[Chapter 22 - Chains and Claws of Crimson Port]
The port city of Torven, one of the last major settlements before the great western expanse, lay in the shadow of the enslaved island's mountainous heart. Its once bustling crimson port, famous for its red clay docks, now thrummed under the boot of the Bloodhook Pirates—a brutal crew that had choked the town into submission.
Ayman Arif stood on the edge of the bustling town square. His long, sea-blue coat fluttered with the breeze, his eyes narrowing as he took in the layout. Android 18 leaned lazily against a broken lamp post beside him, arms folded under her chest, her gaze sharp and unreadable. Tsunade, slightly tipsy already despite the early hour, reclined atop a barrel nearby, tossing a golden coin between her fingers.
"So this is the Crimson Port everyone talks about, huh? Kind of a dump now," Tsunade muttered.
[New Mission: Break the Chains of Crimson Port]
[Objective: Free the port from Bloodhook Pirate control.]
[Reward: 1,000,000 Gold Coins, Influence Increase +10, Bonus Summon Ticket x1]
Ayman grinned. "Looks like it's finally time to punch up."
Android 18 cracked her knuckles. "I've been waiting for something with bite."
They moved through the port, keeping low profiles. The Bloodhook Pirates had turned the town's mayor into a puppet and converted the old clock tower into a watchpoint. Atop it, sniper posts and a rotating fire cannon reminded everyone that resistance meant death.
Ayman ducked into a tattered tailor's shop where a local resistance contact waited. An old man with a curved back and missing eye peered at them.
"You the pirate hunter?" he whispered.
Ayman nodded. "We're here to end this."
The old man handed him a scrawled map. "Weak spot's the water line. Their munitions are stored underneath the docks. Sink that, and they'll be exposed. But the leader... he's no joke. They call him Garrotte Cain. Uses a cursed chain that feeds on fear."
Ayman's lips twisted into a confident smirk. "Lucky for me, I'm fearless."
Night fell, cloaking Crimson Port in a heavy fog. Ayman's crew made their move. With stealth-like coordination, Android 18 leapt from rooftop to rooftop, planting sabotage nodes beneath the docks. Tsunade, uncharacteristically quiet, prepared her explosive tags with a drunken grace only she could manage.
As the fire cannon began its nightly patrol, Ayman climbed the scaffold beside the tower. His fingers gripped the stone as he moved with more confidence than ever—every breath synchronized with the wind.
Below, the first blast erupted—red clay and wood splintered into the sea.
"Now!" Ayman roared.
The town ignited in chaos. Civilians ducked for cover while chains clattered against stone. Garrotte Cain emerged—tall, shirtless, and covered in scarred tattoos. His cursed chain writhed like a snake, slashing through air with a howl.
"You dare challenge the Bloodhook Pirates, boy?!" Cain's voice was pure venom.
Ayman landed in front of him, drawing his blade. He felt the surge of power as he tapped into Android 18's speed.
"Let's make this short. I've got a beach day scheduled tomorrow."
Cain lunged, chains flying.
The two clashed—Ayman ducked and slid, narrowly avoiding decapitation. Tsunade appeared behind Cain and slammed her foot into the ground, creating a crater that disrupted the pirate's stance.
"Oi! You ugly chain reject! Learn to respect women!" she barked.
Cain roared, swinging wildly, but Android 18 joined in with a blinding kick that sent the pirate crashing into a wall.
Ayman channeled the temporary might of both women's energy—18's power core and Tsunade's chakra reserve—and slashed Cain's chain with a strike that shimmered with ki.
SNAP.
The cursed chain fell, writhing into dust.
Cain gasped, body trembling. "Impossible..."
Ayman pressed his blade to the pirate's neck. "Chain of fear? Doesn't work on someone with plot armor."
Morning broke with a golden hue. Crimson Port's citizens cheered in the square, throwing flowers and food. The mayor, no longer a puppet, bowed deeply.
"You've saved us."
[Mission Complete: Break the Chains of Crimson Port]
[Reward: 1,000,000 Gold Coins Received!]
[Influence Increased +10]
[Bonus Summon Ticket x1 Acquired!]
Tsunade drained her gourd. "Weird, I think I actually did some good this time."
Android 18 smirked. "Let's not make it a habit."
Ayman glanced at the system window. One summon ticket… who would he call upon next?
But for now, the crew rested. A new dawn awaited, and a bigger storm brewed beyond the next horizon.