For some reason, the sky, which had been cloudless a moment earlier, was suddenly covered in masses of dark clouds.
Lightning flashed amid peals of thunder, and a vast fleet of imposing pirate ships appeared on the distant horizon.
In an instant, rain poured down, the wind rose, and waves surged.
On the pirate fleet's lead ship, a young man stood with his arms folded across his chest. He had pale yellow hair, white eyes with gray pupils, a fierce expression, and a gaze fixed on the distant Land of Sea.
He remained completely unmoved by the biting sea wind, his solid muscles seeming capable of defending against anything.
This man was Funato Kuromu, the third son of the Funato Clan's leader.
"Hmph, that's more like it. The sea should look like the sea. Only raging waters can make these worthless fools feel any awe."
As Kuromu spoke, a bald man slowly approached and reported respectfully, "Lord Kuromu, at our current speed, we'll land in the Land of Sea in ten minutes."
"Mm." Kuromu nodded. "Tell everyone not to hold back once we're ashore. Kill anyone you see! I'll make the entire Land of Sea pay with their lives for our clansmen's deaths!"
"By the way, where's my eldest brother now?"
The bald man replied, "The young clan leader's fleet should arrive here in another hour."
"An hour? That soon?" Funato Kuromu frowned. "Looks like I'd better act fast. I can't let my eldest brother take the Land of Sea's daimyo's head before I do!"
With that, Funato Kuromu rolled up his sleeves, leaped into the air, and plunged straight into the sea...
On Taro Island, in the Land of Sea.
Hearing the alarms blaring nonstop from the Gold Transport Ship, the villagers had already fallen into chaos, fleeing