Chapter: XIX

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Narrator: Shiraga remains determined on his adventure, striving for immortality and unmatched strength. Though his goals seem far, he presses forward, facing challenges, gaining knowledge, and growing stronger.

The path is long, but he stays committed, knowing the journey itself was valuable. With patience and unwavering belief, he pursues his destiny of becoming immortal and the strongest.

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Authors note: Leave a Review, trying to make it to the front page...

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" Leave the island, while you have the chance... " The figure in front of the group of 6 said.

As I stood before the cloaked figures, my demeanour remained nonchalant, but my expression was cold. The warning they gave did not faze me in the slightest. I simply didn't have the capacity to fear.

"What if I don't?" I replied, my voice steady.

"I have my reasons for being here," I asserted firmly, my words leaving no room for negotiation.

" Kid, we're asking this for your safety," The man said.

I took a moment to assess the situation and the demeanour of the cloaked figures before responding. Their words didn't seem to carry any malicious intent, but I couldn't fully trust their motives.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to decline," I replied calmly, my cold expression remaining unchanged. "I'm on a mission, you see..."

Another one of the cloaked figures chimed in. "Are you a marine?"

"No, I'm a bounty hunter," I responded, my voice steady and composed. My hand remained firmly on my sword, ready for any potential threat.

The hooded man spoke, "I see, you're after Vermillion's bounty."

I didn't confirm or deny his assumption, maintaining my characteristic nonchalant demeanour. My objective was clear, and I had no intention of revealing more than necessary to strangers on this island.

"I THINK THE BOAT CAME FROM OVER HERE," the shout echoed across the area, catching the attention of not only the cloaked figures but also mine.

The hooded man and his companions exchanged glances,

"We need to leave, Captain!" Figure A called out from behind.

However, the man in front, whom I assumed was their leader, had a different perspective. "We can't keep running! We have to fight back," he declared, reaching for a large great-sword at his back.

. . . .

" They have the prince! We can't keep this up for long; it's only a matter of time before they find us." he exclaimed to the figures behind him, his voice tinged with concern and urgency. The captain removed his hoodie, revealing his face for the first time. His features were now visible but still hard to see.

He had a thick bushy beard, long messy brown hair, reaching down to his shoulders gave him a rugged and battle-hardened appearance. And a red bandana wrapped around his forehead, with thick hair tendrils leaning over it.

His bushy eyebrows and fearless gaze conveyed that he was a man who had faced countless challenges and wasn't one to back down easily.

As they continued to argue, their voices rising in heated debate, Figure B finally spoke up. Voicing his opinion, "Captain's right, we should fight back. We can't simply stand here and let them overrun us."

The others glanced at Figure B, some with agreement, others with doubt. The situation was dire.

A sudden voice rang out from across the beach, catching them all off guard. "Hi, there,"

All the figures turned their heads to see where the voice was coming from. Though I couldn't see their faces, it was obvious that they were worried.

"Shit, well too late," Figure C muttered under their breath

My attention was drawn to the other end of the beach, where a new group emerged.

Leading them was a skinny, tall man with long black hair that obscured most of his face. His unkempt appearance gave him an air of unpredictability. He wore a torn, long-sleeved shirt paired with tight pants and sturdy boots.

Surrounding the skinny man were 20 ragged and dirty pirates, each with yellow grins on their faces. Some even had torches and weapons tightly gripped in their hands.

The skinny man, with a twisted grin, he said, his words with a tone of satisfaction, "Oman, I told you I would find you."

Oman's once stoic face suddenly tensed up in anger. "And I told you the next time I saw you, I would end this once and for all." He wasted no time in charging at the tall, lanky man. The figures behind him followed suit, charging forward as well.

The lanky man's twisted grin returned, and he spoke with malevolent glee, "Mmmmm, kill him for me, will you boys?" His command was met with an enthusiastic response from his lackeys. They came charging from behind him, weapons held high.

Oman's sword sparkled in the dim moonlight as he swung it with deadly precision. In one swift motion, he brought down his sword in a diagonal slash, cutting through the pirate in front of him, slicing the man in half. Blood sprayed, and the two halves fell to the ground.

Without hesitation, Oman spun around, his massive sword becoming a deadly whirlwind. In a whirl of steel, he cut through the three pirates charging at him, each one meeting the same gruesome fate as their friend.

As Oman was cleaving his way through to get to the other side, Figure C came in front of him and started to defend him. "Oman, go! We'll handle them!" Figure C said as he pulled out daggers from beneath his cloak and began hacking and slashing, making a path for Oman as he charged towards the lanky man.

With Figure C fending off the remaining pirates, Oman broke free from the chaotic battle, his sights fixed on the tall, lanky man who stood there, smirking confidently.

"Don't you remember what happened last time!" the skinny man taunted as he charged at Oman. Blades dropped from his sleeves, revealing deadly assassin blades. The sinister gleam in his eyes matched the malevolence of his weapons.

Oman braced himself, meeting the skinny man's attack head-on. He raised his great sword, the clash of their blades sending sparks flying like stars in the night sky.

Ping* Ping*

The clash of their blades echoed in the night as Oman swung and swung at the lanky man, who effortlessly dodged and parried each attack. As the fight continued, Oman could feel the sweat running down his cheek, his breathing growing heavier with each passing moment.

"Are you going to keep dodging?" Oman questioned, frustration seeping into his voice.

The lanky man chuckled, a cruel glint in his eyes. "I just thought this way the battle can last longer," he taunted.

Oman swung his sword once more, this time with even more force behind it. The blade came down vertically, aiming to slice the lanky man in half. But the skinny man was as agile as a cat, and he jumped high in the air, evading the attack.

The lanky man landed back on Oman's blade, using it as a makeshift platform. He ran along the length of the sword, aiming to deliver a deadly blow to Oman's head.

But Oman was quick to react. He ducked his head to the side, narrowly avoiding the assassin's blades that whizzed past him. The force of the attack sent a gust of wind, ruffling Oman's hair.

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Dropping his blade, Oman grabbed onto the lanky man's leg and effortlessly lifted him off the ground. With a burst of raw strength, he slammed him into the hard sand.

"AHHHHHHHHH!!!" The lanky man's agonized screams filled the air as Oman spun him around and mercilessly drove his head into the ground, over and over again.

But just as Oman was about to deliver another blow, he felt an excruciating pain rip through his chest. A pirate, taking advantage of the moment, had sneaked up behind him and stabbed him in the chest.

"Gah!" Oman grunted, staggering forward from the unexpected attack. Blood trickled from the wound, but he gritted his teeth.

"Sneaky bastards!" Oman's frustration and anger surged as he swung his arm around at the pirate, delivering a powerful blow that knocked the pirate out cold.

As Oman managed to gather his strength, he wobbled but remained standing. He walked over to his sword and picked it up, clutching the hilt tightly. He turned back to the lanky man, who was now standing, blood dripping from his head.

"My turn..." the lanky man said, his voice laced with rage.

The lanky man charged at Oman, he swung his arm, it was like a blur to Oman. His blade dug into Oman's side. Moving from his side, he cut him across his chest.

"Ghh. " Oman cried out in pain.

Oman, with the little strength he had left, he swung his sword at the Lanky man's side. But he only ducked, as he was duck, he swooped to the side cutting Oman across the left thigh.

The pain was excruciating, but Oman refused to give in. His vision blurred, and his breathing became heavy.

Oman groaned again, his grip tightening on the hilt of his blade as he swung it at the lanky man again. Jumping up into the air with a swift move, the lanky man evaded the attack. In a split second, with lightning-fast attacks, plunging his blade into both of Oman's shoulders and then swiftly bringing it down, cutting his clavicle in half.

"GAAHHHHHHHHHH!!!" Oman's painful cry echoed across the beach as he writhed on the ground.

"I told you not to oppose my captain or this would happen," the lanky man warned, raising his arm high in the air, preparing to deliver a deadly blow to Oman's neck.

As the lanky man's arm swung down, a hand reached out and swiftly grasped his wrist, stopping his strike in its tracks.

"I just got here, and I'm already caught up in trouble.... " A voice said.

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To Be Continued...

-Rosefall Arc Continues-

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