Chapter 20: New Crews

As Van Augur continued rowing, it didn't take long before they reached the ships—one belonging to the Marines, the other to the pirates. From what Van Augur could see, the pirates were massacring the Marines; nearly all the Marines were already dead, and only two pirates remained, launching their assault on the Marine vessel.

Taiyo, who recognized the two remaining pirates, immediately jumped aboard the Marine ship, followed closely by Van Augur. Upon landing on the deck, they could see the full extent of the massacre more clearly. Taiyo also recognized the last Marine still standing—it was Morgan.

'This is probably the part where they trick the Marines into dropping Kuro's bounty by making them think they've captured him,' Taiyo thought to himself.

Both Kuro and Jango noticed the two new figures who had just boarded the Marine vessel. Kuro, still high on adrenaline from the fight, immediately rushed to Taiyo. He didn't sense any danger from him—unlike the sniper, who radiated an aura of threat—so he attacked Taiyo first. But Taiyo calmly blocked every strike without even unsheathing his sword. He used precise movements to intercept each of Kuro's attacks, striking Kuro's weapons at their unsharpened points, offsetting their direction.

Realizing something was wrong, Kuro leapt backward. Meanwhile, Jango tried to hypnotize the two strangers, but both Taiyo and Van Augur stared at him unaffected.

"Who are you?" Kuro asked, unsettled. Despite his intelligence and habit of preparing for every outcome, he didn't recognize these two powerful individuals. Jango, seeing his hypnosis fail, stood ready to fight.

"We're part of a new pirate crew," Taiyo began, "and we're looking for individuals with unique skills to join us. You two fit the criteria. I'm asking you—join us."

Van Augur stepped forward, staring intently at Jango. Kuro scoffed.

"Why would we accept that? You're both unknown nobodies, while we're seasoned pirates with bounties on our heads. It would be embarrassing to join some upstart crew," Kuro replied, though his mind was already working to scheme a way out.

Before Taiyo could speak again, Van Augur cut in.

"Because if you refuse, I'll kill both of you," he said coldly, no hint of jest in his voice.

To Van Augur, Taiyo's words were sacred—his decision to join Taiyo's crew meant making the captain's vision a reality. If someone rejected that vision, Van Augur would make sure they wouldn't see the next sunrise.

His threat immediately alarmed both Kuro and Jango. They could feel the sniper's killing intent—and the raw power behind it. This man wasn't bluffing.

"Augur," Taiyo said firmly, "I don't want to lead with fear. If they choose to refuse, let them. But I believe they'll accept."

Van Augur lowered his rifle, still watching them warily.

"Oh? And what makes you think that?" Kuro asked, genuinely curious. He didn't consider the possibility for even a second—and he was sure Jango didn't either.

"I see ambition in your eyes," Taiyo answered. "You want to become a pirate known throughout the world."

Kuro burst into laughter. "Ambition? We're in the middle of a plan to help me quit piracy. I'm staging my fake capture to disappear from the spotlight. And you think I want to be famous?"

"I don't think you ever wanted to be a captain," Taiyo said. "I think you always wanted to be a pirate under a strong crew—someone who could make your schemes a reality. Schemes that wouldn't work without powerful allies. And deep down, you don't believe you're strong enough on your own."

Kuro stopped laughing.

He stared at Taiyo with a curious expression, as if the man in front of him had just read his mind. Because, in truth, Taiyo had seen through him.

Kuro had always been frustrated, tired of watching his perfectly calculated plans crumble due to the incompetence of weak subordinates. He'd come to believe that if he had strong companions,—truly capable ones—then everything he envisioned could unfold exactly as planned, with him never needing to lift a finger.

"So what do you say, Kuro of the Black Cat Pirates? Are you going to let this opportunity slip through your hands?" Taiyo asked, his gaze steady. "You'd be gaining powerful allies—people who can back your schemes, maybe even push you further than you ever thought possible. You could finally become the well-known pirate you've dreamed of being. And the best part? You'd do it on your terms, without needing us to prop you up."

Kuro stood silent, already considering the offer. It was clear he was tempted.

"What about Jango?" Kuro suddenly asked. His voice was serious—he wasn't going to leave his vice-captain behind. Jango's hypnotic ability was rare, especially for someone who hadn't eaten a Devil Fruit.

"What about him?" Taiyo asked, casually.

"Will you invite him too?"

"My invitation extended to both of you from the start," Taiyo replied. "And honestly, I don't think I need to do much convincing on his part. Looks like Augur already has his attention."

Kuro glanced to the side—and only then noticed that Jango and Van Augur were deep in conversation. Somehow, the stoic sniper was even smiling a little. Jango seemed equally entertained.

"Well then," Kuro said, turning back to Taiyo. A rare, sly smile formed on his lips. "I suppose I'll be calling you Captain from now on."

"Captain!!!" Jango suddenly burst out, spinning on one foot as he broke into spontaneous dancing, despite there being no music.

Taiyo looked amused. His crew had grown. Including himself, there were now four of them.

He glanced out toward the horizon, thoughts already drifting to what lay beyond. It was time to leave this sea behind. He still needed two more people—two more unique individuals—before he began his real journey into the Grand Line.

And now, he wasn't going alone.