Twin Islands.
Behind a stretch of beach stood a grove of coconut trees, and behind those palms, amid waist-high grass, stood several figures.
One of them was exceptionally tall, and the area around him was unusually damp. Dew beaded on the nearby flowers and grass, while the ground beneath his feet was soaked. No one knew where all that water had come from.
"Captain, look."
Beside the man, a shorter pirate with a yellowish beard pointed toward the distant sea. A sailing ship could vaguely be seen slowly changing course, apparently intending to sail around the island.
"They don't plan to pass between Twin Islands?" The yellow-bearded pirate frowned.
"Have they discovered us?"
"That's impossible. We hid ourselves in advance."
The seven or eight pirates in the grass launched into a "spirited" discussion.
Not until the tall figure raised an arm did the pirates stop talking.
The man in a tricorn hat, his face wrapped in a black scarf, spoke in a strange voice. "The chances of them noticing us are low. Perhaps there's a Seer aboard their ship, or perhaps he possesses some item capable of foreseeing danger."
"At Oravi last time, he also foresaw my attack in advance. Therefore, there's a high chance he has an item that can predict danger."
The yellow-bearded pirate frowned. "Then we can't lie in ambush or launch a sneak attack?"
"It's not entirely impossible."
The man who was Vice Admiral Deep Sea said in a deep voice, "But we'll need to make some preparations. That Sealed Artifact is troublesome, but it can interfere with all abilities or items related to divination, including the natural sense of danger possessed by certain Pathways."
"Pass the word. The operation is canceled. We'll make other arrangements."
"Yes." The yellow-bearded pirate nodded and gestured to the seven