The wind was favorable.
Before long, the small island that housed Rumtown faded into the horizon behind the War Pirates' fleet.
Despite this being their first true voyage as pirates, there was no disorder aboard the ships. On the contrary, everything operated with remarkable precision.
Helmsmen steered.
Sailors adjusted the rigging.
Lookouts stood watch.
Every man performed his duty with discipline.
This was no coincidence.
During previous supply runs, Kaito Arisawa had conducted repeated sea drills, training his subordinates in maritime operations. As a result, open-sea navigation was already familiar territory for the War Pirates.
"Have the Haki and Eight-Impact Fist manuals been distributed?" Kaito asked.
"They have," Robin replied. "Everyone received a copy. I also conveyed your instructions—focus primarily on training the Eight-Impact Fist, with Haki as supplementary."
They stood together on the deck of the flagship.
"Excellent," Kaito said with satisfaction. He stepped forward naturally, wrapping an arm around her waist and pressing a light kiss to her cheek. "You truly are my capable partner. Since you joined me, everything's become much easier."
Robin rolled her eyes faintly but did not resist the embrace.
There was no shyness between them.
They had long since crossed that boundary.
Kaito was not a man who restrained himself unnecessarily.
Once he had confirmed her abilities—and her loyalty—there had been no reason to hesitate.
She stood second only to him within the crew, functioning as both strategist and steward.
After a moment of quiet intimacy, Kaito shifted topics.
"By the way, is everything prepared on the fourth ship?"
The fourth ship was the former Eight Treasures Navy vessel.
After their defeat, it had been incorporated into the War Pirates' fleet. At present, it sailed at the rear of their three-forward, one-back formation.
Robin tilted her head slightly.
"It's ready. But I'm curious—why did you want that prepared?"
Kaito smiled mysteriously.
"You'll see soon enough. Just don't be too surprised. And take command of navigation while I'm gone."
Before she could respond further—
Swish!
Kaito bent his knees and exploded upward with astonishing power, landing atop the hull bridge in a single bound.
Without stopping, he sprinted toward the stern and leapt again.
His figure arced through the air, clearing the distance between the flagship and the trailing vessels. He passed between Ships Two and Three and descended toward Ship Four, more than a hundred meters away.
Boom!
He landed heavily on the deck of the fourth ship.
The impact caused the vessel to tremble.
Crew members immediately reacted, startled by the sudden shock.
"C-Captain!"
Recognizing him, they quickly relaxed from their defensive posture.
A nearby patrol squad rushed over. Their squad leader stepped forward and struck his right fist against his chest in salute.
Kaito's command structure followed strict militarized discipline.
Ten men formed a unit.
One hundred formed a squadron.
Five hundred formed a battalion.
Clear ranks.
Clear responsibilities.
The salute had been modeled after military customs from his past life—another detail he had adapted into the War Pirates' structure.
"Perfect timing," Kaito said. "Help me wrap that chain around me."
His gaze had already locked onto the coiled iron chain resting on deck.
It was enormous.
Thick as a man's thigh.
One end had already been secured firmly to the bow of the fourth ship.
The other lay free.
"Yes, sir!"
Without hesitation, the squad leader and his men sprang into action.
Before the chain was wrapped around him, Kaito removed his coat and twin sabers, revealing his powerful, well-defined physique.
Compared to the massive chain, however, his body seemed almost small.
Under the coordinated effort of several men, the heavy iron links were wound around him repeatedly, layer upon layer.
Despite the weight, Kaito stood unmoved.
Once the wrapping was complete, he flexed experimentally, ensuring the chain would not impede his movement.
"Lower the sails," he ordered calmly. "And whatever happens next—do not panic. Stay aboard."
The squad leader saluted again and passed on the command.
With preparations complete, Kaito strode to the bow.
He did not hesitate.
He leapt.
Plop!
He plunged into the sea ahead of the fleet.
The thick iron chain trailing behind him did not slow him at all.
To Kaito, it felt no heavier than rope.
Water exploded upward around him.
He surfaced quickly, inhaled, and then began swimming—his form precise and efficient, like a competitive freestyle stroke.
Boom—!
As he advanced, the iron chain stretched taut.
The slack vanished.
The chain snapped tight with a violent jolt.
The fourth ship shuddered violently.
A tremendous pulling force surged through the links, wrenching the vessel sideways and altering its course.
It began accelerating—
In the direction Kaito swam.
No.
More accurately—
Kaito Arisawa was dragging the entire ship behind him through the ocean using nothing but his own monstrous strength.
The thick iron chain cut through the water, trembling under immense tension.
On deck, the crew stared in disbelief.
The fourth ship—massive, reinforced, fully loaded—
Was being pulled forward by a single man.
In the sea below, Kaito's strokes remained steady and powerful.
The concentrated Constitution talent within him surged.
Each kick drove him forward with explosive force.
Each pull of his arms churned the water violently.
Behind him, the fourth ship surged faster, slicing through waves as if propelled by unseen engines.
Ahead, the rest of the fleet adjusted formation, keeping pace.
From the flagship's deck, Robin watched the spectacle unfold.
A faint smile curved her lips.
"A unique way of training… and a unique way of sailing."
Out in the open sea, beneath a sky of clear blue—
The War Pirates pressed onward.
Driven not only by wind—
But by the monstrous strength of their captain.
-------------------------
For advanced chapters, visit patreon.com/Varnok