The wind dragged dust through the ruined street, carrying it between shattered walls and silent, broken homes. The air felt heavy, like it was waiting for something to happen.
Something bigger.
Much bigger.
Ryuki: But why…? Why now?
Auransa didn't look at him. His eyes were on the horizon, where the ocean met the clouds.
Auransa: He was a great pirate… now he's just an old man. But don't get fooled. Age didn't take away what made him terrifying.
Ryuki: I've seen him in action before.
Auransa: Then you already know his terror. They disrespected him. And now the Navy thinks they can take him down to boost their morale.
Ryuki: That's impossible. The casualties… they'll be overwhelming.
Auransa: Yeah. They're underestimating the only rival of Ryuta Konan.
Ryuki: No doubt.
Auransa slowly turned, pointing a finger at Orimo. The wind pushed his coat slightly, like it was reacting to something unseen.
Auransa: You… kid. You're going to cause a storm someday. A dangerous one. There's something inside you… a presence that isn't asleep.
Orimo froze, his eyes widening just a fraction.
Orimo: Huh…?
Auransa blinked once, then forced a lazy grin.
Auransa: I'm just messing. I've been reading too many comics lately. Forget it, man.
Orimo: …It's nothing.
But the silence after said otherwise.
A war was brewing.
The Navy against a conqueror.
The only man who ever stood beside the Devil King Ryuta Konan as an equal.
His name echoed through the wind like thunder that hadn't struck yet:
Arata Kuro.