Chapter 05: Tenainea Island

Chapter 05: Tenainea Island.

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In the vast expanse of the New World, where the sea shimmered like molten silver under the midday sun, the ship of the mighty Yonko Whitebeard sailed with a tranquil majesty. Its towering masts bore the iconic symbol of the Whitebeard Pirates, and the creak of its wooden hull blended with the rhythmic crash of waves against its side. Gulls circled above, their cries carried on the salty breeze.

Marco the Phoenix, first division commander, sat perched on the edge of the ship's railing. His blond hair swayed gently, tousled by the playful fingers of the wind. His azure eyes, sharp and contemplative, scanned the horizon with an intensity that betrayed his calm exterior. Behind him, the boisterous laughter of the crew echoed across the deck. Pirates exchanged tall tales and hearty jests as the sun's golden rays bathed their rugged faces.

From his position on the elevated deck, Whitebeard, the captain himself, watched over his family. The colossal man sat with his iconic bisento resting beside him, his imposing frame partially draped in a white cloak. Tubes of medicine extended from his chest to the equipment nearby, a stark reminder of his age and the toll the seas had taken on his legendary body. Yet, his aura remained unshaken—calm, commanding, and as vast as the ocean itself. His deep, resonant voice broke the air.

"Marco," he called, his tone even but inquisitive, "why does your gaze linger in that direction? Isn't that where Tenainea Island lies?"

Marco hesitated, his fingers drumming against his knee. "I can't help but worry about Meliodas. Why didn't you order him to wait until I returned from my mission before letting him set sail?"

Whitebeard leaned back, his large hand stroking his mustache thoughtfully. "There's no need for such concern, yoi. He's with Teach."

At the mention of Teach, Marco's expression tightened. His jaw clenched as a flicker of unease crossed his face. "Teach? That's exactly why I'm worried…" he muttered under his breath.

Whitebeard closed his eyes and raised his gaze to the heavens, the sunlight reflecting off his weathered features. "Teach is your brother, just as Meliodas is. True, he keeps to himself and doesn't say much, but he is still my son."

Marco exhaled slowly, his eyes returning to the rolling waves below. The ship sliced through the ocean with ease, sending droplets of seawater misting into the air. "If that's your decision, then I suppose I have no right to doubt it…"

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Tenainea Island.

The dense jungle of Tenainea buzzed with life. Towering trees with sprawling roots formed a natural canopy, their emerald leaves shimmering as they caught slivers of sunlight. Birds of every color flitted through the air, their songs weaving a symphony that contrasted starkly with the chaos below.

Teach, drenched in sweat, dashed through the undergrowth with heavy, labored breaths. "Damn it! How are we supposed to deal with this wild tiger?!" he bellowed, his voice a mixture of fear and frustration.

Beside him, Meliodas sprinted effortlessly, his face lit with a mischievous smile. Unlike Teach, he showed no sign of exhaustion, his youthful energy almost palpable. "Well, it's your fault," he teased, glancing at Teach. "You ruined its hunt when it was going after that deer."

Teach huffed indignantly, his black beard glistening with perspiration. "I was starving, alright?! I wanted that deer too!"

Meliodas laughed, the sound light and unbothered. "Now it sees you as a rival for food. That's why it's coming after you. But why am I stuck with you? I didn't do anything!"

Behind them, the ground shook with the thundering steps of a massive white tiger. Its striped coat glistened, and its icy blue eyes burned with predatory focus. Drool dripped from its fangs as it snarled, its growls reverberating through the forest. The beast leapt over fallen logs with ease, its muscular frame a terrifying sight. Birds scattered from the trees with every ear-splitting roar.

"Why don't you use your stupid ability on it already?!" Teach shouted, casting a desperate glance at Meliodas.

Meliodas chuckled, leaping effortlessly over a protruding root. "That's not how it works. I can't reflect physical attacks unless there's some kind of energy behind them. This tiger isn't using Haki—it just wants to fight you."

Teach's expression twisted in both fear and fury. "Then why are you running too?!"

"I told you, I'm just here for the show," Meliodas quipped. "I could keep running like this all day."

Teach growled, his teeth grinding in frustration. "You just want to see me use it, don't you, you little brat?!"

Suddenly, the air around Teach shifted. A dark aura enveloped his right arm, the manifestation of Armament Haki. Meliodas's emerald eyes widened slightly as he observed the transformation. "I can see it… I can feel it," he murmured to himself. "This… this is what Haki feels like…"

In a decisive move, Teach whirled around, his Haki-infused fist colliding with the tiger's jaw in a deafening impact. The force sent the beast skidding across the jungle floor, its saliva spraying into the air. The tiger let out a pained growl before collapsing into a heap, its once-ferocious gaze now wary. Yet even as it rose shakily to its feet, it didn't charge again. Instead, it turned and disappeared into the trees, its massive form blending back into the wilderness.

Meliodas whistled, his eyes gleaming with admiration. "Wow, Teach. I didn't know you had it in you. I always thought you were too lazy to learn Haki."

Teach wiped his brow, a crooked grin spreading across his face. "Zeahaha! You underestimate me too much, kid."

Before Meliodas could reply, a deep, thunderous laugh filled the air. It wasn't the jovial laughter of pirates but something far more menacing. The sound echoed through the jungle, shaking leaves from the treetops and silencing the wildlife.

"WIHAHAHAHAHA!"

Both Teach and Meliodas froze. The laugh carried with it an oppressive presence, a weight that made the air around them feel heavier. Slowly, they turned to the source. Emerging from the shadows was a towering figure—a giant with fiery red hair cropped short, clad in a mix of battered armor and coarse fabric. Massive steel cuffs adorned his wrists, their weight adding to his imposing image. He clapped his massive hands, each strike producing a deafening boom, as he grinned down at them with glowing crimson eyes.

The giant's voice was like rolling thunder. "You," he said, his gaze locking onto Teach. "I like you, man! Taking down that tiger in one punch? Finally, someone worth my time."

Meliodas's jaw slackened as he whispered in awe, "A giant…? There are giants in this world?"

Teach cursed under his breath. "Damn it... out of all the dangers we could face, out comes a giant? Even the boy froze in fear. I cannot blame him. This was his first meeting with one of the giants. Should I run away and leave him behind? As if Edward would let me go back without him. What a headache...

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Far across the ocean, back on Whitebeard's ship, Marco still sat on the railing, his blond hair whipping in the wind. He sighed, his voice low. "That book of mysteries, treasures, and legends… I gave it to Meliodas as a gift. I didn't think he'd take it so seriously and head off without telling me. But this is all Oyaji's fault—he spoils him too much."

His gaze darkened. "And the information in that book… It wasn't complete. Some say there's a giant on that island who crushes anyone searching for its treasure. Meliodas… you'd better still be alive, you idiot."

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