Though he first mistakes the pirates on Rich Island for a bunch of cosplayers, Goro Majima quickly becomes entangled in the pirate life himself. The conceit is at the very foundation ofLike a Dragon: Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii's story, buttressing its gameplay in a way that consistently centers on what it means to be a pirate. Freedom on the open seas, searching for treasure, and engaging in cannon fights are just some aspects of the role, but what is most accentuated is community; no pirate can steer a ship without his crew, and as Majima quickly gains members who support his cause in Pirate Yakuza in Hawaii, the stark contrast between his role and Kiryu's in LAD Gaiden becomes clear.