Children

Everyone was enjoying their usual activities on the island and the streets were very busy.

The only strange part of everything was that the atmosphere was a little different from before.

The Marine presence on the island had not been as good as it had been several days before and the patrols done by them had been far less.

Even if the Marines did not have that big of an influence over the island and were just there to maintain order when problems were caused by pirates and criminals, they would usually have some of them patrolling the streets to increase their presence to make the residents of the island feel more safe.

Children in dirty and tattered clothing were walking around out in the open without being pushed back towards the slums by those that would be in charge of the publics security so many people couldn't help but complain and cover their noses once one came close to them.

The children were trying to look as cute and pitiful as possible when their hands were held out asking for food or some spare change.

It was a familiar scene that had appeared many times so many overlooked it and expected the security to handle it.

Time passed but the children were still left to go around as they pleased.

It was the third day of the Meridian families heir test and each of the heirs were busy doing their own things.

Pixel was busy serving up some food and accepted the five hundred berry payment.

Her eyes drifted over towards a small child that was dressed in rags that were hanging loosely on their thin body.

The child had walked slowly towards her stall with small steps but there was a hint of hesitation and fear that was contained within their gaze.

There was a slight burning smell that was picked up by Pixel and the sound of something being burned was picked up by her too.

It did not come from the food stalls and did not smell like metals or food that were being heated or burned but it had a different smell.

Her senses became sharp as a bad feeling of dread had suddenly hit her.

Her Observation Haki was sent out to her surroundings and then once it came to touch the child, Pixel's eyes had widened. "Get down! Get away quickly-chu!"

Her voice contained how urgent and panicked she was in that moment which had startled everyone nearby.

The main problem was that there was little time left and that the people who had heard her had not responded in time.

There were some people that had responded but were too clumsy in their movements as they rushed away and hit into others.

Those people may have experienced sudden events before and it could have been due to the pirates or others causing problems on the island.

Usually when someone caused a scene, there was someone dangerous around that could possibly do harm to anyone in their surroundings.

The Marines would be the ones to protect them so they usually felt safe but the strange thing was that there were no Marines around.

Pixel jumped over the stall window quickly and her body turned into a slight afterimage. 'Come on quick attack.. make it in time.'

She covered a small distance in a very short time then grabbed onto the child.

The surroundings had become slightly quiet as others were stunned by her fast speed but they had no time to stand in awe due to a large noise suddenly spreading out from different locations.

One came from far away and more came from closer locations that were scattered around the docks and the surrounding market place.

The clothes were ripped and there was a very small piece of a fuse that burning down.

It was so close to being completely burnt up and once it had, the flame would have reached the cylinder shapes that were strapped to the chest of the child.

The claw of Pixel had extended and was sent towards the strap that was tied around the child in an instant before it was pulled from their body.

A single second seemed to last an eternity as it was in her hands before it was thrown up into the sky.

"Aaah"

"Iyaa!"

"Bomb!"

"Get down!"

Bang!

They may have been gunpowder explosives that were prepared for a child to carry on their bodies but the explosion that took place in the sky could have killed many nearby.

Even a strong bodied Mink would be gravely injured if they were close enough to the blast sight.

If Pixel had not stopped it then those that had been accompanying her would have been injured and may have even died.

They did not have a strong body from her Iron Tail and other body part training along with her Armament Haki to protect them but Pixel did which was why she had chosen to get close to the child.

Her lack of hesitation in the situation had prevented a great tragedy but that was just a very small part of what was happening around the island.

A large sense of urgency had hit Pixel all of a sudden when more explosive noises came from other directions. 'If this was randomly placed then it could just be a coincidence that I was caught up in this but.. why do I feel that this is not the case. Do not tell me that this was a targeted attack?!'

She turned back towards those that were still inside of the stall with a stunned look on their faces. "We are closing up! Emergency situation! Hurry and pack up then move with me-chu!"

The child that was still kneeling on the ground was shaking in fear but Pixel had grabbed onto their arm to pull them up.

They could hear a gentle voice that seemed to be restraining hints of displeasure and anger. "I have no time to play around here."

A light kiss touched their forehead suddenly without a hint of warning which caused him to enter a slightly confused state which had stopped them from shaking in terror.

It did not end there when a charming voice and aura had taken hold of him. "Sweet child. Tell me everything you know about these explosions-chu~."