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A few minutes later, the rapids were behind the boat, and the crew could finally relax on the piloting and exit the cabin.
"We didn't see anything, but judging by the screams, it didn't go well for the pirates!" laughed the captain.
"Yeah, we completely wrecked their shit!" laughed Pinstripe.
"In a few minutes, we'll reach a cove we'll use for a stop for lunch. You'll regale us of the account of the battle."
"With pleasure."

Indeed, a few minutes later, the ship stopped at a little cove.
While some crewmen began preparing a barbecue (and Dingodile went and take notes), the others and the uplifted-that-passed-as-humans-thanks-to-illusions installed folding tables and set the table.
Except for three "mercenaries", too upset to bother lending a hand and instead were sulking in a corner of the cove.

"IT SUCKS!!" yelled Moe. "The bandits didn't even get on the boat! We've been completely useless!"
"And me? I was just as useless, I even got hurt, I was the only one!" grumbled Kong.
"We've got to figure something out!" snarled Joe. "Out of question to be useless if we get attacked again!"
"You can throw your swords, you know," muttered the koala.
"You weren't listening or what?! They'd be lost in the river!" spat the fat Komodo.
"Tie them to ropes and pull them back, like in these video games."
"...Holy shit, a good idea from you?! You're sure you don't have a fever?" snarked the thin Komodo.
"Bite me!"
The call for lunch put an end to the argument.

The lunch was really good, and gave a good mood to everyone, which made the story the Commandos gave of their battle lively and epic.
After that, everyone did a nap, except the Komodo Bros, who volunteered for watch duty, and tried out Kong's idea.
It actually worked pretty well.
To the point it gave Joe an idea.
"Hey... And if we tried doing exactly like in these games? Wielding the swords tied to ropes for real weapons? We'd be so much more formidable!"
"...I'm not sure it's a good idea, it must be super hard," said Moe. "I'm not even attempting it."
Joe looked at his brother. Ever since the end of their servitude, which granted them true freedom of mind, and his sacrifice to save his brother's life, Moe had slowly but surely grown more independant, stopping being someone who just did everything Joe said to gain his affection. While he still loved his brother, he wasn't adverse to disagree or even criticize him anymore.
While Joe, who himself began genuinely being Moe's older brother after said sacrifice (instead of seeing him as nothing but a lackey), saw this as a good development like everyone, it still was a surprise for him to see Moe be against his opinion instead of blindly following like he did for so long.
"I'm gonna try anyway."
Moe didn't insist.
Still, Joe had the common sense of doing that attempt with a little piece of blunt metal tied to the rope instead of a sword.
And thank god, because the attempt was a complete and utter disaster.
Every time the piece of metal didn't get stuck in branches or rocks, Joe got it right in his face, eliciting a yelp of pain and a swear, before insisting again.
At the fourth "FUCK!!" yelled by his brother, Moe began failing to hide a smile.
When Joe got struck right in the eye, Moe bit his cheeks while the older Komodo swore up a storm.
And when he downright tied himself up, Moe couldn't take it anymore and began laughing himself sick.
His guffaws woke everyone up, who quickly joined him in laughter.
Of course, Joe was the only one who didn't find this even remotely funny, but tied and gagged like he was, all he could do was glare daggers at everyone.

Art by  caseyljones
Original here: https://www.furaffinity.net/view/41737044/
Komodo Joe and Komodo Moe © Naughty Dog