Sea Calendar Year 1522 – Maris, Age 17
The morning sunlight spilt over the docks of a small East Blue port, scattering golden reflections across the water. Maris stood at the edge of a weathered pier, her royal-blue eyes scanning the horizon. Behind her, the faint rumble of the market, the calls of merchants, and the creak of anchored ships filled the air. To anyone else, it was just another bustling port—but to Maris, every shadow, every movement, was information. Every scent of sea breeze or oil told a story.
Beside her, Kuroha Rei adjusted the straps of her twin cutlasses, her dark eyes sharp beneath the morning light. They had spent weeks travelling together, testing their abilities against local pirate crews, small gangs, and even runaway brutes who thought they could outsmart a lone bounty hunter.
It had been a trial of patience and trust. Maris had learned to rely on Kuroha's instincts and swordsmanship; Kuroha had learned to read Maris' subtle cues and anticipate her strategies. Neither had spoken of recruitment, not yet, though both felt the invisible thread of shared purpose growing stronger with each fight.
"Another group sighted near the northern cove," Kuroha reported, her voice calm but alert. "Three men, armed and reckless. Low bounties, but persistent."
Maris tilted her head, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Then we give them a taste of strategy," she replied, her voice measured. She drew in a slow breath, feeling the faint pulse of her Devil Fruit abilities synchronising with the environment. The port, the nearby tide pools, even the wind seemed to anticipate her next movement.
Together, they moved with quiet precision, slipping through shadows between warehouses and barrels, unseen by the unsuspecting pirates. Kuroha's blades glinted as she positioned herself, ready to strike, while Maris traced the currents of the wind and water, calculating exactly how their presence could control the outcome without exposing them too early.
When the pirates emerged near the edge of the pier, their confidence was palpable. They had spotted no other threat and assumed they would intimidate anyone nearby. That confidence evaporated almost immediately.
A sudden gust twisted around Maris' fingers as she stepped forward. Water from the tide lifted, forming a low, swirling wall between the pirates and the docks. Vines and moss along the pier shivered and rose slightly, though subtly enough to trip the men without harming them.
Kuroha leapt from the shadows, her cutlasses striking with precise, controlled force. A swift disarm here, a well-placed kick there, and the pirates found themselves tied up, panting and stunned. They looked around wildly, trying to understand how two people had so efficiently outmanoeuvred them.
Maris crouched nearby, brushing mud from her boots, her expression calm. "No one gets hurt if they follow the rules," she said softly. "It's a simple choice."
Kuroha's eyes met hers, a small smirk tugging at her lips. The fight had been effortless for them—not because of luck, but because of coordination, trust, and understanding. The bond between them had solidified in action, and now, for the first time, the question of allegiance could no longer be avoided.
They returned to the edge of the pier, where the sea reflected the rising sun like molten gold. Maris turned to Kuroha, her gaze steady. "We've fought together enough. I think… It's time. I want you to join me—not just for missions, but as my vice captain. As part of my crew."
Kuroha's eyes softened ever so slightly, though her posture remained disciplined. "I wondered when you'd say that," she replied, voice low. "I've been waiting to see if you were serious—not just in words, but in action. You proved yourself, Maris. Your strategy, your foresight… You aren't just a bounty hunter. You can lead."
Maris nodded, feeling a rare warmth in her chest. "Then… will you?"
A small, deliberate pause followed. The wind tugged at Kuroha's hair as she drew her cutlasses closer. "Yes," she said finally, eyes sharp and unwavering. "I'll follow you. But know this—I won't hold back, and I expect nothing less from you."
Maris smiled, a faint glow in her eyes. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
The pact was sealed—not just with words, but with the unspoken understanding forged in their battles together. Kuroha Rei was now formally part of Maris' crew, the first official member of what would become the Gale Serpents.
After their agreement, they turned attention to the growing need for organisation. Maris had accumulated some earnings from bounty hunting, enough to start gathering resources for a ship—but not enough to commission a full vessel. She sketched out her ideas on parchment, carefully noting which materials could be procured locally, which would require travel, and how long each step might take.
"We'll need a hull strong enough to withstand the East Blue storms, but flexible for manoeuvring," Maris explained, her finger tracing lines on the rough paper. "And a deck that can handle cargo, passengers, and… surprises." She glanced at Kuroha, who nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, surprises are inevitable with this line of work."
They spent the afternoon surveying abandoned shipyards and warehouses along the port, taking notes, estimating costs, and identifying areas where Maris could begin small-scale construction once funds allowed. Their discussion was methodical, a rare blend of strategic planning and dream-building.
As the day waned, the pair walked along the shoreline. The ocean stretched endlessly before them, glittering under the late afternoon sun. Maris felt a familiar pull in her chest—the call of the wider world. Each bounty they hunted, each small mission they executed, was not just about money; it was about preparing for something larger.
"Someday," she said quietly, "this ship won't just be a way to travel. It'll be our home, our base, and the tool that lets us protect people who can't protect themselves."
Kuroha's gaze swept the horizon. "And we'll need more than just the two of us," she added. "Allies. People you can trust as much as I trust you."
Maris nodded, determination firm in her eyes. "One step at a time. First, we build this foundation. Then, we expand. I've seen enough to know the world isn't just the seas—it's the people, the dangers, and the choices we make along the way."
The first bounty of the day had been a minor one, but they spent the evening reviewing maps, discussing potential targets, and refining their approach. Coordination was key: Maris' awareness and Devil Fruit abilities paired with Kuroha's precision and combat instincts created a system that no ordinary pirate crew could easily counter.
By the time night fell, lanterns glimmering along the docks, Maris and Kuroha had laid the groundwork for their first coordinated missions as a team. The bonds of leadership, trust, and mutual respect were no longer theoretical—they were tested, proven, and formalised.
Maris looked up at the stars, the same constellations she had gazed at from Lunaris Island now stretched over the East Blue. Each star felt like a reminder: the world was vast, full of challenges, but also full of possibilities.
"Tomorrow," Maris said softly, "we make our next move. We hunt, we earn, we grow—and then… the ship."
Kuroha smirked, eyes glinting in the starlight. "Lead the way, captain."
And for the first time in months, Maris felt the thrill of purpose coursing through her veins. The Gale Serpents had begun—not with grand gestures or legendary fame, but with trust, strategy, and the promise of adventures yet to come.
As the wind carried the faint scent of the ocean through the port, Maris allowed herself a rare moment of contentment. The first ally had joined her, her plans were taking shape, and the East Blue held endless opportunities.
Tomorrow, they would begin another hunt. But tonight, they stood together, ready to face the world—and to shape it according to their own vision.
The journey of Maris D. Luna and the Gale Serpents had officially begun.