A few minutes later, Bean was already energetically explaining every feature and function of the ship to the navigator and helmsman—every detail, every system that might come in handy during the voyage. His voice was firm and focused; he didn't want to miss a single important point.
"Sabo, we're almost out of time," I said, turning to him. "The patrols are gathering at the dock. You can feel the tension rising after the battle, and there'll be more of them soon."
I looked over to Karina.
"Karina, help Sabo prepare the ship for departure as quickly as possible. If anything happens—set sail immediately. We'll catch up."
Sabo nodded, rushed to the lifeboat, and Karina got to work at once—her hands moved fast and confidently. All I could do was watch the surroundings—time was running out, and every second could be decisive.
Bean took a deep breath, stepped down from the captain's deck, and said with a light, ironic smile:
"First time I've seen pirates like you," he said, glancing around at us, "but I hope this ship serves you well!"
"You'll hear our names again!" I said, leaping toward Gin.
Gin's Side
This bastard is dangerous, I thought, watching Eric's every move closely. Judging by how he moved and kept shifting his angles of attack, he was clearly a Devil Fruit user—like the captain. He launched blades of wind! If even one of them hits me wrong—I'll be seriously injured.
I knew I couldn't just rush in head-on. I had to be extremely careful—get in close enough, and he won't have a chance.
But he kept pulling back after every strike!
"Are you ignoring me? Think I won't notice?"
This wasn't going to be easy.
Then I noticed movement in the shadows—several marines were trying to sneak up behind me for a surprise attack. I wouldn't make it in time—a blow from behind was inevitable.
But suddenly, as if from nowhere, a blur shot past—Bellamy burst in between me and the attackers, knocking them down with a powerful strike. He slammed one enemy aside and called out to me:
"You okay, Gin? We need to end this fast! I'll handle the marines—you focus on Eric!"
I barely had time to see Eric swing his arm again—another gust of wind shot out from his claws, so narrow and fast the air shrieked. I ducked, and the blade missed, slamming into the mast and splitting the wood down to its core.
Gin stood firm, not retreating a single step. That smug, icy grin still twisted Eric's face.
"You think you can stop me on your own?" Eric hissed, stepping back. "How arrogant."
Gin didn't answer. His tonfas trembled slightly in his fingers, but his eyes were steel.
Eric suddenly darted to the side—and at that very moment launched two slashes of wind in an X, aiming for Gin's chest and legs. But Gin didn't flinch: he stepped forward, into the center of the attack. At the exact moment the blades reached him, his tonfas flashed—his right hand deflected the upper gust, the left barely nudged the lower one aside. One blade tore his sleeve and scratched his skin—but the attack was blocked.
"I've fought stronger than you," Gin rasped. "And I survived. What about you?"
Eric clenched his teeth, raising his claws—his eyes darkened. In the next instant, he vanished and reappeared to Gin's side—a quick sweep of the leg, then a slash to the neck.
But Gin was ready. He dropped to one knee, slammed his right tonfa under Eric's ribs, making him bend over, then spun and struck his temple with the left.
Crunch.
Eric flew back, crashing into the anchor chain and coughing.
Blood trickled down his lip—but he stayed on his feet.
"Heh... not bad..." he growled. "But let's see how you handle this."
He spread his arms—the air around him vibrated.
"Kama Storm!"
A dozen small wind blades burst from his claws—swirling outward, tearing at the rigging, mast, and ground.
A true whirlwind of carnage.
Gin raised his tonfas and charged forward, straight through the storm. The blades sliced the air by his ears, shattered planks and debris—but he pressed on. Step by step. One cut—on his forehead. Another—on his thigh. But Gin didn't stop.
When he got close enough—he broke Eric's control.
BAM!Tonfa from the right—into the sternum.WHOOSH!Spin—left strike to the knee. Eric dropped, screaming.
Gin grabbed him by the throat and roared:
"You're just a pathetic clown with claws."
And with one final, precise motion, he smashed his fist into Eric's jaw—a sound like a hammer striking steel.
Eric flew and collapsed—no longer moving.
For a moment, everything went silent… but the stillness didn't last. A loud crash rang out behind us—as if something slammed into metal—and a pillar of dust and splinters rose into the sky. Bellamy had struck the ground, kicking up a cloud of debris.
"Our ship's leaving!" I shouted to Gin, watching as he slowly rose to his knees after the fight. His shoulder was bleeding—but he was standing. He had endured.
I ran toward him, dashing across the planks, the port echoing with alarms.
"Time to join them," I said, pushing off hard, my legs transforming.
My joints clicked, twisting into tight coils of metal.
"Bane Bane no Mi — Spring Evacuator!" I shouted, launching into the air, grabbing Gin by the back with one arm.
He didn't even have time to react—he just gripped my shoulder tighter as we shot upward. My other arm turned into a long, stretched spring that whipped forward and latched onto the side of our ship, now pulling away from the dock.
The cable snapped tight, yanking us forward. Wind lashed my face, the chaos of the port becoming a blur behind us. I knew—if we missed this, there'd be no second chance.
The spring recoiled sharply, slamming us against the railing—but we held on.
"Welcome back," Sabo said with a smirk, offering his hand to help us up onto the deck.
"He did it…" Karina exhaled as she ran up. "Are you okay, Gin?"
Gin only nodded, leaning on me and still breathing heavily—but his eyes were burning!