The news of Orimo's awakening spread like wildfire.
Across the seas, the navy grew restless; Uruma ordered every available force to hunt down Orimo immediately.
Meanwhile, the world powers and the Seven Remaining Conquerors of the Seas turned their gaze toward the rookie who shook the world—
Orimo, now holding a bounty of 800,000,000 Ryo.
Evening.
The warm sea was calm, glowing gold under the setting sun. Orimo lay stretched across the deck, exhausted but finally breathing peacefully.
Orimo: "Auransa… when will we reach the next island?"
Auransa: "We'll take the west now. The compass is pointing there."
Ryuki: "Alright."
Ryuki turned the wheel, the ship gliding smoothly into the golden horizon.
Suddenly—
A scream tore across the ocean.
"HELP!"
"I—I'm drowning!"
The shout was swallowed by the waves, vanishing instantly. Only rising bubbles remained.
Auransa's face tightened.
Auransa: "I'm going in."
Orimo: "Take care."
He plunged into the water, slicing through the blue depths where he spotted the man sinking limply. Auransa grabbed him and dragged him toward the surface.
They crashed back onto deck with the stranger coughing violently.
Man: "Thank… you…"
Orimo: "What's your name?"
Yura: "…I'm Yura. Where… where is this ship headed?"
Orimo: "I'm Orimo."
Auransa: "We're heading west."
Yura (relieved): "Good. I was headed there too."
Orimo: "Why?"
Yura: "A friend of mine… an ally. He's been captured there. I have to save him."
Ryuki crossed his arms.
Ryuki: "Alright, that's great—but who cares?"
Orimo: "Ryuki… you're harsh."
Ryuki: "Stay careful, Orimo. He's a swordsman."
Yura: "Yeah. I'm a samurai—from the country of Emka."
Auransa: "Emka? Never heard of it."
Yura: "A shame… but thank you for letting me aboard."
Orimo: "Pleasure's mine."
The sun dipped lower as the mysterious samurai's shadow stretched across the deck—
a calm presence carrying an unknown danger.