One day later.
Fourteen days remained until Gray's release.
Thirty nautical miles from Syrup Village in the East Blue, the Shark Superb drifted calmly over the waves.
"We're not at the next village yet? I'm dying here..."
Eden leaned over the railing, pale and exhausted. After a full day of sailing, his seasickness had pushed him to the limit.
For someone like Eden, who had just begun to awaken his Dragon Slayer powers, this ocean-locked, ship-bound world was pure hell.
"I'm dying too... meat... I need meat..."
Luffy lay sprawled on the deck next to Eden, having devoured his rations on the first morning at sea. Now, sixteen hours without food, he too was on the verge of collapse.
"If you're prone to seasickness, maybe don't go to sea in the first place," Buggy grumbled, slumped helplessly against the railing.
The so-called captain Eden was a useless seasick wreck. Juvia had power but zero sea knowledge. Happy only made things worse. And Nami? Calculating everything in monetary terms.
Only Buggy did actual work.
As for Luffy and Zoro? They weren't even part of the Fairy Tail crew.
"I boarded the wrong damn pirate ship," Buggy muttered. "Please, someone call a Marine Vice Admiral to arrest us all and throw us into Impel Down."
Buggy stared at the sky, reminiscing about the time, over twenty years ago, when Shanks had invited him to sail.
Why had he declined back then?
Though truth be told, even if Buggy could go back to Roger's execution day, he still wouldn't have accepted Shanks' offer...
Because deep down, despite his clownish nature, Buggy had pride he refused to abandon.
"Alright, alright... enough whining."
"We're almost at our next destination. Soon you can rest and stock up."
Nami sighed at the pitiful crew sprawled across the deck.
"Great! Finally, some rest!"
Eden perked up.
"Meat! I'm finally getting meat!"
Luffy sprang to life.
"I hope there's a strong swordsman on the island," Zoro muttered, sharpening his blade.
"I want dried fish! And with all this ocean, there's new fish every day!"
Happy stretched his paws, ecstatic. To him, this pirate world was paradise.
"Hey Eden, Happy—do either of you remember what our main mission is?"
Juvia groaned.
Yes, Fairy Tail mages were never exactly known for being dependable...
"We can search for info after we eat," Eden replied righteously.
"Aye!"
Happy nodded.
Ever since Eden found him, Happy had clung to him like glue. Until they found Natsu, Eden was his go-to.
Because Happy... was shameless like that.
—Meanwhile, in Syrup Village—
"Captain Usopp! Bad news! A pirate ship is approaching!"
Usopp's young followers—fellow troublemaking kids who hated school—had spotted the Shark Superb through binoculars.
"A pirate ship? For real?!"
Usopp's face went pale.
He had a habit of crying wolf, often shouting that pirates were coming just to get the adults' attention. Now, karma was biting back.
"Looks like it's time to prove myself!"
Usopp grabbed his slingshot and stood boldly by the shore, ready to face whatever pirates came.
As the massive Shark Superb drew closer, Usopp's hands trembled. This was his first encounter with real pirates...
When the ship finally docked and the crew disembarked, Usopp gathered his courage and shouted:
"Halt! I am Captain Usopp! Leave this village at once! I command an army of eight million men who will crush you all!"
Before he finished his speech, his minions had already fled.
"Hey! Don't run!"
Usopp called after them, drenched in cold sweat.
"Alright, enough bluffing. There's a restaurant here, right?"
Eden, now fully recovered after setting foot on land, asked casually.
"Y-Yes!"
Usopp raised his hands and nodded furiously.
"Let's fill our bellies first."
Eden turned to Nami, Juvia, Luffy, Zoro, and Buggy.
"Agreed."
Everyone nodded in unison.
—At the village restaurant—
"So you're actually two pirate crews."
"Fairy Tail is looking for lost companions. Straw Hat crew is looking for new crewmates."
After some chatting, Usopp finally understood their situation.
"That's right."
Eden and Luffy nodded.
"Then it's time for the great Captain Usopp to step in!"
"Don't underestimate my intelligence network..."
Usopp grinned and offered, "Say, are either of your crews looking for a captain? I'd be happy to volunteer."
"First off, I'm not even a pirate. I just happen to be wanted by the World Government. And no thanks."
Eden waved him off.
"Same here," Luffy mumbled, mouth full of meat.
"Really? What a shame..."
Usopp sighed in disappointment.
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Don't forget to give Power Stone