OP: Sovereign of Blood and Seas

The flames of battle had barely cooled before Eric called for a council. Skull Reef's defenders gathered in the central clearing, their faces lined with exhaustion but burning with pride. The clash with the Marines had left scars on the island—burned barricades, shattered traps, and a long list of the wounded—but the victory was undeniable.

Eric stood on a makeshift platform, his sharp gaze sweeping over the crowd. Behind him, Aran leaned casually against a post, his grin ever-present, while Nami stood off to the side, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable.

"This wasn't just a victory," Eric began, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "This was a message."

The crowd quieted, their attention fixed on him.

"The Marines thought they could take what we've built here," he continued, his tone growing sharper. "They thought they could break us. But we proved them wrong."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd.

"We've held this island twice now," Eric said, his eyes narrowing. "But holding isn't enough. If we stay on the defensive, they'll wear us down. We need to strike first. We need to take the fight to them."

Aran stepped forward, his crooked grin widening. "And how exactly do you plan to do that, Captain? The Marines don't exactly roll out the welcome mat for pirates."

Eric smirked, turning to face him. "By hitting them where it hurts."

He stepped to the map laid out on the table behind him, his finger tracing a route to a cluster of islands southeast of Skull Reef.

"This is the Emerald Archipelago," Eric said. "A chain of islands used as a supply hub for Marine patrols in the East Blue. Weapons, food, ammunition—it all passes through here."

Jax, standing near the front of the crowd, frowned. "You're talking about raiding a Marine supply base?"

"Not just raiding it," Eric said, his grin sharp. "Taking it. If we control their supplies, we control their ability to fight us."

A ripple of unease passed through the crowd. Even Aran's grin faltered slightly.

"That's a bold move," he said. "Risky, too. The Marines aren't going to let a base like that go without a fight."

"They'll fight," Eric said, his tone unyielding. "And they'll lose."

The crowd dispersed, the air buzzing with a mix of excitement and anxiety. Plans were made, weapons prepared, and the ships loaded for the journey.

Nami cornered Eric as he inspected the cannons salvaged from the wreckage of the Marine skiffs. Her sharp eyes bored into him, her tone low and edged with frustration.

"You're pushing too hard," she said. "This isn't just another raid, Eric. This is a full-scale assault."

"I know what it is," Eric replied, not looking up from the cannon he was checking.

"Do you?" she asked, stepping closer. "Because if this goes wrong, we lose everything. The island, the crew—everything we've built here."

Eric finally looked at her, his expression calm but steely. "If we don't move forward, we'll be stuck defending this island forever. The Marines will come back, and eventually, they'll bring enough firepower to overwhelm us. I'm not going to let that happen."

Nami's frown deepened, but she didn't argue further. She studied him for a long moment before sighing. "Just promise me you'll be careful."

Eric's smirk softened. "Always."

The journey to the Emerald Archipelago was tense. The fleet sailed in tight formation, the crew alert for any signs of Marine patrols. Nami navigated from the helm of the lead ship, her focus unshakable as she guided them through the shifting currents and hidden reefs.

Eric spent much of the voyage in the company of the crew, ensuring their morale remained high. He could see the doubt in some of their eyes, the weight of what they were about to attempt pressing down on them.

"We've done the impossible before," Eric reminded them, his voice steady. "And we'll do it again. Trust me."

By the time they reached the outskirts of the archipelago, the crew's determination had hardened into resolve.

The attack began under cover of darkness.

The Marine supply base was situated on the largest island in the chain, its docks bustling with activity as supplies were loaded and unloaded. The defenders were well-equipped but unprepared for the coordinated assault that descended upon them.

Eric led the charge, his blood blade gleaming in the moonlight as he cut through the first line of defenders. The hunger surged within him, sharpening his reflexes and driving him forward with relentless precision.

"Blood Puppeteer," he muttered, focusing on a fallen Marine.

The connection snapped into place, and the body jerked upright, its movements controlled by Eric's will. He sent it charging into the fray, its sudden resurrection sowing chaos among the defenders.

Aran fought beside him, his cutlass flashing as he carved through the enemy ranks. "You've got a real flair for making an entrance, Captain!"

"Just keep up," Eric replied, his smirk sharp.

The battle raged across the docks and into the base itself. Nami led a team to secure the supply depots, her quick thinking and sharp commands ensuring they encountered minimal resistance.

"Get those crates loaded!" she shouted, her knife flashing as she dispatched a Marine who had gotten too close. "We need to move fast!"

The defenders fought fiercely, but they were no match for the attackers' ferocity and coordination. By the time the sun began to rise, the base was in Eric's hands.

The aftermath was a scene of controlled chaos. Supplies were loaded onto the ships, the crew working tirelessly to secure their spoils before reinforcements could arrive.

Eric stood on the docks, his blood blade dissolving in his hand as he surveyed the wreckage. The battle had been brutal, but the victory was absolute.

Nami approached, her expression a mix of exhaustion and relief. "You did it," she said, her voice quiet.

"We did it," Eric corrected, his gaze steady.

She shook her head, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "You're impossible."

"Maybe," Eric said, his smirk faint. "But now we've got a foothold."

As the fleet sailed away from the Emerald Archipelago, laden with supplies and bolstered by victory, Eric stood at the helm, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

The battles would only grow harder, the stakes higher. But for the first time, he felt they had the advantage.

This wasn't just survival anymore. This was the beginning of something greater.

And Eric wouldn't stop until the East Blue was his.