Chapter 37: the route that everyone longs for
-It's time to go; we can't wait for even a second with the Navy making moves, - Axel said from the village exit, a few steps from the port.
There, all the villagers from the port were gathered. Some were still drunk from the grand celebration and the end of the oppressive Fishman who mistreated their race.
-So fast, you can stay until Nami arrives; she won't take long. She'll be happy that you've saved the entire island. You're welcome to stay, - Nokijo said.
-The Navy will pursue us until the end of our days. The East Blue is not our place. We are too dangerous for this sea, and we will be discriminated against. We're heading to the Grand Line, and your sister still has much to learn in this sea before venturing out, and so do you, - Axel said.
-But... -
-Don't worry. We'll come back someday and visit the village. Give this to Nami; the paper contains instructions. Being a navigator, she'll surely understand the complexities of the design, - Axel said, handing over the Clima-Tact, with three knots distributed across the staff. It was a nerfed version of the second Clima-Tact he would use.
-She'll keep it, but for me, there's no gift, - Nokijo said, pouting. The cheekiness of Bellmere's daughters was evident in their quick way of connecting with people.
-Hmm, I have something I can give you. Wait a second, - Axel said. He searched for a music box he had from his last trip to Clockwork Island, a small box that, at Axel's request, played the melody of "Binks' Sake."
-This music box plays a song. It's 'Binks' Sake.' It's the adventure that is always in my heart, a song that brightens your spirits in the worst moments, - Axel said, handing over the "Binks' Sake" music box with beautiful designs.
-I'll cherish it with all my heart, - Nokijo said joyfully, hugging the box. -- Again, thanks for saving the island, - Nokijo replied.
-Nojiko isn't lying; you've done a lot for the village, - Genzo said.
-Live, live happily, - Axel said.
-See you soon! - shouted the villagers as they watched the ship sail away from the island, recovering from the blow caused by the end of the Arlong Pirates. They entered cautiously due to the new pirates who had an air of danger around them, perhaps more so because they had defeated Arlong and his crew. However, after getting to know Axel's gentle appearance, they decided to feed and thank them with festivities.
-Damn human, when I get out of these chains, I'll eat you in one bite, - Arlong said, bound with his companions in irreverent knots all over his body. With a slight movement, he suffered a strong electric shock, added to the lack of food and numerous wounds, his life stank at the moment.
-Silence, scum, - Metal said from the ship's helm. The fire thrusters were used, and Sergeant Metal's photographic memory earned him the new name of the ship's helmsman. With his robotic right eye, he could even see in the darkest nights any source of heat or object. Together with his memory and Axel's advice, he has solidified his position as the ship's helmsman, and the positions are gradually being filled.
-I still can't believe he's your friend, - Ussop said, looking at the metal giant with sunglasses and a tough appearance.
-Well, now he's everyone's friend. We're Nakama. There's no division of 'this one is a friend of another,' and 'the other is only a friend of the other,' - Deuce said.
-Incorrect, Kuro is not a friend to anyone, - Ussop said.
-Well, when you get to know him, it's fun, - Deuce said.
Ussop took two steps back and grabbed his heart, surprised.
-Axel, Deuce is sick, - Ussop said.
-Hahaha, it's nothing, Ussop, - Axel said.
Agatha laughed in her beach chair, sipping on a lemonade.
-Captain Axel, we'll reach the island in about half an hour, - Metal said.
-Well, you heard him; we have something to do in Loguetown before heading to the Grand Line. We'll have to deliver these fish-men, - Axel said.
-Haha, I've already left Impel Down. A mere Marine captain won't stop Arlong, - the fish man said.
-Well, you left as a favor from Jinbei to the World Government. Even Jinbei's shadow defended your position in the East Blue. But soon, the entire Navy will know that you're trash. Colonel Mouse is dead by my hand, and by now, the news will have reached headquarters and Morgans. I don't think you'll have much support from now on, - Axel said.
The hatred in Arlong's gaze was reflected as he continued spewing insults one after another, and Axel could only think of killing him, but it wouldn't be wise with Gad and the Fish-Men.
After handing over almost fifty million Berries from Arlong's treasure, his smile improved a bit, despite knowing he would be squeezed by the triplets once they had the opportunity to spend it. Logue Town wasn't a good place for sightseeing, especially with Smoker defending the place.
-Well, Deuce, call Gad, - Axel said.
he hammerhead shark emerged, totally cheerful and refreshed.
-We'll reach the next town in thirty minutes, -- Axel said. --- We'll do some shopping in an hour and leave immediately. I don't want to deal with Smoker. Don't attract too much attention. --
-Well, I'll help Rubis with the shopping, - Gad said.
-Am I handing these three over to the Marines, right?" -Axel asked.
-Ah, yes, - Axel said, stopping at Arlong and his commanders.
-Metal, you'll accompany Nihtal if she wants to go to the island to buy some necessary things for her research, - Axel said.
He saw the triplets coming out of the cabin with Nihtal and her electric chair.
-Man, having this big guy as my backup makes me feel safe, - Nihtal said.
Axel nodded to Metal.
-Yes, Captain, - Metal said from the helm.
-All of us wanted men will wait on the ship. Try not to cause any trouble. You have an hour, - Axel said.
-Alright, everyone in your positions, - Ussop said, happy to spend his allowance on some things.
-Do you think anything will happen to them? - Deuce asked.
-Not at all. They have Metal; he may not look like much, but his physical quality is one of the best. Plus, there's Gad to back them up, although he has a bounty, it's not recognized in the East Blue, - Axel said.
Everyone descended cheerfully.
-Well, I'll go buy some clothes, Captain! See you later, guys, - Agatha said, taking a different path.
-Be careful and don't cause any trouble, - Deuce said, approaching her in an obvious display of affection.
-I'm a free spirit, masked man, - Agatha said, smiling. Her new beach shirt revealed her beautiful figure, courtesy of the Coconami Islands clothing store.
-Help me train my Tekkai technique, - Axel said.
-You've already got the hang of it, - Deuce whispered, surprised.
-Not quite. I learned a bit about Shigan, and I think it uses the same principle as Tekkai. I can harden my body a bit, but it's challenging to concentrate in combat, - Axel said.
Tekkai training after grasping Shigan is simple, and it's not a bad idea to learn some extra techniques. His next step is to learn Kami-e; these are the two techniques before Haki, which can help unlock his powers.
-You're skilled, - Deuce said.
-Why do you say that? - Axel asked.
-Oh, come on, you've been practicing these powers for a month, and you've already learned two skills. At that rate of progress, in six months, you should master the Six Powers technique completely, - Deuce said.
-How about you? - Axel asked, with evident curiosity.
-Nothing good. I'm still trying to improve Soru's ability, along with everyone on the crew. The only one who has been able to use it skillfully is Kuro, and it's for obvious reasons, - Deuce said.
-You have to train your physique harder; this technique is good, but only if you're powerful, - Axel said.
-That's what I'm trying, but I've been focusing on perfecting my Devil Fruit abilities, - Deuce said.
-Well, keep hitting. The sooner I have this skill perfected, the more secure I can feel about your strength, - Axel said.
The punches kept coming as Axel dodged and received Deuce's attacks. Mastering Tekkai involves hardening the body; it's almost like gathering all the cells in the body and compressing them as hard as metal.
-Let's stop for today; my arms are hurting! - the young man exclaimed. Despite having a Logia, his purely physical endurance is depleted too quickly, and attacking Axel with his fiery body and fire techniques in this confined space isn't a great idea.
-Hahaha, your Logia also has some disadvantages that aren't so obvious at first, - Axel said.
-It's true, that destructive power is one of them. Controlling the amount of damage done in an attack is a problem, - Deuce said, rubbing his head.
-Come, I'll teach you how to perform Soru. After all, I'm a master, and I've managed to reduce its physical strain with some techniques, - Axel said.
-How did you do it? - Deuce asked.
-It's simple. The principle of Soru is used to kick forcefully and gain acceleration, but this wears out the legs and knees. However, if you tighten your abdomen and back, concentrate your force on your soles as if you were about to jump, and strike ten times, the result is immediate without wearing out your body so much, - Axel said, demonstrating his mastery of Soru.
-Wow, that wasn't in the book you bought, - Deuce said. Dragon had given Axel a book with information on the six marine styles and Haki abilities, along with some teaching methods.
-I learned it. When you're skilled enough, combine Soru with your fruit ability, - Axel said.
Deuce nodded, his confidence renewed. Axel's explanation was very helpful. Deuce had been trying this technique for four months, and now he was starting to understand it better.
-Well, here's everyone. We have to leave as soon as possible, - Axel said.
-Wait, you're not handing over the pirates,- Deuce asked.
-They have some things to do before paying for their sins, - Axel said.
-Let's go to the Grand Line, - Axel said.
...
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