Jorak's head popped out of the water with a bizarre-looking alien fish on his head. He coughed out bucket loads of water.
"Hey, nice hat! Is that the latest fashion trend on the Beast world?" Viro said jokingly, handing off a tree branch like a monkey.
Jorak's face went bloodshot as he grabbed the fish off his head and hurled it at him.
"You dare mock the Beast?! I'll have you know I've been dragged through far worse than this!"
He leaped out of the water, landing on the shore with a dramatic pose, head up, bent over by the waist, one hand pointed to the ground and one to the sky.
"In the glory of the ring, I've faced challengers from the darkest corners of the galaxy! I've—"
Viro mirrored his pose.
"Is this how you do it? Am I 'Beast' enough now?"
Jorak's eye twitched.
"You think this is a joke you piece of scrap metal!? You're about to find out why they call me the Galactic Rattlesnake!"
Meanwhile, on the other floating piece of land was Kaeline and Velzari.
"What happened? Why are we up here?" Velzari said, confused as he looked all around him.
"It seems your captain is unfortunate enough to be facing our co-captain. Talon's abilities are... impressive." Kaeline said calmly, standing roughly fifteen meters away from him.
Velzari began to sweat.
"Co…Captain? If their Co-captain is this powerful, just how strong is their captain?"
He shook his head, refocusing his thoughts as he turned towards her, dusting himself off. With a slight bow, he smiled.
"Where are my manners? I am Velzari, proud warrior of Almara in the Trappist star system. Our people, the Almaraians, are known across the Viridion galaxy for our strength and beauty. And what about you?"
"I am Kaeline Amanokage, of the Amanokage clan from the world of Urovia." Kaeline replied dryly.
"Urovia? The Amanokage clan? I must admit, I've never heard of your world or your people."
"It's not surprising. Urovia is a hidden world in a small galaxy far far away, intentionally kept secret from the rest of the universe."
"A hidden world?... Why the secrecy?"
"Urovia is a world of shinobi. Our ways are not like those of other civilizations, along with the many other worlds in our galaxy."
"Shinobi? I'm unfamiliar with that term. What does it mean?"
"Shinobi are warriors who operate in the shadows. We use stealth, deception, and unconventional tactics to achieve our goals."
Velzari's face twisted with pure disgust.
"Stealth? Deception? What a repulsive way of fighting. Where's the honor in that?"
"Honor... is a complex concept for a shinobi. Our way of life is one of constant adaptation, of doing what must be done to protect our clans and our world."
She reached behind her, pulling out a kunai.
"In the shadows, there is no single path to victory. A shinobi must be prepared to use any means necessary, to make the hard choices that others cannot. It is a burden we bear, a sacrifice we make for the greater good."
She began to twirl the kunai in her hand, moving it from one finger to the other.
"The path of the shinobi is not an easy one. It demands everything from us—our strength, our will, our very lives. But it is a path we choose, knowing full well the price we may pay."
She squatted down into her fight stance, her kunai held up at eye level.
"So, you see, Velzari, honor for a shinobi is not found in the method of our combat, but in the purpose behind it. We fight in the shadows so that others may live in the light."
Velzari stared at her with a blank look before finally speaking.
"Hmmm… I may not agree with your ways, but I can't deny your conviction."
He squatted down into his own fight stance, his yellow essence flowing around him.
"But conviction alone won't be enough to win this fight."
On the other floating piece of land, Sera looked around stunned.
"How... How did you do that? That power... it's impossible!"
"What's the matter? Never seen real power before, haven't you?"
Sera's shock quickly switched into anger.
"Oh, please! Spare me your pathetic attempts at banter. Your lines are as corny as your outfit, and that smug attitude? It's so last season!"
Talon's eye twitched.
"Corny? Last season? This coming from the walking theater reject? I've seen better acting from a Gorgalian soap opera!"
"GORGALIAN WHAAAAAAT!!??"
The captured crew watched the exchange, their eyes darting between the two as if they were watching Serena and Venus go at it.
Sera gasped dramatically and clutched her chest.
"How dare you! I'll have you know my performances are universally acclaimed!"
"Yeah, universally acclaimed as a cure for insomnia."
Suddenly, Talon's demeanor shifted. She stood straight up as she looked towards Sera.
"Enough of the games. Who the hell are you, and why are you here?"
Sera's flamboyant smile returned. She bowed.
"I am Sera Vex, captain of the starborne troupe, hailing from the glorious world of Tyrrha Prime in the Vespera System, the best star system in the galaxy. And a B-class star traveler, darling."
She pointed towards Talon.
"And you, my dear, should consider joining us. The Grand Order could use someone of your... talents."
"I'd rather strangle myself to death with my tail." Talon replied dryly with zero hesitation.
Sera's face twisted in anger, but she stopped and took a deep breath.
"You're making a mistake, all of you. They won't be pleased by your interference."
"Who's they? And what do they want with the people of this world?"
Sera waved a hand towards her.
"Who they are is none of your concern. But the people of this world... they're special. They're the key to our goals, to toppling the Accord. That's all you need to know." She said as she raised both of her hands, countless strings covered in her blue essence dancing all around the both of them.
"Now come on you talentless nobody. I'll do something better than strangle you."