"Ren Takashi, throw away the Seven Star Sword immediately!"
Maya's face had gone pale. According to centuries-old legend passed down on Asuka Island, the reappearance of the Seven Star Sword always heralded war. Now, a strange green glow was surging toward Ren's body.
"Don't worry, Maya. Trust big brother Ren."
Ren's voice was calm, his hand lightly resting on her shoulder to reassure her.
Robin smiled gently and added, "Maya, our captain is unbelievably strong."
Her words helped ease Maya's trembling heart. Though still nervous, she took solace in their calm, especially since Ren himself seemed so confident.
"Is this what you call an 'invincible sword'?" Ren scoffed, and in the next instant, his overwhelming aura exploded outward. The green mist that had been swirling from the blade was completely dispersed, unable to withstand his sheer will.
He didn't stop there. Ren directly poured his domineering Haki into the blade itself.
Sparks flared, pressure crackled—lightning coursed through the sword's length, drowning out its darkness and crushing the malevolent will inside it.
The Seven Star Sword trembled violently, its green blade flashing erratically as if trying to break free from his grip.
"You're like an ant trying to shake a tree. You've vastly overestimated yourself."
Ren's voice turned cold. He forced more Haki into the blade until the green mist finally flickered and vanished, like a nightmare being burned away by the morning sun.
Seconds ticked by… then minutes.
The sword's resistance faded. The eerie glow dimmed, and a rare quiet settled over them.
"H-How... how can this be?!"
Maya gasped. Her jaw dropped in disbelief.
She couldn't comprehend it. The very sword responsible for countless wars and disasters had just been... tamed?
Ren, completely unaffected by its evil influence, had even suppressed its will outright.
While others might still hesitate to believe it, his crew already expected this. For them, Ren's dominance was a daily reality. Compared to him, even legendary swords bowed in submission.
Now holding the Seven Star Sword calmly in his hand, Ren smiled. "It's a good sword. But not quite as legendary as the stories make it sound."
He tossed it lightly toward Maya. "Don't worry. My will is now imprinted in the blade."
Before Maya could respond, Dashigi snatched the sword with gleaming eyes.
She raised it high and swung with force. A beam of energy, bright red mixed with green, burst out, slicing through the air with a roar. The nearby mountain peak shattered into rubble.
BOOM! BOOM!
Rocks crashed down, dust billowed everywhere.
"Incredible!" Dashigi stared wide-eyed at the sword, marveling at its power.
"It certainly lives up to its reputation," Ren nodded in approval. "Though... that whole 'invincible' part may have been a bit of an exaggeration."
Truth be told, Asuka Island was an isolated corner of the world. The legends were a reflection of that—what seemed mythical here might be mundane elsewhere.
Maya looked confused and dazed, still trying to process the rapid unraveling of her beliefs. The sword that had haunted her people for generations had now been tamed in mere minutes.
Ren approached her with a gentle smile, reaching out to pat her head. "Maya, this island is too small. The Seven Star Sword you feared—it's just a relic of a forgotten borderland myth. There are many people out there stronger than it."
He paused. "I know your duty has always been to suppress the sword's power. But now that it's no longer a threat, how about joining my crew, like I asked before?"
"I... I don't know..." Maya murmured, conflicted.
Seeing her hesitation, Ren leaned in slightly. "Think about it, Maya. What if one day I lose control of the sword's power again? What if I'm not there to stop it? Wouldn't it be better if you stayed by my side, just in case?"
It was a sly tactic, but one Ren had used many times before. And now, his crew knew it too.
They all rolled their eyes in silent amusement—then stepped forward to help.
The girls gathered around Maya, offering encouragement with smiles, jokes, and gentle teasing.
Completely overwhelmed by their friendliness and unity, Maya quickly caved.
"Ren... I'll join your crew."
A bright smile spread across Ren's face. "Maya, from now on, stand by my side and watch what we accomplish together."
"Since we now have both the Seven Star Sword and Maya with us, shouldn't we celebrate?!" Nami cheered, eyes sparkling.
Maya blinked. "Celebrate? Wait, are we really doing this right now?"
Nami scratched her head awkwardly as the rest of the girls laughed.
Ren smiled warmly and announced, "Welcome aboard, Maya. Tonight, we party!"
Cheers erupted.
"Party time?! It's been forever since the last one!" Kaya was already drooling at the thought of good food.
"Captain, this isn't fair!" Dorre crossed her arms in mock anger. "Why didn't I get a party when I joined?!"
Ren ignored the playful protests and summoned the Ark Maxim. In a flash, the luxurious ship soared to an altitude of 10,000 meters.
There, above the clouds, with no interruptions, the celebration began.
Everyone had a role. Some girls prepped the ingredients, others grilled meat, mixed drinks, or set up decorations. Laughter echoed through the evening sky.
Maya quickly fit in, swept up by their joyful energy.
Ren lit the bonfire, its flames casting golden light over the deck as the girls gathered around.
Clink!
Glasses touched, toasts were made.
"Captain, if everything's okay now," Makino said sweetly, "I'd like to drink too."
"Me too!" Angel Konis fluttered her wings eagerly.
Robin and Vivi enjoyed Carmen's delicious dishes, while the rest sang, danced, and laughed.
Even shy girls like Dashigi joined in the dancing. Vivi's and Dorre's gentle choreography charmed the crowd.
Of course, everyone eventually invited Ren to dance—and his awkward footwork made them burst into laughter.
With his hands behind his head, Ren gazed up at the sky, smiling with satisfaction. "Once we've invited all the beautiful women of the New World into the crew, I'll take you around the globe. Every dream you've ever had—we'll make them come true."
The girls one by one stepped forward, sharing their dreams.
Robin: "I want to decipher the ancient texts and uncover the true history."
Conis & Raki: "We want to become the world's best baristas!"
Dorre: "I just want the Captain to be... a little more generous. Three times a day!"
The girls burst out laughing at Dorre's boldness, but their dreams lit up the evening sky.
Ren turned to Maya. "Maya, what about you? What's your dream?"
She hesitated, then looked up with clear, shining eyes.
And in that moment, she realized—maybe her dream was already starting.