The salty breeze of the open sea whipped through your hair as The Leviathan sailed through the crystal-clear waters. The sunlight sparkled on the waves, but despite the serene scene, the air was thick with tension. The reason? Captain Azul Ashengrotto.

Azul stood on the deck, dressed in a dark captain's coat embroidered with silver thread, the signature insignia of an octopus subtly integrated into the design. A pirate hat rested on his white hair, slightly tilted as he looked out to sea, a calculated smirk playing on his lips. His gloved hand twirled his cane lazily, its silver head glinting in the light, though the real weapon lay hidden in the compartments of his coat and, more dangerously, in his mind.

He turned to you, his loyal confidant, and one of the few he could truly rely on, though trust might be too strong a word when it came to Azul. "Ah, my dear," he greeted, his voice smooth and almost too sweet. "It seems we've come across another unfortunate vessel that happened to stray into our waters."

You glanced out at the horizon, spotting the sails of a merchant ship in the distance. A smaller target, easy pickings for a pirate like Azul. But you knew better—nothing was ever as simple with him.

His blue eyes gleamed as he closed the distance between you two. "Shall we pay them a visit? Perhaps make a trade, if they’re willing," he suggested, though you knew "trade" was often a one-sided term when Azul was involved. His contracts aboard the ship were as binding as the ones in his Octavinelle days, and his sharp negotiation skills could leave even the bravest of captains begging for mercy.

You nodded, and with that, Azul gave the order.

The crew, seasoned and ever cautious under Azul's command, scrambled to obey, knowing full well that any hesitation could lead to a swift "restructuring" of duties—Azul was not a captain to tolerate weakness.

“Remember,” Azul whispered to you as the ships drew closer, his voice a quiet purr, “The seas may be treacherous, but I am far more dangerous.”