Prologue

The Journey Begins!

"Never underestimate us just because we kid around."

-Dante Flame

[Author’s note: the dialogues here are a word-representation of that of manga (Japanese comics). So I highly recommend readers to read a manga (a comedy one if possible) to get the actual visualization of the moods and expressions conveyed by the dialogues of the characters. Also, I’ve tried my best to present a Japanese manga in the form of an English novel. HAPPY READING!]

“KAGE~! RUN~!!!” Dante dashed past the market, clutching a couple of sak’e¹ bottles.

“I don’t need you to tell me that!” Kage replied, chasing behind him, “these marines sure are a pain in the ass!”

“heh!” Dante dashed to a thin passage between two buildings. Kage followed, and so did the marines. After sprinting for a while, Dante stopped abruptly, turning around. Kage stopped with a perplexed expression, and so did the marines, wondering about the reason for one of the most dreaded pirates to stop in his escape.

“Dead end!!” Dante declared, grinning.

“YOU DIDN’T KNOW!!!?”  the marines’ jaws fell in shock.

“Fine then.” Kage sighed. “let’s finish this.”

“Sure” Dante set his bottles down, “but why are marines bothered by simple thefts like that of a few sak’e bottles?”

“maybe they’re just jobless.” Kage suggested.

“NO!! THAT’S BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE COSLIEST WINES, BAKANE²!~!” the Marine squad-head exclaimed.

“Anyways…” Dante sighed. “shall we end this?”

“yeah!” kage instantly drew out two of his swords.

“two?” Dante rose an eye-brow.

“there’s too many of them…” kage justified.

“oh yeah?” Dante bolted forward, past kage, with a grin, “FLAME HOWL!!!”

Dante’s mouth swelled out and he spewed out a huge wave of flames. The marines readied themselves for the well-known attack, but however, fell prey. Most of the marines had been knocked off cold by the flames, barring the captain and a handful of them. Kage groaned, fuming at Dante.

“what?” Dante asked, shrugging.

“you took out most of my part too, you know.” Kage scowled, “and I believed I could enjoy this one…”

“sh-shut up!” the squad captain charged forward with his sword.

“eh? Don’t you have guns too?” Dante asked.

“I don’t like to use guns on small-fries like you!” he roared, his voice shaking with fright.

“then why are you afraid?” Dante sighed, “geez… what a terrible liar…”

“DODGE!!” the captain ordered, thrusting his sword forward.

“think again…” The sword clashed against kage’s katana³. “… whether you want that bounty or your head.”

The captain just realized kage’s second katana to be levitating beside his neck. He gulped, as his comrades stood frozen in fright, more than anger. “y- you are the bou- bounty hunter… k- ka… ge…?”

“bingo.” Kage glared down at the small and stout man with his sharp eyes. Well, any person looked puny before the towering body of kage.

“s..s..s…sorry…” the captain quivered, “m… -mercy…”

“hrrmmm? What’s that?” kage sneered.

Kage swung out both his katana, slicing the captain’s blade. The captain, fainted in fright, as he saw kage move. Dante’s eye caught a silhouette of a person lurking in the shadows of an opposite passage. Dante’s eyes grew serious. He held out his arm.

“Duck!”

The next moment several rounds of firing rang in the sky, overlapping any other sound. Kage relaxed from his last defense stance, letting dozens off cut bullets fall down. The person behind this attack moved out, revealing his identity as a marine captain. He glared at kage, who grunted in dejection.

“I missed twice…” kage sighed “should’a drawn another blade…”

Oh, by the way, kage has seven katana

“isn’t this the dreaded duo?” the marine grinned, walking towards the pirates, “Flame Pirates…”

“I s’pose…” Dante yawned, “man, I haven’t slept well since we ran outta sak’e.”

“I’ll put you both to sleep now.” The marine grinned, “ya’ know me?”

“no.” Dante nodded.

“who the hell are you?” kage added.

“OII!!! I’m captain Gunner Jacker!!!” the marine exclaimed in shock.

“weird name…” Dante muttered loud enough for everyone to hear.

“OBVIOUSLY IT’S MY NICK NAME!!!” Jacker exclaimed, exhasperated.

“Fine.” Dante blazed up. “Let’s end this, Shunner!”

“Its jacker!”

“whatever…” Dante sighed.

“Okay!!! I’ll kill you hard and cold!!!” jacker raised up both his guns, aiming at the pirates. He pulled the triggers, lashing out several rounds of bullets.

“Kage, move back.” Dante said. The next moment, he leaped forward, his body bursting in flames. He tore through the bullets, burning them. He leaped up, hovering above jacker, before striking him with his blazing fist. Jacker fell back, stunned at the failure of his bullets.

“what are you!!?” jacker exclaimed, losing it.

“remember this well.” Dante glared at jacker, looming over him. His eyes gleamed white, like a hound’s, behind the flames. “never underestimate me, or my crew, just because we kid around. I can easily wipe your whole port off the coast. Understood?”

“y-yeah…” Jacker stammered, bewildered at his defeat.

The next instant, the flames faded away and dante reverted back to his old, kidding self. “so see ya, Oyajii4-san5!!!”

“WHAT THE HELL!!!?” The gaped behind the pirates as they walked away, happy with their loot.

***

TRANSLATIONS:

      

      (1) Sak’e (pronounced Saa-Ke)- Japanese Rice Wine

      (2) Bakane (pronounced Baa-kaa-ne)- idiot (Japanese)

(3)Katana (pronounced kaa-taa-naa)- Japanese sword (usually used by samurai)
(4)Oyajii (pronounced O-yaa-jee)- Old bearded Guy
(5)San (pronounced saa-n)- Mr.

Roe Veonra

Status: Alive

Gender: Female

Occupation: Pirate

Ship: Floating Flames

Bounty: 80, 000

Age: 25

Likes: Magic, Water

Dislikes: Dogs

Roe is one of the main characters, who is a crew-mate in the Floating Flames Crew. She has an unique past, belonging to an age old race of humans who inhabit the deepest ocean beds. She is the princess of the ruling clan of this under-water race. She is the fourth member of crew and posses magic and mostly healing abilities.

APPEARANCE:

Roe has a dark, tanned skin. She has a curvy figure and average bosoms. Her most recognized feature is her dark skin and cat-like eyes. She has a pointy nose and violet eyes. Her pink-purple hair falls down till her waist. She has pointy ears and a black birth-mark on her midriff, under her chest. She is as tall as Aiko and is pretty cheerful. 

Just like most other characters, her outfit changes over the chapters. However, she is usually seen in a sleeveless suit with jeans. Her hair is tied in a long ponytail. She has a slim built and her face is framed with two bangs of her hair. 

PERSONALITY:
Roe has a cheerful personality and is full of fun. She had a curiosity of the world above the water, which made her follow Dante.  She doesn't like to fight, but can, when necessary. She is shown to be kind and selfless, healing others even when her stamina is low. She is loyal and saw Aiko as a sister.  

COMMON TERMS AND TIPS

I am relating this post to some terms that you will find in the book. Also, I'd like to give out s secret. The most common terms are mostly taken from other Animes (yes, I'm a thief!!!). Still I'd like to explain them once.

COMMON TERMS:

1. Most of the terms found are actually Japanese words. So refer a Dictionary, or Google Translate (Even I       used it!) If you don't get any word, email me at hailpirates@gmail.com

2. DRAGON SLAYERS- it is a level of power where the user can use it to slay dragons. These are                                                      achieved by two methods=
                                                                               (i) Train your power to that extent.
                                                                               (ii) learn from a dragon, or absorb a dragon's scale.                                                                                       (recommended only for mages)

3. KI or QUI- It is the natural energy that flows within us. When it boosts up, we get an aura around us.                              Every living thing possess KI. It is the vital life force. It's color varies from person to person.                          It is also called Chakra. It can be controlled by meditation. It gives us few natural powers like                        Minor Telekinesis and Hypnosis. Sohei (age-old Japanese warrior Monks) used this to                                  create secret, supernatural, attacks.

4. KIAI- It is an KI attack used by Sohei (mentioned above). It is performed by throwing our accumulated                  KI, verbally (with a shout), as a weapon. It strikes the opponent, stunning or even paralyzing him.                  However, the effect wears off in a minute or so. The usual shouts are 'HA' or 'HO'. Those who                      have attained  perfection, use the shout 'KIAI!'. The shout, anyways, doesn't matter. What matters                is the KI used.

5. TAI-JUTSU-  It is the Japanese, traditional term for Martial Arts.

KAGE HIROGANE

Status: Alive

Gender: Male

Occupation: Pirate

Ship: Floating Flames

Bounty: 10 million

Age: 28

Likes: Katana (swords) and other weapons

Dislikes: Guns, Mr.X

OVERVIEW: 

Kage is one of the major characters of the series. He is also the  character to be introduced from the crew, except Dante. He is from the far south-eastern, secluded group of islands that were once densely inhabited. He was from the family of the royal army's Chief Commander. Due to this reason, he too has a killer-instinct and is surprisingly agile and strong. Also, after his family and his village was completely assassinated, he became feared as a bounty-hunter. He is wanted for being a part of the Floating Flames crew.

APPEARANCE:

Kage has a rather unique appearance that makes him stand out a lot. He has spiky, jet-black hair and his way too tall. He literally looms over any person of average height (Dante included). As a matter of fact, Dante barely reaches Kage's chest. Another unique trait of Kage, is his collection of Katana (swords). He proudly exhibits seven swords fastened to his body, over his dress. Each blade has a different blade, earned from a different Sensei (master) who trained him. Three strongest swords are strapped to his back, while the other four (used to minor and swift strikes) are buckled to his waist. 

Kage has a shade deeper complexion than Dante. He is usually seen donned a kimono and wearing wooden, traditional sandal. He has cold black eyes, that are smaller than Dante's beady, big ones. His eyes are thinner and seem to be that of a hawk's. Also his muscular body exhibits huge scars of blades and cuts. 

PERSONALITY:
Kage has a quiet personality. Though he is quiet, he is a dangerous opponent. He is always ready to battle, ready to kill. His killer instinct is better than many other pirates. He has a sharp eye and is observant. Another side of his personality is his alcohol-loving side. He has an addiction towards alcohol, and more specifically Sak'e (rice wine- famous in Japan). His personality closely resembles that of an age-old, Japanese Samurai. Also, another strong trait of his personality is his loyalty. 

HISTORY:

Kage had a difficult childhood. He was born as a weak, thin child, who lacked stamina. Born in an army family, he created a lot of issue for his parents, and also was mistreated and tormented by others. After he lost his parents, and began living with his grandfather, his problems only increased. Unable to bear this at the age of 10, he ran away from his house. With hatred towards his grandfather, and to pay-back, he took refuge with Gamitarou, one of the Seven Legendary Swordsmen, of that time. He trained under all seven of them, before he learned of Mr. X and the assassination of his village. When he was targeted by that guy's men, he was ultimately rescued by Dante and soon joined his crew.

ABILITIES:

Kenjustsu (swordsmanship)-

-Two-Blade Hawk

- Four-blade Dragonfly

- Three-Blade Salamander

Ancient Lost Styles

Archery

Tai-Jutsu (martial arts)

TRIVIA:

1) Kage was first decided to be a pirate hunter

2) He was planned to be a Ninja

3) His basic appearance meets that of Kenpachi Zaraki, from Bleach.   

4) Earlier he was shown to maintain a personal Diary, that Dante once read.

      

AIKO EZAKO

OTHER INFORMATION:

Status- Alive

Gender- Female

Occupation- Pirate

Crew- Floating Flames

Bounty- 51 million

Age- 25

Likes- Sohei, Shinobi, Dante
Dislikes- Getting Lost

SUMMARY:
Aiko comes from the Eastern Continent, and belongs to the ruling Sohei (warrior monk) clan. She was orphaned a bit earlier before the series and was adopted by the Royal trainer named Juromu, and was brought up to be the next Sohei Queen.


APPEARANCE:
Aiko is the main female protagonist of the series. She has jet black hair that falls down to below her lower back, usually tied in a ponytail. Just like other character, her outfit changes continuously. She has a fair complexion and is an inch shorter than Dante. She usually wore a kimono or a yukata before the time-skip. She has a pair of pearly eyes, jet black as her hair, and is one of the most beautiful females of the book.
She has ample of breast and is overall slim.

PERSONALITY:
Aiko earlier had a cold and serious personality.  But she loosened up after joining Dante. Being trained in Shinobi (ninja) arts, she is very observant and wise. She also has a great sense of direction and a killer-instinct. She also has a secret crush on Dante.

WEAPONS:
Aiko is usually seen with a handful of shuriken, tanto and kunai. Also explosive tags (used by ninjas in old days) are seen. Aiko can also wield a katana (sword) and arrows. Along with these, Aiko can also use several Sohei weapons like Naginatand several more. She is also trained in Tai-Jutsu (Martial Arts) and can also use Sohei's secret art- Kiai (Vocal Attack)

TRIVIA:
1. Aiko earlier had short hair.

2. Her hair was first decided to be brown.

3. Aiko's character is based on Shuurei from Color Cloud Palace.

DANTEI FLAME

STATUS-  Alive

GENDER- Male

OCCUPATION- Pirate

SHIP- Floating Flames

AGE- 26

BOUNTY- 440, 213, 100 dollars

LIKES- His crew, oceans, fire.

HATES- Marines

Dantei is the main protagonist plus a happy go lucky pirate.  Wielding the element of fire, he is a dreaded pirate. He is supposed to be one of the top 10 WANTED PIRATES. Very innocent and naive, he believes in Living One's Life To The Fullest.  He likes fire, his crew, etc and dislikes Marines.

APPEARANCE:
Dante has wild, messy overgrown black hair. He has wheatish complexion and is of average height.  His clothes change from a plain t-shirt and jeans to Japanese Kimonos, Yukatas and even English Suits. He has black-brown eyes and thin eyebrows.  Earlier (in the first book) he had a Katana (sword), though it is absent from the second book.

PERSONALITY:
Dante has an indefinable personality.  Though he seems to be serious in one situation,  he is comical in another. As he became an orphan at a very young age and had lived with pirates ever since, he has a similar personality. Though, one thing is clear that he really values other's life and would never kill his opponent after victory.  Also, he doesn't tolerate any harm to his Nakama (comrades).

HISTORY:
Born in a Pirate's Hideout Island, he's 26 years old now. 16 years earlier, after his mother's death, he left his home, and became  a Pirate's apprentice. At the youhg age of 7, he was gifted a rare Flames Blade. He later was able to wield fire on his own. After leaving his pirate tutor, he met up with his first crewmate,  Kage, in the latter's island. Then these pirates began their adventure.


POWERS:

Flames Manipulation-
1. Flame orbs
2. Flame wave
3. Flame Explosions
4. Dragon Slayer Forms
 -Flame Dragon Slayer
 -Lightning Fire Dragon Slayer


TRIVIA:

1) Though he's name is English, he speaks Japanese better!
2) The earlier version of Dante had first red, then brown hair, before I finally decided on black.
3) His name is still not decided: whether it is Dante or Dantei.
4) The sword he carried in the start goes missing after a while.
5) Don't know why he's a dragon slayer when he hasn't met any dragon...yet.
6) His personality is not defined.

 THATS ALL!!!!!!!!!!!

Summarised Summary

The story revolves around a happy-go-lucky pirate dreaded by the name 'Dante Flame' and his crew as the leap across the world, living their lives to the fullest, each of them carrying some past wounds in their hearts.

However the big twist is the power possessed by the crew and the world. Right from element powers to angels and demons, this book has it all! For characters info, check the WANTED CARDS....