John wick in one piece

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The sloop rocked gently in the waves as Michael tightened the straps on his gear, ensuring his weapons were secure. He stood at the helm, studying the tattered bounty posters he had picked up at the last port. Each one bore the sneering face of a pirate or outlaw, their crimes listed in bold letters beneath their images. The payout for each was enough to make the risk worthwhile.

Lia sat nearby, watching him with a mix of curiosity and concern. "You're really going to hunt them?"

"We need the money," Michael said, folding the posters and tucking them into his belt. "If we want Declan to finish the ship, we'll need materials—and those don't come cheap."

"But it's dangerous," Lia said, her voice quieter now. "You could get hurt."

Michael gave her a faint smile. "I've been hurt before. I'll be fine. Besides, it's not just about the money. Taking these guys down makes the seas a little safer—for people like us."

Lia didn't look convinced, but she nodded. "Just… be careful."

"I will," Michael said. "And you stay here. Keep the ship ready in case we need to move fast."

The first target on Michael's list was a small-time pirate named Renzo "Hook Hand." According to the poster, Renzo operated out of a hidden cove a few miles south of their current position. His bounty wasn't particularly high—only 2 million berries—but it was a start.

Michael guided the sloop toward the cove, keeping his eyes on the horizon. The waters grew darker as they neared the jagged cliffs that concealed the pirate's hideout. He anchored the sloop at a safe distance, then slipped into a small rowboat, rowing silently toward the shore.

The cove was eerily quiet, the only sounds the lapping of waves and the occasional cry of a seabird. Michael pulled the boat onto the beach and scanned the area. A faint trail of smoke rose from deeper within the cove, leading him to a makeshift camp hidden among the rocks.

He moved cautiously, his footsteps muffled by the sand. As he approached the camp, he spotted Renzo sitting by a fire, his metal hook glinting in the firelight. Three other pirates lounged nearby, their weapons within easy reach.

Michael crouched behind a boulder, studying the scene. Four targets. Armed but careless. He'd faced worse odds before. He took a deep breath, steadying himself, and moved in.

His first target didn't see him coming. Michael slipped behind the pirate and knocked him out with a swift strike to the back of the head. The man crumpled silently to the ground. The second pirate turned, his eyes widening in alarm, but Michael was faster. He grabbed the man's arm, twisting it sharply to disarm him, and delivered a quick blow to his jaw.

The commotion alerted Renzo and the remaining pirate. Renzo leapt to his feet, brandishing his hook with a sneer. "Who the hell are you?"

Michael stepped into the firelight, his expression calm. "Your ticket to the nearest marine base."

The remaining pirate charged at Michael with a rusty sword. Michael sidestepped the attack, using the momentum to pull the man off balance and disarm him. A quick kick sent the pirate sprawling into the sand, unconscious.

Renzo's sneer turned into a growl. "You think you're tough, huh? Let's see how tough you are against me."

He lunged at Michael, his hook slashing through the air. Michael dodged, staying light on his feet as Renzo attacked relentlessly. The pirate was fast, but his movements were wild and uncoordinated. Michael waited for an opening, then struck. He grabbed Renzo's wrist, twisting sharply to disarm him, and swept his legs out from under him.

Renzo hit the ground with a grunt, his hook clattering to the sand. Michael pinned him down, pulling a length of rope from his belt to secure his hands. "That's enough."

Renzo struggled, cursing and spitting, but Michael's grip was unyielding. He dragged the pirate back to the rowboat, securing him in the bow before rowing back to the sloop. Lia was waiting at the railing, her eyes wide as she watched Michael haul Renzo aboard.

"Is that him?" she asked.

"That's him," Michael said, tying the pirate to the mast. "Renzo 'Hook Hand.' His bounty's worth 2 million berries."

Lia frowned. "He doesn't look like much."

Michael chuckled. "He wasn't. But it's not always about how tough they are. Sometimes, it's just about being smarter."

They sailed to the nearest marine outpost, where Michael handed Renzo over in exchange for the bounty. The marine officer who processed the payment barely looked up from his ledger as he handed Michael a sack of berries.

"Two million, as promised," the officer said. "Plenty more where that came from if you're looking for work."

Michael nodded, pocketing the money. "I'll keep that in mind."

Back on the sloop, Lia helped him count the earnings, her excitement barely contained. "This is enough to cover some of the materials, right?"

"It's a start," Michael said. "But we'll need more."

Over the next few weeks, Michael took on more bounties, targeting low- to mid-level pirates across East Blue. Each hunt brought its own challenges, but Michael approached them with precision and strategy, always staying one step ahead of his targets. By the time they returned to Declan's workshop, they had enough to cover the first shipment of materials for the new ship.

Declan greeted them with a grin, wiping his hands on a grease-stained rag. "You've been busy."

"Had to be," Michael said, handing him the payment. "This enough to get started?"

Declan nodded, examining the coins and notes. "More than enough. I'll start bringing in the wood and iron tomorrow. You won't regret this."

Michael glanced at Lia, who was watching the conversation with quiet pride. "We're counting on you, Declan."

The shipwright chuckled. "Don't worry. When I'm done, you'll have the finest ship in East Blue. Maybe even the Grand Line."

As the sun set over the island, Michael stood on the deck of the sloop, watching the activity in the shipyard. The road ahead was still long, but they were making progress. With each bounty collected, each step taken, they were moving closer to their dream—and Michael was determined to see it through.

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