Dodging Danger #38

"Let's go a bit faster... up the pace," I remarked, calmly swaying my shoulders left and right and dodging Chuchun's beak as the oversized bird rapidly pecked at my torso with incredible speed.

Chuchun merely cried out as if to agree as he increased his speed, his beak turning into a blur. In response, I frowned in concentration as I resumed dodging, only for my expression and posture to gradually relax.

"Now... give it everything you've got..." I said as he stopped moving, and Chuchun let out a hesitant cry but still cocked his head back and pecked at my shoulder with all his strength.

I maintained my calm and relaxed posture, refusing to move even as the giant bird's beak hit my shoulder. However, instead of flying back, my body moved with Chuchun's beak, swaying backward as the attack landed.

It was almost a success, but I lost focus at the last second and lost control over my muscles, causing a narrow bloody gash to appear over my shoulder, causing me to sigh.

Chuchun cried out in concern and rushed to my side to check on the small wound, and I merely smiled in response. "It's just a flesh wound... I'll be fine..." I said as I patted the oversized bird's head.

Typically, individuals practicing the six powers, especially the Kami-e technique, wouldn't progress this fast. However, I had a special weapon called the Hercules Method, which made the training way simpler than it was supposed to be.

The Method relied on visualizing the human body. It gave its practitioner X-ray-like vision, which allowed me to observe my muscles and apply the principles of the Kami-e technique more easily.

I still wouldn't call myself a master of Kame-e. It wouldn't happen until I learned to maintain intense focus and complete control over my muscles during battle, but it's only a matter of time.

"Still... it looks like I'll need more practice to pull it off in a real battle..." I said with an unconcerned shrug. "Oh well... I've got nothing but time on my hands, I suppose..." I added as I removed my hand from Chuchun's head and turned to the sea.

"Now, how about you get something to eat, big guy..." I said with a grin as I picked up my spear, and the oversized bird could only call out in excitement as he followed me into the water.

Unfortunately for Chuchun, we barely took three steps into the water when I heard the sound of footsteps behind us. I turned around to investigate and couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Gem standing at the beach with his nose in a cast and hands in his pocket as he looked at me.

"Why are you laughing?" Gem said, his left eyebrow twitching in clear annoyance. "You're the one who did this, you know," he added, taking one hand out of his pocket to point at his nose.

"It's not my fault you didn't listen," I said, unable to hold my laughter as I looked at the man. "I told you to stop throwing your boogers at me, didn't I?" I cleared my throat and stopped laughing after a few more chuckles.

"Are you done?" Gem asked after a slight pause, and my only reply was to shrug. However, I was still all smiles. "I've already caught Roshio and put him somewhere safe," he calmly added, adopting a business-like tone.

"Oh, that's good to hear," I replied as I nodded in satisfaction at Gem's words. "So, where's my money?" I asked as I looked at Gem's hands and found them empty.

"I've extracted the information I needed from Roshio, but I've yet to call the people who hired me," Gem calmly explained. "I assumed you'd want to be there, considering you now have a stake in the deal." He added, trailing off as he waited for a reply.

"Well, it's not like I have anything better to do," I said, and Chuchun immediately took offense at my statement as he pecked my head with extreme prejudice.

"Sorry, big guy, you'll have to get your own breakfast."

...

Inside an empty warehouse:

"So all these containers are packed full of weapons," I said, raising an eyebrow as I approached a sealed wooden box and kicked it open, watching with wide eyes as dozens of flintlock pistols and rifles poured out.

"Every last one of them," Gem replied with a shrug. "To get a windfall like this, that Roshio fella is quite the lucky pirate," he mockingly added with a chuckle, prompting me to roll my eyes.

"You know what they say about pies in the sky," I said, shrugging as I sat on the nearest box. "So, where is your guy?" I asked as I looked around and found no traces of anyone.

"He should be here any--" Gem remarked, pausing halfway through his sentence as footsteps echoed in the warehouse, prompting us both to turn to the entrance.

"It seems that I have kept you waiting," said a man with curly brown hair reaching to the tip of his shoulder as he stood at the entrance. "Please pardon my tardiness," he added, tipping his black boiler hat in our direction as he resumed walking.

"Not at all, we arrived early," Gem calmly said as he put his hands into his pockets. "This here is my associate," he added, only finishing half his sentence as the man suddenly interrupted him.

"Cedric Strode," the brown-haired man said as he smiled and turned to me, much to Gem's surprise. "I understand that you have been a victim of Marine corruption," he added, his tone neutral.

"I don't understand how that's any business of yours, friend," I replied, crossing my arms as I glared at the man. "No one likes a busybody, especially me," I added with a scowl.

"Do pardon me, I meant nothing by it," the man said, giving me a polite, apologetic smile. "It's just that our organization exists to ensure such injustices don't occur," he calmly explained.

"I simply couldn't walk away from here with a good conscience if I didn't offer you to join a group of individuals who share the same unfortunate circumstances," the brown-haired man concluded.

"I'll have to decline, but thank you for the offer..." I replied, firmly shaking my head at the man's words. "Now... can we get back to business...?" I asked as I lowered my hands and stepped back to let Gem do the rest of the talking.

Being a revolutionary was a thankless job, and I wanted no part in it. As far as I was concerned, joining the Revolutionary Army was pretty much like joining the Marines, but worse.

Not only did they lack the resources and influence the world government and the Marines had, but they were also criminals in the eyes of almost everyone, despite their good intentions.

"I see... that is rather unfortunate, but I wish you well all the same..." The man said, still smiling as he turned to Gem. "Now then... I believe everything is here...?" He asked as he looked around at the dozens of boxes littering the warehouse.

"Minus twenty-three guns and two boxes of ammo Roshio sold before we got to him..." Gem replied as he retrieved a piece of paper from his pocket, which I assumed was an inventory of the warehouse, and gave it to the man.

"That won't be a problem..." The man said as he pocketed the paper after taking a quick glance at it. "The pirate's actions were out of your control after all..." He added as he turned back to Gem and nodded.

"Then all is well..." Gem replied as he returned the nod. "Still... how do you plan to move everything out of here... you didn't come alone, did you?" He asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Naturally, I didn't come here alone... but I'd ask that you don't interfere in what doesn't concern you..." The man said, prompting me to scoff. "And speaking of which... two of my colleagues are waiting outside with your compensation..." He added as he cleared his throat.

"Please feel free to leave whenever you wish..." The man concluded as he gestured toward the exit, blatantly asking us to leave despite his polite words and smile.

Gem and I looked at each other and merely shrugged before heading to the exit. "That guy gives me the creeps... he's too polite...." I said without bothering to lower my voice as I walked beside the explosive human.

"Who cares? His money is as good as anyone's..."

...

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