Chapter 22: Rumors of War

The sun gleamed upon the open sea as the Going Merry glided smoothly across the waves. The echoes of the storm had long faded, leaving only the steady creak of the ship and the occasional chatter of the crew. But even in the warmth of the day, there was an unspoken tension.

Dikun Silver stood at the bow, his crimson eyes scanning the horizon. Every experience on the Grand Line had taught him one undeniable truth — peace never lasted.

And soon enough, his instincts would prove right.

---

A Troubling Message

"Ship spotted!" Usopp's voice rang out from the crow's nest, his long nose practically twitching with alarm. "And it's coming fast!"

The crew gathered on the deck as a black-sailed vessel emerged from the distant mist. The ominous flag bore no skull and crossbones, but a twisted serpent wrapped around a bloodstained spear.

"Mercenary ship," Dikun muttered, his gaze hardening. "Not pirates. Something worse."

Zoro cracked his neck. "I was hoping for something interesting."

"Don't get too excited," Nami warned, her grip tightening on the railing. "Mercenaries don't sail without reason."

The ship drew closer, and a low horn echoed across the waves. It wasn't a call for battle — it was a summons. A small rowboat was lowered from the black vessel, manned by a single armored figure.

"He's coming alone," Gerrick observed. "Bold."

"Or foolish," Dikun replied.

---

A Tense Parley

The figure soon arrived aboard the Merry. He was tall, clad in dark leathers with a crimson sash draped across his chest. Scars marred his face, and his sunken eyes held the weariness of countless battles.

"I am Captain Varlen," the man spoke, his voice like gravel. "Commander of the Black Serpent Company."

"And what business does a mercenary have with us?" Dikun's voice was firm, his daggers resting at his sides.

Varlen's gaze flicked over the Straw Hats before settling back on Dikun. "Word spreads quickly on the Grand Line. Rumors of a 'Silent Commander' who leads with both strength and strategy. I'm here to offer a proposal."

Luffy grinned, clearly intrigued. "Proposal? Like an adventure?"

Varlen ignored the captain's enthusiasm. "A war brews to the west. Two kingdoms locked in endless conflict. Mercenaries profit from such chaos, but not all fight for coin."

Dikun's eyes narrowed. "You expect me to involve my crew in a war that's not ours?"

"No," Varlen answered. "But I do expect you to understand what's at stake. The victor of this conflict will dominate the trade routes of the Grand Line. Pirates, merchants, even the Marines — all will feel its impact."

The weight of those words settled over the crew. Dikun remained silent for a moment, his mind already racing through the possibilities.

"Why warn us?" he finally asked.

Varlen's expression darkened. "Because war has a way of spreading. And I've seen enough to know that even those who wish to avoid it will be forced to choose a side."

---

The Commander's Decision

As the Black Serpent's rowboat disappeared into the distance, the crew gathered once more. The weight of Varlen's words lingered heavily.

"So, what now?" Zoro asked, his arms crossed. "Are we just gonna ignore it?"

"We're not mercenaries," Sanji added, lighting a cigarette. "But if war spills over, we'll have no choice but to defend ourselves."

Luffy scratched his head. "I still don't get it. Why not just beat up whoever's causing trouble?"

Dikun shook his head. "This isn't a fight we can solve with fists alone. War is fought with tactics, resources, and alliances."

"But we're not a kingdom," Nami argued. "We're pirates."

"And yet," Dikun countered, "our actions shape the world around us. We may not have a flag like the Marines or a kingdom to defend, but we have something far more dangerous — freedom."

His crimson eyes burned with resolve. "And when the time comes, we will decide how to use it."

The crew nodded, the weight of Dikun's words sinking in. The storm may have passed, but now, the Grand Line whispered of war.

And the Silent Commander would be ready.

To Be Continued

Author's Note:

Hello everyone, I'm sorry to say that I won't be able to update all my novels once a day anymore. With my final exams approaching, I need to focus on studying. On top of that, I have to complete my thesis and other case studies. However, I will continue updating one novel that I have already written. Thank you for your understanding and support!