OP: Sovereign of Blood and Seas

The sun rose over the bloodied decks of two ships now sailing in tandem through the East Blue's calm waters. Eric stood at the helm of the Marine patrol ship they had commandeered, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon. The second vessel, the pirate ship they had claimed in battle, sailed close behind, its black flag still fluttering in defiance.

Nami leaned against the railing, her gaze shifting between the two ships. "We've got two ships now," she said, her tone sharp. "And not nearly enough people to run them both properly."

Eric smirked, his hands steady on the wheel. "That's the next step. We need a crew."

"You think people are just going to line up to join a crew captained by someone with a twenty-million-berry bounty?" Nami asked, raising an eyebrow.

"They won't have a choice," Eric replied, his grin widening. "By the time I'm done, everyone will want to join us—or get out of our way."

The plan was straightforward: sail to Kaijo Island, their recent staging ground, and recruit the men and women they needed to turn their two ships into a fleet. Aran Blacktongue had already begun spreading the word among his contacts, using the victory over the Marine patrol ship to build buzz.

By the time they docked at Kaijo's bustling harbor, the energy in the air was palpable. Eric and Aran disembarked together, with Nami trailing behind, her expression skeptical as always.

The tavern they entered was packed, the air thick with the scent of rum and sweat. Pirates, mercenaries, and traders filled the space, their conversations humming with speculation and intrigue.

"There he is," someone muttered as Eric walked in, their eyes widening. "The Blood Shadow."

Eric smirked, letting the whispers ripple through the crowd. He didn't need to say anything—his reputation was doing the work for him.

Aran led them to a private room in the back, where a group of rough-looking men and women waited. They were an eclectic bunch—some scarred and battle-worn, others young and hungry for glory. All of them looked up as Eric entered, their gazes heavy with expectation.

"This is it?" Eric asked, his tone cool.

"For now," Aran said, leaning against the doorframe. "They're the ones who were curious enough to show up. Whether they stay depends on you."

Eric stepped forward, his sharp eyes sweeping over the room. "You all know who I am," he began, his voice calm but commanding. "And you've heard what I've done. I'm not here to make promises or tell you what you want to hear. If you join me, you're not just signing up for another pirate crew—you're joining a movement. A chance to be part of something bigger than yourselves."

The room was silent, the weight of his words settling over the gathered recruits.

"Why should we follow you?" one man asked, his voice rough. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a jagged scar running across his nose. "Plenty of captains talk big. What makes you different?"

Eric met the man's gaze without flinching. "Because I don't just talk. I deliver."

He extended his hand, his fingers curling into a fist. The blood pooling in a cut on his palm shimmered, rising into the air and solidifying into a crimson blade. Gasps rippled through the room as the recruits watched, their disbelief giving way to awe.

"You've heard the stories," Eric said, his voice steady. "I took down Ironfang. I led a raid on a Marine patrol ship and walked away with their supplies and their pride. If you follow me, I'll show you what it means to be unstoppable."

The room erupted in whispers, the recruits exchanging glances.

"You want proof?" Eric continued, his eyes narrowing. "Come with me. Fight with me. And I'll show you why they call me the Blood Shadow."

By the time the meeting ended, half the room had pledged their loyalty to Eric. The rest left, some muttering doubts, others too intimidated to stay.

Nami leaned against the wall as the last of the recruits filed out, her arms crossed. "Not bad," she said, her tone grudgingly approving.

"You sound surprised," Eric said, grinning.

"I didn't think you could get that many to buy in," she admitted. "But don't forget—words are cheap. They'll follow you now, but one mistake, and they'll turn on you in a heartbeat."

"Then I won't make mistakes," Eric replied.

Nami rolled her eyes but didn't argue.

The next few days were spent preparing the two ships for their journey. The recruits were divided between the Marine patrol ship and the captured pirate vessel, their roles assigned based on their skills. Aran took command of the pirate ship, while Eric kept the patrol ship under his direct control.

The crew's morale was high, bolstered by Eric's growing reputation and the promise of glory. But beneath the surface, tensions simmered.

"Not everyone trusts you," Nami said one evening, as she and Eric stood on the deck of the patrol ship, watching the moonlight dance on the waves.

"I noticed," Eric said, his tone even.

"Some of them think you're dangerous," she continued. "That your powers make you... unnatural."

"They're not wrong," Eric said, his grin faint.

Nami frowned. "You're not worried?"

"No," he said, his gaze steady. "Fear is a powerful motivator. As long as they respect me, they'll follow. And if anyone steps out of line…"

His grin sharpened, and the blood dagger materialized in his hand.

Nami sighed, rubbing her temples. "You're impossible."

"Maybe," Eric said, his tone softening. "But you're still here."

She looked away, her cheeks coloring faintly. "Don't make me regret it."

The fleet's first test came sooner than expected. As they sailed toward a rumored Marine supply depot, a pirate crew flying the flag of the Red Vultures intercepted them. The Vultures were infamous in the East Blue, known for their ruthless tactics and brutal raids.

Eric stood at the helm, his eyes narrowing as the enemy ship approached.

"They're not going to back off," Aran's voice crackled through a Den Den Mushi. "Vultures never do."

"Then we show them why that's a mistake," Eric replied.

The battle was a chaotic blur of cannon fire, clashing steel, and shouts of rage. Eric led the charge, his blood weapons carving through the Vultures' ranks like a storm.

His crew fought fiercely, their morale bolstered by his presence. Even the recruits who had doubted him seemed emboldened, their blades flashing as they cut down their enemies.

The turning point came when Eric faced the Vultures' captain—a towering man with a jagged blade and a cruel sneer.

"You're the Blood Shadow?" the captain snarled, his blade swinging in a wide arc.

Eric dodged effortlessly, his blood dagger parrying the strike. "And you're just another name no one will remember."

The fight was brutal, but Eric's powers gave him the edge. He used Blood Puppeteer to turn the Vultures' own men against them, sowing chaos and confusion.

When the captain fell, the rest of the Vultures scattered, their resolve shattered.

As the battle ended and the crew celebrated their victory, Eric stood at the helm, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

"This is just the beginning," he muttered, his voice low but filled with determination.

Nami joined him, her expression a mix of frustration and admiration. "You've got them eating out of your hand," she said.

"They'll follow because they see the vision," Eric replied. "And because they know I won't stop until we have it all."

Nami shook her head, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Just try not to get yourself killed in the process."

Eric grinned. "No promises."