replenish their supplies after the mission now. That was already tremendous progress.
At that, Lucci merely let out a faint snort through his nose. He did not even raise his eyelids, much less respond.
Dawn was not angered. He simply smiled and shook his head.
"Sir, we've reached the target island, but there seems to be a pirate ship by the shore."
At that moment, Kaku's voice came from the crow's nest, where he was temporarily serving as lookout. He still held the military navigation telescope they had seized from the warship. Even now, Kaku had not fully broken the habit he had developed at the CP training base of addressing his superiors as "sir."
Dawn raised an eyebrow slightly, curled a finger, and used gravity to move the telescope before him. He looked toward the lush island ahead.
By the shore, a rough-looking pirate ship lay quietly anchored with its sails furled. However, the pirate flag hanging from it was clearly visible—a skull with bat wings wreathed in flames.
"Looks like Moria is