One Piece: The sky is azure, I just time-traveled today.

Page 13

Bucky clutched his meager "treasure," muttering curses under his breath—it was unclear whether he was cursing Roger or this damned fate—but his steps didn't falter. He chose a direction and quickly disappeared around the bend in the mountain road.

Shanks pulled his oversized straw hat down, the brim obscuring his expression. He glanced one last time at the familiar Oro Jackson, at Roger and Rayleigh standing calmly below, then abruptly turned and strode away. His silhouette stretched long in the setting sun, carrying the stubborn resolve unique to youth.

No one looked back.

Even with a thousand regrets and a thousand questions, no one turned back.

The crew members of One Piece have their own pride.

Liu Jiu didn't have much luggage to pack.

He stood at the edge of the crowd, watching those familiar figures gradually disappear into the distance.

Roger and Ridley finally boarded the Oro Jackson, the sails were raised, and the ship slowly sailed away from the harbor, heading towards an unknown route that would never cross their path again.

Liu Jiu didn't move until the ship's shadow completely disappeared below the horizon.

He turned and walked deeper into the island.

We found a flat spot near a freshwater stream.

They built a simple shed using readily available wood and vines on the island.

It can shield you from the wind and barely keep you out of the rain.

He settled down.

Life became very simple. Fishing, gathering wild fruits, washing them by the stream. Occasionally, they would encounter other former crew members on the island who had also chosen to stay temporarily. They would nod to each other as a greeting, but not say much.

Every day he would go to the highest cliff, sit there, and look at the sea.

There are many ships coming and going on the sea, including merchant ships, fishing boats, and even other pirate ships.

However, the ship's prow was shaped like a pair of mermaids surrounding a forward-mounted cannon, and there was a huge polka-dot egg-shaped object in the middle of the hull, along with the Roger Pirates' skull and crossbones flag.

Never appeared again.

It really won't be coming back.

Liu Jiu sat on the edge of the cliff, watching the last rays of the setting sun be swallowed by the sea.

He stood up and brushed the bits of grass off his pants.

He returned to his shed.

The next day, he began cutting down trees.

He selected thick, sturdy timber and carefully trimmed the branches and finished the surface with the long knife that had been with him for many years.

The movements were slow, but very steady.

He didn't ask anyone for help.

One person, one piece of wood, and another piece of wood.

It took some time.

A small, simple sailboat, barely big enough for one or two people, appeared on the beach. Its hull was rough and undecorated, but its structure was sturdy enough to launch into the water.

He carried his meager possessions from the shed onto the boat—a water bag, a few flints, some dried meat strips and dried fruit.

Then he pushed the boat into the water.

I adjusted the small sail that was made from old canvas.

The sea breeze blows, and the canvas billows.

The small boat rocked gently as it left the island where it had stayed for several months and headed towards the vast ocean.

There is no clear destination.

He sat at the stern, watching the island where he had lived for some time slowly shrink in his field of vision until it became a black dot and disappeared.

Ahead, the horizon stretched as far as the eye could see.

He adjusted his posture, leaning more comfortably against the gunwale.

The small boat bobbed gently on the waves.

Go anywhere is fine.

The small boat is drifting on the sea.

Like a rootless leaf.

Food and fresh water were quickly running out. Liu Jiu licked his chapped lips, looking at the empty water pouch and the food bag that was now just crumbs.

We need to add something.

He had no intention of becoming a conventional fisherman or businessman.

A ship appeared in the distance. It flew a black flag with a skull and crossbones painted on it, and the ship was old and dilapidated, clearly not a reputable vessel.

Liu Jiu adjusted the sail of the small boat and moved closer to the pirate ship.

The other party had clearly also spotted the lone little boat. Rough laughter and whistling erupted from the boat.

"Hey! You little boat over there! Hand over your valuables!"

"With its delicate skin and tender flesh, it would be nice to catch it and play with it! Haha!"

Several pirates stood on the ship's side, brandishing their weapons, their faces filled with undisguised malice.

Liu Jiu's small boat got even closer.

He could even see the stains and damage on the other party's deck.

An impatient pirate grabbed an empty wooden barrel and, grinning maliciously, hurled it at Liu Jiu's small boat!

"You ungrateful bastard! Go sink to the bottom!"

The wooden barrel arrived with a whooshing sound as the wind blew through it.

Liu Jiu looked at the wooden bucket that flew towards him.

He didn't even stand up.

He simply sat at the stern and raised his right hand.

He gently tapped the incoming wooden bucket with his index finger and thumb, then flicked it outwards.

An extremely casual gesture, like flicking dust off one's shoulder.

Nothing at all.

But the wooden barrel flying in mid-air seemed to be hit head-on by an invisible hammer!

"Bang——!!!"

The barrel suddenly stopped in mid-air, then exploded! Splinters of wood flew everywhere like fireworks!

The pirate who threw the barrel was stunned.

The other pirates who were laughing along the ship's side were also stunned.

The smile froze on his face.

Liu Jiu lowered his hand, and the small boat had already moved alongside the pirate ship's side.

He stood up, and with a light leap, landed on the other person's deck.

The movements were light and subtle, making almost no sound.

The pirates on deck then realized what was happening, and in shock and anger, they drew their swords and surrounded the area.

"Damn! Is he an ability user?"

"Kill him!"

Liu Jiu watched as the group of pirates charged forward.

His eyes showed no change.

He needs supplies and doesn't have time to waste with them.

He raised his hand again.

This time, it was aimed at the pirate charging at the very front.

It still involves gently tapping with the index finger and thumb to pop it out.

The pirate's forward momentum suddenly halted, as if he had been hit head-on by an invisible wall. A small dent was visibly made in his chest, and he was sent flying backward, knocking over two of his companions behind him. The three of them rolled around in a heap and instantly lost consciousness.

The other pirates stopped abruptly, staring at Liu Jiu in horror.

Liu Jiu ignored them, his gaze sweeping across the deck and landing on the corner where supplies were piled up.

He walked in that direction.

A pirate mustered his courage and swung his sword from the side.

Liu Jiu didn't stop walking; he simply tilted his head to avoid the blade, while casually swinging his right hand backward.

The pirate was struck as if by an invisible hand, flying sideways and crashing into the ship's side with a sickening cracking sound before slid limply to the ground.

No one dared to step forward anymore.

All the pirates were frozen in place, as if struck by a spell, their faces pale, watching this ghostly man walk toward their supplies.

Liu Jiu rummaged through the items. He took some clean fresh water and food that could be stored for a long time, and also picked out two well-maintained short knives and some useful odds and ends.

There aren't many items, but it'll be enough for him to use for a while.

He carried these things, walked to the side of the boat, and jumped back into his own small boat.

He never glanced at the pirates again.

The small boat raised its sails and slowly sailed away.

A deathly silence fell over the pirate ship. The pirates watched the small boat gradually disappear into the distance, as if watching a nightmare awaken.

Liu Jiu sat on the small boat, taking stock of the things he had just acquired.

He picked up a water bag, uncorked it, and took a sip.

The fresh water had a slightly wooden barrel flavor; it wasn't very tasty, but it was thirst-quenching.

He put down the water bag and looked at his hands.