Chapter 26: Pirates Encounter
Orimo: "I see a village. Let's go."
Ryuki (nodding, blades at her side): "Okay."
They walked forward together—toward a village already trembling under their names.
But the moment they stepped past the tree line—
Screams.
Villagers running. Doors slamming. Children pulled away in fear.
Orimo (confused): "What's even happening?"
Ryuki (eyes narrowing): "They're probably afraid of us."
Before they could say another word—
THUD. THUD. THUD.
Boots. Heavy and many.
A horde of pirates emerged from the smoke-choked village entrance.
???: "ZUAHAHAHAHAHA! So it's real. The outlaw of the Malevolent Generation… Orimo Kuzan."
Orimo's expression hardened.
He stepped forward—Aegis Mantra activating.
His aura rippled the dust around his feet.
Orimo (tone dropping cold):
"I smell blood. You killed them, didn't you?"
???: "ZEHAHAHA—Who cares?"
Orimo moved like a cannon shot.
SWOOSH — THUD!!!
His punch tore the air itself—wind blasted back trees—
—but the man blocked him. One arm. Effortless.
???: "Haven't you heard the name… Ryuma, kid?"
In one fluid motion, he grabbed Orimo by the throat.
CRACK!!!
Orimo's body slammed into the earth—stone shattered, dust erupting, the ground splitting beneath him.
Ryuki's eyes widened—then narrowed into something deadly.
Purple aura exploded around her, violent and unstable, like a storm with teeth.
Ryuma's smirk faltered.
Ryuma (taken aback): "What…?"
Ryuki's voice dropped to something cold and sharp:
Ryuki:"Don't you dare touch my captain."
Ryuma paused—then grinned.
Ryuma: "Zeh… An interesting rat."