— "You can't make even a semblance of a sail from these makeshift materials," I sighed, looking over the torn rags and broken masts. "There's too much damage here, and the materials are catastrophically scarce."
Karina, sitting beside me, was chewing on hardtack with an astonishing calmness. Surprisingly, she cooked quite well despite the harshness of our situation. Her hands deftly and quickly managed the small primitive kitchen we had set up on our boat.
— "You're seriously the best cook here," I said with a smile. "Looks like you're temporarily holding that position on our ship."
She looked at me, raising an eyebrow and smiling slightly.
— "Well, someone has to take care of the crew while we row," Karina replied. "Besides, when you're hungry, you can't be cheerful."
I nodded and returned to the oars. The wind still hadn't come, and our boat slowly sliced through the waves. But something inside me told me we were close to a turning point — perhaps to that very island where we could buy a new ship and start over.
In the distance, on the horizon, a faint line of land appeared — a tiny island that seemed like salvation.
— "There!" Sabo shouted, pointing in that direction.
"Four hours later"
At last, before us opened a majestic sight — a huge island, almost entirely covered with buildings: wooden houses, warehouses, docks with ships rocking on the waves, and noisy fishing boats. The air was filled with the scent of salt, fresh fish, and the smoke of fires.
— "Now that's something!" Sabo exhaled, reluctantly letting go of the oars.
People bustled on the shore, wearing colorful clothes, indicating traders and travelers from various places. It was clear this island was an important port center, and maybe here we'd find what we were looking for.
— "Hey, how much money do we even have to buy a ship?" Gin asked, releasing the oars and shaking his hands.
— "I don't even know," I answered, frowning slightly.
— "Well, I did some rough calculations — about seven million," Karina exclaimed, smiling and exchanging glances with Sabo.
— "Hey, we haven't even shown you where the money is yet!" Sabo added, winking.
— "I stumbled upon it while wandering," Karina replied with a light laugh. "Looks like we have a decent budget to buy something respectable."
I raised my eyebrows and looked at both of them. Seven million... sounded pretty good, especially considering we were still sailing on this tiny boat.
— "Alright," I said, stretching and shaking water off my hands, "with that budget, we can look for something decent. The main thing is not to get ripped off by sellers."
Sabo smirked and winked.
— "Then it's time for us, Captain, to see what treasures this island hides."
Meanwhile, Karina was already preparing to land, gathering bags and weapons.
— "Let's not waste time," Karina said, tightening her grip on the supply bag. "If there's a good ship here, we need to take it as soon as possible."
We approached the shore, where the boat gently touched the rocky pier of the port. The water here was calmer, and on the wooden planks people were already bustling — dockworkers, merchants, and sailors busy with their tasks. The port lived and breathed maritime life: everywhere we heard the murmur of voices, the clinking of chains, and the creaking of rigging.
— "Finally on solid ground," Sabo muttered, taking the supply bag from me.
We quickly disembarked, moving from the boat to the dock. The stones underfoot were wet and covered in moss, smelling of salt and tar. The air was thick with the scent of fish and sea.
— "Let's head to the market quickly," I suggested, watching merchants and buyers moving along the docks.
We walked along the wooden planks, passing ships of all sizes moored nearby — from small fishing boats to large vessels with bright sails. People bustled around, selling ropes, sails, food, and maritime supplies.
Soon we reached the noisy ship market — long rows of old and new vessels docked at special piers. Here lively deals were discussed, ship owners and potential buyers negotiating.
— "Here it is," Gin said, scanning the many ships, "now we just have to pick the right one."
We slowly walked along the piers, examining hulls, checking sails, and inspecting figureheads. Among them stood out a ship with elegant carvings on its bow — the silhouette of a sea dragon with outstretched wings.
— "What do you think?" Sabo asked, pointing at the vessel. "Looks like a real pirate ship."
— "Let's find out," I answered, heading toward the captain standing on the deck. "Maybe this ship will become our new home."
We approached an elderly captain, who greeted us with a sharp gaze, not hiding a slight arrogance.
— "Ten million, not a penny less," he said with a smirk. "For that price, this ship will only go to its rightful owner."
— "We'd like to see the ship first," I said, trying to stay calm.
He snorted and crossed his arms.
— "Do you even have that kind of money?" he asked skeptically, looking us up and down.
Karina exchanged a glance with Sabo, and I felt a slight irritation.
— "Seven million — that's all we have," Karina said, trying to sound confident.
— "Seven million? Ha!" the old man laughed. "This ship is my pride and joy. I'm not selling it. Just because, you understand? So go look for something else."
We looked at each other silently. A cheeky old man who wouldn't give in but wasn't foolish enough to miss a chance to profit from others' hopes.
— "Alright," I said, stepping back. "We'll check other options."
We checked several ships — from small but fast barges to large vessels weathered by wind. But none could compare to the one we saw at the arrogant old man's with the carved bow.
— "That ship is the best," Sabo muttered, squinting in the sun. "If only that old man wasn't so stubborn..."
As we passed another ship, another captain approached us — a stern sailor with deep wrinkles and a penetrating gaze. He looked around and quietly said:
— "I heard you're interested in Old Man Bin's ship."
— "Yes, we want to buy it," I answered.
— "You should be careful," he warned. "That ship's been with him for over two years, and he's not going to bargain. Actually, he can't sell it — debts have piled up, loans for the build, you understand?"
— "What a shame, such a good ship..."
— "Means soon the state will just take it," I said.
— "Exactly," the captain nodded. "He needs ten million, or the ship's gone. It's his pride — honestly, the best ship on the whole island, maybe even all of East Blue…"
— "Can you tell me more about it?"
— "That'll cost you," he smiled slyly.
Got interested, then decided to charge for the details — a tricky old man, I thought.