thefictionvixens 14: Treasure Island and the Beard
14: Treasure Island and the Beard
In the late summer of 1469 in the Sea Calendar, the sea breeze, carrying a saltier scent than at the beginning of the month, swept across the deck of the Golden Dawn.
The sun totem painted in pure gold on the mainsail gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting a scattering of golden rays onto the sea.
Oro leaned against the Tarol statue at the bow of the ship, holding a permanent pointer in his hand. The pointer's arrow steadily pointed to an island whose outline was gradually becoming clearer ahead.
"This should be it."
Oro put away the pointer, and the golden bracer on his arm liquefied and unfolded, transforming into a golden telescope half the height of a person.
Looking at the island, one can see that the entire island is grayish-brown, with weeds growing all over the ground and not a single tree.
"It is indeed as the old man said, a desolate wasteland."
"Does that mean we can dig out shiny stones?"
Lingling approached carrying a giant axe, the blade still damp with water stains left from chopping sea monsters during her morning exercise.
She leaned closer to Oro, trying to look through the telescope, but Oro laughed and pressed her head down.
"It's not just shiny stones; there might be metals that can make the Golden Dawn stronger, and if you're lucky, we might even forge you a more handy axe."
"Really?!"
Lingling's eyes lit up instantly. Just as she was about to say something, she was stopped by a hot piece of roasted meat handed to her from behind.
"Have something to eat first; the mushroom soup will have to wait a while."
Gails was wearing a light brown apron and holding a wooden tray with cut fruit in her other hand.
"Orogo, I just checked the cabin, and the spare digging tools are all there. We can use them after we land on the island."
Oro took a piece of fruit, about to say that he didn't need tools to dig, when his gaze suddenly fixed on the telescope's field of view—
A ship slowly emerged from the sea to the left of the island.
The ship looked exceptionally dilapidated, with a single mast askew, sails covered in patches, and even several rusted holes visible on the hull, a stark contrast to the splendor of the Golden Dawn.
"There's a boat." Oro put down his binoculars, his voice now tinged with wariness.
He snapped his fingers, and dozens of slender golden ropes immediately rose up around the deck, spreading out like a spider web.
"The boat is moving very fast; it's coming towards us."
Gails immediately put away the wooden tray: "I'll go get the medical kit and weapons!"
Lingling tightened her grip on the giant axe, and a faint black tinge gradually appeared on the blade.
Soon, the distance between the two sides was less than 100 meters.
Standing at the bow of the other ship was an exceptionally tall and robust young man, estimated to be over five meters tall, with dazzling blond hair that shone brightly in the sunlight, and a small white mustache that made him look somewhat mature.
The young man, dressed in a simple white vest that revealed his muscular arms, held a huge anchor in his hand and stared intently at the Golden Dawn with sharp eyes.
"So luxurious? Hmph, it must be either the World Government or a Celestial Dragon!"
The young man's voice came from across the sea, slightly hoarse, yet exceptionally penetrating.
"Leave the supplies on the ship, and we'll spare your lives!"
No sooner had he finished speaking than the young man hurled the anchor!
The anchor, accompanied by a whistling sound, crashed straight into the mainmast of the Golden Dawn!
"Don't even think about it!"
Lingling stepped onto the deck and sprang up from the ground, swinging her giant axe down at the anchor!
"clang!"
The collision of metal caused ripples on the sea, the anchor was knocked away by the giant axe, and Lingling was also shaken back onto the ship, her arm numb.
The blond youth opposite him was also taken aback for a moment, his eyes lighting up with excitement for the battle.
He leaped high to catch the anchor, then flexed his wrists and looked at Lingling: "Little rascal, you're quite strong."
"You're the brat!"
Lingling, unconvinced, raised the giant axe again.
"You dare steal our ship? I'll show you the power of a hegemon!"
"Oh? A hegemonic nation?"
The young man raised an eyebrow, exerted force with both legs, and charged towards the Golden Dawn, his fist slamming into Lingling with a whooshing sound!
Lingling didn't dodge either, and threw a punch to meet it!
Although her fist was smaller than the young man's, it contained a force that was no less than his!
"Bang!"
The two fists collided, and a shockwave spread outwards from the two men, causing the ropes on the deck to flutter loudly.
After exchanging a punch, Lingling couldn't help but take two steps back, her shoes leaving two shallow marks on the deck.
The other party only took a small half-step back!
But the young man was even more surprised than Lingling. He first looked down at his fist, then looked at Lingling:
"Interesting kid, he actually has that much strength."
The young man swung his arm and threw another punch.
If the two sides are evenly matched or Oro has the upper hand, he will not interfere in Lingling's battle. Lingling is very talented, but she also needs to grow.
But if Lingling suffers a loss, that's a different story. Auro's figure flashed.
A large amount of gold poured out from below the deck, instantly condensing into a set of golden battle armor covering his entire body. The surface of his gauntlets was wrapped with a rich black Armament Haki, as if it were inlaid with a layer of obsidian.
"Lingling, you should rest for a bit."
Lingling obediently jumped back, while Auro met the young man's fist.
"Bang!"
Another exchange of punches!
This time, the youth were driven back.
"Oh? A Devil Fruit user?"
A hint of surprise flashed in the other person's eyes, and he threw another punch, this time faster and with more power.
"Armament Haki is also good."
Auro neither dodged nor evaded, but instead conjured a golden round shield in his left hand and a spiraling golden longsword in his right, with Armament Haki swirling around it.
"clang!"
The round shield blocked the opponent's fist, and Oro decisively swung his sword to slash at the youth's side!
The young man reacted extremely quickly, dodging to the side while simultaneously delivering a powerful elbow strike to the round shield with his Armament Haki-infused elbow!
"Thump!"
The golden round shield shattered instantly, but the young man realized something was wrong; the shield hadn't been this fragile before.
Sure enough, the golden longsword suddenly thrust out from an angle from which he could not dodge!
The young man let out a loud snort, and an astonishing aura erupted from his body!
It's Conqueror's Haki!
The ropes on the deck trembled slightly, and even the medical kit that Gails had just taken out almost fell to the ground.
Oro also stopped holding back and unleashed his Conqueror's Haki!
The two overwhelming colors collided in the air, forming an invisible wave of air that even caused the sea surface to sink slightly.
The two crew members on the dilapidated single-masted ship in the distance were so shocked that they collapsed to the ground, their faces deathly pale.
"Conqueror's Haki?!"
The young man was genuinely surprised. He looked Oro up and down and deliberately suppressed his domineering aura.
"Who exactly are you people?"
Oro, gripping his golden longsword, slightly softened his aura: "You attacked first! Who are you?"
Actually, the moment he saw the other person through the binoculars, he felt that they looked familiar.
His flowing blond hair and the budding white beard inevitably sparked speculation, but the man was so young that Oro couldn't be sure.
The young man paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, his hearty laughter carrying a sense of untamed pride.
"That's right! My name is Edward Newgate. And you? Aren't you from the World Government?"
"Orikum Oro, we are not affiliated with the World Government, and in fact, we are at odds with them."
Upon hearing this, Newgate's expression turned serious: "I'm sorry, I admitted my mistake."
"I've been chasing a group of pirates, and our supplies have long since run out. Seeing how luxurious your ship is, I thought it belonged to the World Government."
He pointed to the dilapidated stern ship in the distance: "That's my ship. There are only two crew members left, and now we're almost out of fresh water."
Auro nodded, removing the gold from his body, but not his domineering aura.
"It's easy to make amends. Fight me. You haven't achieved anything yet, so I won't bother. Let's have a fair fight."
A glint flashed in Newgate's eyes, and he couldn't help but burst into laughter. This kid was just his type.
"Gurararara! Good!"
"A real man has to fight! That's what makes a true friend!"