West Blue, off the coast of Bernia, Shadow Port District, at the edge of the black-market docks.
A medium-sized two-masted sailing ship slowly pulled ashore. Its hull sported lively blue-and-white stripes, and its sails bore an abstract musical note that seemed to be singing softly-the flag of the Whispering Pirates. Unlike the usual menacing pirate ships, this vessel looked clean, even rather elegant, more like a rich young heir's yacht.
A young girl with two brilliant golden pigtails sat on the figurehead. She wore oil-stained overalls and fiddled with a finely crafted wrench, her azure eyes full of worry. She was the ship's inventor, Ailalei.
"Visbo, do we... really have to go looking for trouble with that 'Aaron Ball'?" Ailalei turned toward the black-haired young man standing at the rail, excitedly surveying the outline of the Silver Capital.
Before the young man called Visbo could answer, someone lunged at him from behind, expertly looping both arms around his neck and hanging their full weight on him.
"Oh, come on, Ailalei! What are you worried about?" The first mate, Tingding-a freckled boy with short orange hair and boundless energy-grinned. "Our captain ate the Rhythm-Rhythm Fruit! He can control sound and vibrations! He's super strong! Some little West Blue lord? Even if he is the 'White Calamity,' our captain can handle him!"
Visbo staggered slightly under the chokehold, but rather than getting angry, he burst out laughing, showing two rows of white teeth. He had a typically sunny, cheerful face, medium-length black hair blowing freely in the sea breeze, and firm, well-proportioned muscles beneath yellow skin. Rolling up the sleeves of his thin linen shirt, he vigorously flexed his well-defined arms.
"Don't worry, Ailalei!" Undisguised fighting spirit burned in Visbo's eyes. "Look, didn't we just destroy the Fabira Family, one of the