[a/n: advanced chapters on my patreon (link in bio) under the "Emperor of Ruin" collection. It's a few chapters ahead, will get it 10 chapters ahead throughout the week. as stated before, we'll try to make a 1-1 uploading ratio by then.]
(Third Person POV)
On the deck of a massive Brig Sloop that was black and dark grey in color, Dante was sitting down on a chair.
"Hey, Grey!" He said as he was leaning back in a relaxed position, "Thanks for looking after the beauty, she's in great condition."
He was talking to a burly man with long black hair and a thick beard, "No problem." He said with a smirk, "I'm glad yer back, Dante!"
This was Grey, the crew's shipwright and helmsman. He was the one in charge of taking care of Dante's ship, the Grand Seliana. It was a massive and long battleship that was custom-made by Grey himself, aided by some of the other shipwrights from his home country.
The Seliana was currently in the middle of the sea, having set sail away from the island where the crew had picked Dante up. The large sails were white and grey in color, the Jolly Roger of the White-Haired was visible: a horned skull with two swords crossing down behind it and a white star behind it.
At the edge of the deck, leaning on the rails, Brynden was looking at Dante with his arms crossed, "I kept hearing you were jumping from island to island, constantly teasing the World Government." He said, "I kept getting annoyed by that, Dante."
"And you?" Dante asked, "Did you go back to Totland?"
"Of course not." Brynden said, "My family would have imprisoned me if that were the case."
Dante frowned, "Why?"
"Yea, that makes no fucking sense." Grey said as he looked at Brynden, "We won you fair and square in that Davy Back Fight; there is no reason for them to act that way. Besides, the crew didn't disband! We went on an extended vacation!"
"Tell that to my Mother." Brynden said with a frown
This was Charlotte Brynden, the 34th son of Charlotte Linlin and the fraternal twin of Charlotte Raisin. Despite being twins, he and his older brother look nothing alike. Several years ago, when Brynden was 17, he took part in a Davy Back Fight that was started by Dante when he crossed into a certain island that Big Mom was visiting. He won the Davy Back Fight and claimed Brynden as his crew member.
Coincidentally, around the same time that happened, Brynden had eaten a Zoan Devil Fruit that was of similar nature as Dante's. Some would say it was the reason Dante had him join his crew: Brynden had eaten a Monster Hunter Devil Fruit.
Brynden would become the Enforcer of the crew, a powerful bruiser who would face threats head-on.
Dante scowled, "That some bullshit." He said, "Big Mom always struck me as stuck up."
"You have no idea." Brynden muttered
"Hm....." Dante said, "Did you speak to your sisters, though?"
Brynden scowled, "Don't you start with your bullshit." He said, "And yes, I did. Especially my Elder Sis, Amande. She's pretty damn pissed at you, Dante."
"Hehe...." Dante smirked mischievously, "She's mad I stood her up. I didn't think she'd want me that badly."
"You best stop teasing her." Brynden said, "I can't bring myself to punch my sisters because of you."
"Nobody's telling you to." Dante said
"It's my job to defend you!" Brynden said with an annoyed tone, "You make it very fucking hard."
"So, Dante." Grey said, "Heard you were sleeping around with many King's daughters and wives. You caused some issues, haha!"
"Oh yea, well you know how it is." Dante said with a chuckle, "I-"
"Heyyy!!!" the doors to the deck slammed open, "Why didn't anyone wake me up to tell me the Captain is back!!"
Dante jumped up to the sound of the voice and turned to see a young woman walking up to him with a serious scowl. She had long light brown hair that were tied in twin-tails. She wore a strange outfit: a schoolgirl's uniform with an open combat vest over it.
"Oh shit!" He said, "Myriam! Long time no see!"
Myriam stomped over to Dante, "No calls, no letters! Nothing!" She said as her face got red with anger, "You didn't bother to check in on me after the whole fiasco with Kaido!!"
"He did tell you that we were going to split for a bit." Brynden said, "To keep you safe, he told you to hang back in your hometown."
"If Grey didn't pick me up, I would never know when we were getting back together." Myriam pulled on Dante's ear, "You stupid, stupid, stupid Dante!!"
"Ah...." Dante said as he had his eyes closed, "Grey, you didn't tell me you got everyone."
"Oh yea." Grey smirked, "Everyone's still asleep. Brynden is the one who was awake to go and get you, but everyone's here."
"Everyone?" Dante said as Myriam still pulled on his ear, "Including that dumbass?"
"Yea, he's still asleep." Grey said with a chuckle, sitting down and pouring some sake on a cup, "He's the first one I got. Without him, I probably would've gotten attacked too many times by other pirates."
"Hm...." Dante said as he pulled off from Myriam, "Myriam, my pretty doctor~ Stop being so angry! We're back, baby! We're going to go crazy!"
Myriam stepped back and sighed, "You piss me off sometimes." She said, "But since you seem fine, I guess I won't stay mad."
This was Myriam, one of the doctors of the White-Hair Pirates. She was a young girl when Dante ran into her at the start of his journey, having been targeted by a certain Celestial Dragon because of her prodigal talent. Dante fought off the government agents to protect Myriam back then and recruited her to the crew to keep her safe.
Dante rubbed his hair, "Man, so everyone is here." He said, "That means that-"
"Mhm." A cold voice behind his ear said, one that made him shudder, "Me too~"
Dante slid away from a blue-haired woman who stood behind him, a slight smirk on her face.
"Shiiiit!" Dante said as he hid behind Brynden, "Oi, Brynden! Keep her away from me, she's still mad at me."
"Luna." Brynden said, "How many times have I told you not to sneak upon the Captain like that."
She straightened up, adjusting her robe that was open, revealing that she had a white shirt and sweatpants. She also wore slippers, telling everyone that she had just gotten out of bed.
Luna smiled, "fufu~" She said, "Dante, my dear~ I've had enough time to cool off, ya know."
"Yea, you think so?" Dante said, "You scare me sometimes."
"Stop being so pathetic." Luna said, her blue eyes piercing him, "The powerful White Haired Dante being so cowardly in the presence of a mere doctor like me."
This was Luna, the second Doctor of the White Hair Pirates. She owed a life debt to Dante when he saved her in his first year of being in this world. As a result, she joined the pirate at his request, simply to help patch him and his Vice-Captain up after their battles.
"Hmmm....." Dante said, "Alright. Promise you won't lose your cool and try to beat my ass again?"
"You let me beat you because you're a perverted masochist." Luna chuckled as she walked to a seat next to Grey, "You stupid man~"
"Stop saying things like that!" Myriam exclaimed, "I don't want to hear any of that!"
Dante sighed, "Alright." He stepped to the side, "Well...."
"Wake the others up, we have a job to do."