Chapter 25: The Shores of Jaya

Chapter 25: The Shores of Jaya

The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of salt and endless horizons. Seagulls circled overhead, their cries echoing over the still, blue waters of the Grand Line. The sun cast a golden sheen on the modest vessel drifting toward an unknown destination. Its single mast proudly displayed a flag bearing the emblem of a dragon, its edges fluttering in the gentle breeze. The ship was small, with a weathered deck but well-kept and sturdy—a testament to the craftsmanship of the villagers who had built it.

Inside a dimly lit cabin, Miliodas rifled through a desk drawer, his golden hair catching the soft light streaming through a porthole. His emerald eyes sparkled with focus. Behind him stood Elizabeth, her delicate features framed by her silver hair that cascaded over her shoulders like a waterfall.

"Have you found anything?" she asked, her voice soft yet curious.

With a triumphant smirk, Miliodas pulled out a compass and held it up. "I can't believe we almost set sail without a navigator's compass," he said. "The villagers really thought ahead. With this, we won't need to worry about losing our way."

Elizabeth stepped closer, her sky-blue dress swaying gently as the ship rocked. She examined the compass in his hand. "It's pointing to a fixed direction. It must mean we're nearing an island."

Miliodas nodded. "Exactly. Since it's steady, I'd say we're almost there." He placed the compass on the desk and unrolled a map, tracing a route with his finger. "If we left from the western coast of Lily Flower Island and followed this trajectory… the next island must be Jaya. Can't say I've heard much about it, though."

Elizabeth tilted her head apologetically. "I wish I could help more with navigation, but maps and charts are beyond me."

Miliodas grinned mischievously. "Well, if you're going to be on this crew, you'll need to find your role. How about learning to navigate?"

Elizabeth chuckled nervously. "It doesn't sound easy. I'd need books and references."

Miliodas rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Let's see if Jaya has what we need—supplies, books, maybe some rumors worth following."

Before their conversation could continue, the ship jolted violently. Both of them staggered, Miliodas catching himself on the desk. Without a word, he sprinted up to the deck, his boots thudding against the wooden stairs.

Emerging into the sunlight, his gaze fell upon a massive pirate ship blocking their path. Its black sails loomed like a storm cloud, and its deck was bristling with rough-looking pirates, all grinning maliciously. Standing at the bow was their captain—a tall man with unruly black curls, a scruffy beard, and a crooked grin that revealed yellowed teeth. He held a jagged cutlass in one hand, spinning it lazily.

"What a quaint little ship," the captain sneered. His deep voice carried an air of arrogance. "Perfect for a romantic cruise with my ladies. I think I'll make it mine."

Miliodas's eyes narrowed as he noticed the shoreline of an island just beyond the large ship. "Looks like we're already in Jaya's waters," he muttered.

The pirate captain leapt onto Miliodas's ship with surprising agility, landing just a few feet away from him. His presence was commanding, but his scruffy appearance undermined his attempt at intimidation. "A kid?" he said mockingly, leaning in so close Miliodas could feel his breath. "Don't tell me a shrimp like you is the captain of this dinghy. What a joke. Although… something about your face feels familiar. Have we met?"

One by one, the pirate crew began boarding Miliodas's ship, but their captain snapped, "Keep your filthy boots off this deck! It's mine and mine alone!" The men froze in place, exchanging confused glances but obeying.

At that moment, Elizabeth stepped onto the deck, her serene presence stealing the attention of everyone present. The pirate captain's jaw dropped, his leering gaze fixating on her. "Is this… a doll?" he murmured, stepping toward her with unsettling fascination.

As he reached out to touch her hand, Miliodas moved faster than the eye could follow. The blade of his sword, Lostvayne, gleamed in the sunlight as it sliced a shallow cut across the pirate's hand. A single drop of blood fell onto the deck, glinting like a ruby.

The pirates gasped in unison, and their captain staggered back, clutching his hand. "You little brat!" he bellowed.

Miliodas remained calm, inspecting the edge of his sword with a feigned casualness. "Oops," he said with a smirk. "Guess I acted on instinct."

The captain's eyes blazed with fury. "Do you have any idea who I am? I'm Don Yasmin, with a bounty of ten million berries! You think you can cross me and walk away alive?"

Miliodas tilted his head, his grin widening. "Don Yasmin? That's a lovely name. For a girl."

Don Yasmin's face turned purple with rage. His fist began to glow with an ethereal blue light, the air around it shimmering like heat waves. "You've got jokes, huh?" he growled. "Let's see if you're still laughing after this!"

With a deafening roar, he punched downward—not at Miliodas, but at the air. A shockwave of compressed energy surged toward Miliodas, striking him squarely on the head. The force sent him crashing through the deck, splintering wood and leaving a gaping hole.

The pirates erupted into laughter, their voices echoing across the water. "One punch! That's all it takes for the captain!"

Elizabeth's face paled as she stared at the hole, her hands trembling. Before she could approach, a blur of motion emerged from below.

Miliodas leapt into the air, his golden hair glowing in the sunlight. His green eyes burned with determination as he landed lightly on the deck, dusting himself off. "You've got quite the punch," he said, his tone calm but his smile sharp. "But if you're so eager to play, let's take this to your ship."

Before Don Yasmin could respond, Miliodas lunged. His kick connected with the pirate's torso, shattering the protective aura around him. The impact sent Yasmin hurtling back onto his own ship, which groaned under the force of his landing.

The pirates stared in stunned silence as their captain lay sprawled on the deck, his ship's mast quivering from the shock. Miliodas stood at the edge of his own ship, his blade resting casually on his shoulder. "Shall we continue?" he asked, his grin never wavering.

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[ A/N ]

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