My Precious Cargo ⚔ Volume 2 (An AtsuKage ff) ✔

XXI

With the good wind they arrived in the Shiratorizawa region just before three weeks had passed. The weather was warm and sunnier than ever, and the mountains that spiralled high from the ocean were teeming with lush greenery and wildlife. The water was crystal clear as they neared the shore, as if the surface was glittering with the shine of a million pearls.

Once docked they could see a large city rising high into the land beyond them, more people than they had ever seen before. Now they knew why the pirates of Shiratorizawa were such a formidable crew: one look at their homeland and it was made known they didn't have to struggle with such things as food, weapons or crewmmates.

"Omi said the crew don't actually head offshore too often; 'pparently they run a lot of the business at the port."

It was decided that Ren would stay with the ship and do any trading if he deemed it necessary, whilst the rest of them went in search of Shiratorizawa. Their leader was Ushijima Wakatoshi, a name known for his strength in battle, his crew never having lost a fight. He was an excellent pirate and an excellent leader.

"What does he look like exactly? And what about his crew?" asked Tobio as they traversed through the town, checking inside pubs and alleyways.

"Ushijima has kinda brown hair, and he never, I repeat, never smiles. The psycho he calls first mate is Tendou, and you'll know it's him if you see wild red hair." explained Suna, grinning as he recalled the time he got to have drinks with Tendou, back when they were both relatively new to the pirate's life.

"I see. So, someone like him?"

Tobio pointed to a group of men sitting inside the pub, a vibrant red visible even through the stained and murky windows. With the glow of the hanging candles it was easy to spot him and his crew. 

"Aye, that's him." Atsumu confirmed, and they headed into the pub after checking their weapons. 

They found an empty table and ordered a round of drinks, keeping their heads low and hats lower to remain unnoticed. Discussing ways to approach the pirates without having a brawl was tough, and despite wanting to offer his thoughts, not wanting his years of tactics and strategy lessons to go to waste, he couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching him. The feeling of eyes boring into the back of ones head had goosebumps appearing on the nape of his neck.

The feeling was short lived.

"Inarizaki." A deep voice stated from behind Tobio, making the Prince turn to look over his shoulder at the man looming above him. "Why are you here?"

"Why else if not a good drink?" Atsumu teased, pushing down the frown at how intense Tendou seemed to be staring at Tobio, his eyes large and unblinking.

"You should leave, you're not welcome." Another male spoke, this one with short ashen hair.

"Nah nah Semi Semi!" Tendou exclaimed, eyes growing even further. "We've got special guests, we should have a drink with them!" he suggested in a sing-song tone that left an uncomfortable air between them all.

"I will ask you once again, Miya. Why are you here?"

The Captain sighed before tipping his head back, a small grin evident on his face.

"The Ocean's Heart. Aye, we know it's here, Ushijima."

"If you know it's here then why aren't you searching for it? Why waste time on a drink?"

"You can never have too much rum, mate!" Suna declared, knocking back his drink in seconds. 

"A friend of ours told us you protect the treasure," Kita began, "we figured it would be in a place nobody but you could find."