The sun was just beginning to rise over the city of Akihabara, casting a golden glow over the rooftops. The quiet hum of the city waking up was almost meditative. Shiroe sat at his usual seat in Log Horizon's guild hall, sipping on a warm cup of tea. He glanced over the reports from the Round Table, but his mind drifted elsewhere.

  "Morning, Shiroe!" Naotsugu's energetic voice cut through the silence. "Still working?"

  Shiroe adjusted his glasses. "I was just going over some trade agreements with Minori."

  Minori, who had just stepped in from the kitchen carrying a tray of breakfast, gave a small nod. "Akihabara’s food supply is stabilizing now, but we're still dependent on the fishing and farming guilds."

  "Speaking of fishing—" Naotsugu grinned. "I heard that some rare fish have been showing up at Sarura Lake. I was thinking of heading there today. What do you think, Shiroe?"

  "Sarura Lake?" Shiroe mused. "That's a bit far, but if we go early, we should have time."

  "Then it's settled!" Naotsugu clapped a hand on Shiroe’s back. "We’ll get the gang together. What do you say, Akatsuki?"

  Akatsuki, who had been perched near the window, silently watching the busy streets below, simply gave a small nod. "Fishing is not my strong suit... but I will accompany you master."

  Sarura Lake was a breathtaking sight. Its crystal-clear blue waters shimmered under the mid-morning sun, reflecting the vibrant greens of the surrounding trees. Groups of adventurers had set up small camps along the shore, their fishing rods dipped lazily into the water. Some were already grilling their catches over open fires, and the smell of roasting fish drifted through the air.

  "Alright! Time to catch us some legendary fish!" Naotsugu declared, setting down a basket of bait and some old fishing rods.

  "You make it sound more heroic than it actually is," Shiroe remarked with a chuckle, taking a seat near the water.

  Tohya and Isuzu had tagged along, eager for a break from their usual routines. "Hey, if we catch enough fish, we should have a huge feast tonight!" Isuzu suggested enthusiastically.

  "That sounds fun!" Tohya agreed.

  Minori, ever the strategist, studied the water carefully before casting her line. "I read that different baits attract different fish. We should experiment."

  As the hours passed, the group had varying degrees of success. Naotsugu, despite his enthusiasm, had caught nothing but weeds and an old boot. Shiroe, with his calculated patience, had reeled in several medium-sized fish. Minori and Isuzu fared well, catching enough to feed the whole group.

  But the real surprise came from Akatsuki.

  "I got one," she said simply, her fishing rod bending under the weight of something large.

  "Whoa!" Naotsugu shouted. "Now that’s gotta be a big one!"

  Akatsuki narrowed her eyes, her grip tightening as she expertly reeled in her catch. With a final tug, the fish emerged—a massive, shimmering blue-scaled creature, its fins sparkling like brilliant gemstones in the sunlight.

  "No way! That’s a Sapphire Trout!" Tohya gasped. "Those are super rare!"

  Akatsuki tilted her head slightly, as if unimpressed. "...It was not difficult."

  Naotsugu groaned in defeat. "Even in fishing, you’re still a ninja."

  That evening, back at the guild hall, the group gathered in the dining area as Tohya and Minori prepared their feast. The smell of freshly grilled fish filled the room, mingling with the scent of butter and herbs.

  "Dinner is served!" Isuzu announced, helping bring plates to the table.

  The meal was a huge success. The fresh fish paired perfectly with the warm rice and roasted vegetables. Naotsugu took a dramatic bite, tears forming in his eyes. "This… this is the taste of victory."

  Shiroe smiled as he calmly sipped his tea, watching his friends enjoy the meal. These quiet moments, filled with laughter and companionship, were what made Akihabara feel like home.

  Akatsuki, who had been unusually quiet, suddenly spoke. "Next time… we should try deep-sea fishing."

  The room went silent for a moment before Naotsugu burst into laughter. "You’ve got the taste for it now, huh?"

  Shiroe simply adjusted his glasses like usual, hiding a small smile. "I suppose we’ll have to plan another trip."

  And with that, another peaceful day in Akihabara came to a close…

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  The Deep Sea

  A few days had passed since their fishing trip, and word of Akatsuki’s incredible catch had spread throughout Akihabara. As expected, The excited Naotsugu wouldn’t let the idea of deep-sea fishing go.

  "Alright, team! The next challenge awaits!" Naotsugu announced, standing triumphantly in the guild hall. "We’re heading to the Crescent Archipelago!"

  "The Crescent Archipelago…?" Shiroe repeated, folding his arms. "That’s quite the journey. We’d need a proper ship, not to mention supplies."

  "I already talked to the Marine Guild," Naotsugu said, grinning. "They’ll lend us a ship if we help clear out some pesky sea monsters on the way."

  Shiroe sighed, adjusting his glasses. "Of course there’s a catch."

  "Shiroe, you’re not backing out, are you?" Naotsugu teased. "You want to see what’s out there too, right?, it's more fun than working in that boring old office all day ain't it?"

  Akatsuki, standing in the corner ominously, nodded. "If the sea offers a greater challenge, I will face it."

  Tohya and Isuzu were equally excited. "An ocean adventure sounds amazing!" Isuzu exclaimed. "I wonder if there are sea shanties in the world of Elder Tale…"

  Minori looked concerned but determined. "We should prepare carefully. If there are sea monsters, we need a strategy."

  Shiroe sighed again but couldn’t help but make a small smile. "Alright. Let’s gather supplies and head to the docks. If we’re going on this journey, we’ll do it properly."

  And with that, the party set their sights on the vast ocean, unaware of the adventures—and dangers—that awaited them on the high seas.

  Voyage to the Crescent Archipelago!

  The excitement in the guild hall was palpable. After the success of their fishing trip to Sarura Lake, Naotsugu had rallied the group for an even grander adventure—deep-sea fishing in the Crescent Archipelago. But before they could set sail, preparations had to be made.

  Shiroe sat at the long table, quill in hand, making meticulous notes. "We’ll need enough supplies to last the trip. That means rations, extra fishing gear, and combat provisions in case we run into sea monsters."

  "Bah, you're overthinking it, bro!" Naotsugu grinned, stretching his arms behind his head. "All we need is a sturdy ship, some bait, and our trusty rods."

  Akatsuki, perched high on the windowsill, gave a small nod. "Preparedness is necessary. If the sea harbors stronger creatures, we must be ready."

  Minori arrived with a list of supplies. "I spoke with the Marine Guild. They’ll lend us a ship, but they warned about unpredictable weather and rogue monsters in the area."

  Isuzu’s eyes sparkled. "Then we should bring some music! Sea shanties make any voyage more fun!"

  Tohya pumped his fist. "And we’re going to need some proper sailor outfits! I want to look like a real adventurer of the sea!"

  Shiroe sighed, adjusting his glasses. "Fine. Let’s split up and gather what we need. We sail at dawn."

  The docks of Akihabara bustled with life as merchants, fishermen, and adventurers moved about, preparing for their own voyages. The ship provided by the Marine Guild, The Azure Horizon, was a sturdy, well-built vessel with reinforced hulls and a large deck perfect for both fishing and battle.

  Naotsugu slapped the wooden railing. "Now this is a real ship! Feels just like the old pirate games I used to play."

  Shiroe ran a hand along the mast, studying its construction. "It’s well-maintained. We should be able to handle rough waters."

  Akatsuki had already climbed to the crow’s nest, scanning the horizon. "Clear skies. For now."

  Minori and Tohya finished loading supplies while Isuzu strummed her lute, warming up for a performance. "Alright, everyone! What’s a voyage without a proper sendoff song?"

  As the anchor was raised and the ship began its journey, the crew gathered on deck. The wind filled the sails, and the ocean stretched endlessly before them. For a brief moment, there was nothing but the rhythmic crashing of waves and the call of seagulls.

  Then, Naotsugu broke the silence. "So… who’s betting I catch the biggest fish this time?"

  Shiroe pinched the bridge of his nose. "Let’s just focus on reaching the archipelago first."

  The Log Horizon guild hall was unusually lively as preparations for the deep-sea fishing expedition were well underway. Naotsugu had taken charge of gathering supplies, enthusiastically stacking barrels of preserved food and water near the entrance. Tohya and Isuzu helped check the ropes, nets, and fishing gear while Minori carefully reviewed their provisions to ensure they weren’t overpacking.

  Shiroe sat at the long wooden table, a map of the Crescent Archipelago spread before him. His fingers traced the routes carefully. “The Marine Guild has agreed to lend us a ship, but we’ll need to clear out some sea monsters along the way,” he said, adjusting his glasses.

  Naotsugu grinned. “A little monster-hunting never hurt anyone. Besides, we need to earn our keep.”

  Akatsuki, who had been sharpening her kunai, gave a slight nod. “The sea holds many unknown dangers. We should remain vigilant.”

  Isuzu excitedly clapped her hands together. “I wonder if we’ll get to see any mermaids! Oh, or maybe sea serpents! It’d be like a real adventure novel.”

  Minori sighed. “Let’s just focus on making sure we don’t run into any unnecessary trouble.”

  With all their preparations complete, the guild made their way to the docks, where their ship awaited—a sturdy, medium-sized vessel designed for both transport and combat. Several members of the Marine Guild stood ready to assist in setting sail.

  “Welcome aboard mateys,” said Captain Regan, a grizzled adventurer with a salt-and-pepper beard and a pirate hat. “Ye' be taking the Stormchaser. She’s a fast and sturdy girl, but don’t get careless. The sea is unpredictable.”

  Shiroe nodded. “We understand. We’ll follow your lead.”

  With the final supplies loaded, the crew cast off from the docks, and the Stormchaser began its journey toward the Crescent Archipelago.

  The ship cut through the open sea, the salty breeze filling the sails. The waters were calm, with only gentle waves lapping against the hull. It was a peaceful voyage—for now.

  Naotsugu leaned against the railing, watching the horizon. “Man, this is so nice. No city noise, no land-bound monsters trying to eat us. Just the sea.”

  “Don’t jinx it,” Minori warned, double-checking their gear. “The last thing we need is a storm or an unexpected enemy attack.”

  Akatsuki stood up near the mast, keeping a keen eye on the surroundings. “Something feels… off,” she murmured.

  Shiroe frowned. “Explain.”

  She shook her head. “It’s just a feeling.”

  Suddenly, the ship’s lookout shouted from above. “Unidentified movement in the water! Port side!”

  Everyone rushed to the edge, peering into the depths. Dark shapes moved beneath the waves, circling the ship.

  “Monsters already?” Tohya said, gripping his sword hilt. “That was fast.”

  Shiroe narrowed his eyes and pushed up his spectacles. “Everyone, get ready. This might be rough.”

  As the first creature broke the surface—a massive, eel-like beast with glowing yellow eyes and glistening silver skin—the peaceful voyage turned into a battle for survival.