One Piece: Rise of the harem king

The morning sun hung low as Xander and his crew—Mari, Nojiko, and Nami—walked along the dirt path leading away from Cocoyashi Village. Behind them, the liberated village was filled with life again, the smiles of the villagers echoing their newfound freedom.

"Are you sure about this, Xander?" Nojiko asked, her voice tinged with hesitation as she glanced back at the shrinking village.

Xander, walking ahead, turned his crimson gaze toward her. "Freedom is something worth fighting for, Nojiko. But it's even better when you're exploring it yourself."

Mari, carrying a bag of food supplies for the journey, grinned as she adjusted her hat. "Don't forget—he's the kind of guy who always drags people into the unknown. But it's worth it."

Nami, who had spent the past night quietly contemplating her future, finally spoke. "Well, let's see if this so-called 'freedom' is all you claim it to be." She folded her arms and looked at Xander with a mixture of skepticism and amusement. "So… where are we even headed?"

Xander's lips curled into a smirk. "Before we go anywhere, there's something you all need to see."

---

The group stopped at the edge of a small cliff overlooking the sparkling blue sea. Xander, reached into his inventory , and pulled out a rolled-up black flag. The fabric unfurled with a dramatic snap in the wind.

The Jolly Roger fluttered before them:

A skull with crimson eyes, menacing and fearless.

Two crossed swords behind it, shining as symbols of strength.

Surrounding the skull was a swirling crimson storm pattern, like a gust of fierce wind frozen in time.

Nami's jaw dropped slightly as she studied the flag. "That's… impressive."

Mari beamed. "That's one badass flag, Xander! It suits you."

Nojiko, her arms crossed but a small smile on her face, tilted her head. "And this is supposed to represent us? Your crew?"

Xander nodded, his crimson eyes glinting as the wind tugged at his hair. "From now on, we'll be known as The Crimson Storm Pirates. A storm that brings freedom wherever it goes."

Nojiko's smile grew softer. "A storm, huh? I can live with that."

Nami smirked, trying to suppress her excitement. "So we're really doing this, then? Sailing under your flag?"

Xander turned to face them all, his presence commanding. "We'll sail these seas together. You, Nami, will be our Navigator—someone who can guide us anywhere. Nojiko, you'll find your own strength on this journey. And Mari, you're our cook—keeping us fed and alive."

The three women exchanged glances before looking back at him.

Mari grinned. "Fine by me, Captain."

Nojiko shrugged but smiled. "I never thought I'd become a pirate… but you're not like other captains, are you?"

Nami let out a small laugh, resting a hand on her hip. "You're crazy. But all right, Captain Crimson Storm. I'll help you—for now."

Xander turned, holding the flag high. "Then it's settled. The Crimson Storm Pirates set sail today!"

The wind roared as if in response, whipping the flag to life and carrying it over the open sea.

---

The next day, as their ship sailed across calm waters, a sharp cry echoed overhead.

"Caw! Caw!"

Nami squinted up into the sky. "A News Coo?"

A seagull with a messenger bag swooped down and perched on the mast, dropping a rolled-up newspaper onto the deck. Mari tossed a coin to the bird, and it flew off with a satisfied squawk.

Xander picked up the paper and unrolled it, his crimson eyes narrowing as he skimmed the front page. Suddenly, a grin tugged at his lips.

"Well, ladies," he said, turning the paper around for them to see. "Looks like we've made the headlines."

Wanted: Dead or Live

Name: Storm Xander

Bounty: 20,000,000 Beli

Poster Description: Xander's face, hair whipping in the wind, crimson eyes glowing ominously beneath the bold title of "The Crimson Storm."

Nami nearly choked on air. "20 million?! That's insane!"

Mari whistled low, her eyes widening. "That's a big number for someone who just started."

Nojiko frowned slightly but nodded. "Arlong's defeat made waves. The Marines must have taken notice."

Xander smirked, folding the paper and tucking it under his arm. "It's only the beginning. There's a lot more to come."

Nami crossed her arms and huffed. "You know this makes us targets, right? Every bounty hunter and Marine out there is going to come for us."

Xander's gaze was calm but resolute. "Let them come. If we want to sail freely, we'll face anyone who stands in our way."

Mari grinned, nudging Nojiko. "He's got a point. We're part of the Crimson Storm now—no turning back."

Nojiko let out a small laugh. "Guess I'll have to get used to it, then."

Xander turned to the sea ahead, his eyes gleaming with determination. "The Crimson Storm Pirates are just getting started."

---

End of Chapter 14

Progress and Updates:

Bounty Issued: Storm Xander - 20,000,000 Beli

Pirate Crew Name: The Crimson Storm Pirates

Jolly Roger: Unveiled to the crew