One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 12: A girl, from Elbaf?

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The night sky stretched vast and infinite, a canvas painted with countless stars that shimmered like scattered diamonds. A crescent moon hung low, casting its pale silver glow over the tranquil waters of the sea. Its reflection danced upon the gentle waves, which caressed the shores of the island with a soothing rhythm. The salty breeze carried with it the faint whispers of the ocean, a melody that blended harmoniously with the rustle of palm trees swaying on the distant edge of the beach.

At the shoreline, anchored in the serene embrace of the bay, was one of the ships belonging to Whitebeard's great fleet. The ship was a sturdy, timeworn vessel with its figurehead—a snarling lion—standing proudly at the prow. Its weathered sails bore the insignia of Whitebeard, the mark of a crew united by loyalty and strength. The deck was dimly illuminated by the moonlight, and atop it, a lanky man sat slumped against the railing.

This man, Hikari, was a peculiar sight. His bald head glistened faintly under the lunar light, and his thin frame gave him an almost frail appearance. Yet, there was something hardened in his demeanor, a quiet resilience that suggested he had weathered countless storms. He let out a raspy yawn, his voice betraying his overwhelming desire for sleep.

"They're so late," he grumbled, his voice carrying a tinge of irritation. His pale eyes drooped as if the weight of exhaustion were too much to bear. "That kid Milieodas said he'd be back by sunset… I can't believe I actually trusted a child's word."

Hikari shifted in his spot, crossing his arms in an attempt to stay awake, but sleep threatened to overtake him. As his eyes fluttered shut, a strange sound broke the stillness—a heavy, deliberate thud that reverberated through the quiet night. His eyes snapped open, narrowing in alarm as the sound repeated, growing louder and closer.

Turning his gaze toward the sound, Hikari's breath hitched as he spotted a colossal figure emerging from the shadows of the shore. The giant's red hair glowed faintly under the moonlight, and his muscular frame was nothing short of intimidating. A fresh scar cut across his chest, its edges still raw, telling the tale of a recent battle. This was no ordinary man—this was a warrior, one whose presence commanded fear and respect.

"What the—?!" Hikari stammered, his body stiff with tension as the giant advanced. He clutched the railing, unsure whether to prepare for a fight or flee.

Before he could decide, a cheerful voice broke through the tension.

"Yo, Hikari!" Milieodas' voice rang out, lighthearted and carefree.

The boy's figure appeared with effortless grace, perched atop the ship's edge. His golden hair gleamed like sunlight caught in starlight, and his emerald-green eyes twinkled with mischief. Despite his small stature, there was an air of confidence and strength about him that could not be ignored.

"Sorry for being late!" Milieodas added with a wide grin.

Hikari's eyes darted to the ship's edge, where a hand—large and menacing—gripped the railing. Moments later, another figure pulled himself up: Teach. His dark beard glistened with seawater, and his deep, guttural laugh echoed across the deck.

"Zeahahaha! Finally, we're done with that miserable island," Teach bellowed, shaking water from his boots as he stepped onto the ship. "Whitebeard owes me for babysitting this brat."

Hikari scowled, torn between irritation and curiosity. His attention snapped back to the giant, who remained at the edge of the shore, watching the ship with an unreadable expression.

"What's with the giant, anyway?" Hikari asked, his tone wary.

Milieodas hopped down from the edge, landing softly beside him. He turned to glance back at the giant, a faint smile playing on his lips. "That's Nindo. Giant of War… and my friend."

"Your friend?" Hikari echoed, incredulous. "You've never even been to this island before!"

Milieodas shrugged. "Doesn't matter. He's a friend now. Isn't that right, Nindo?"

The giant nodded solemnly, his red eyes reflecting the starlight. Despite his intimidating presence, there was a certain calmness in his demeanor.

"See?" Milieodas said, his grin widening. "Told you."

Hikari sighed, running a hand over his bald head. "What kind of friendship is that, exactly?"

Ignoring the question, Milieodas turned back to Nindo. "There's still a long time before our next meeting. What'll you do until then, Nindo?"

The giant tilted his head back, his gaze fixed on the endless expanse of stars. His crimson eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, filled with an indescribable depth of emotion. "There's a girl… entrusted to me by an old friend. I was searching for her before I met Roger, but… I lost sight of her for a while. She's from Elbaf, but she's not there."

Milieodas' curiosity piqued, his green eyes glimmering in the dim light. "A giant girl? What's her name?"

"Diane," Nindo replied, his voice heavy with regret. "I can't believe I forgot her face… but her name, I remember."

Milieodas turned to Hikari, his expression thoughtful. "Do you know anything about her?"

Hikari frowned, scratching his head. "That name… I've heard it before, but I can't remember where."

Teach, already heading toward the stairs leading below deck, snorted dismissively. "I don't care about any of this. Let's just get back already."

Milieodas watched Teach's retreating back, a flicker of suspicion crossing his face. "Hikari, why's Teach in such a hurry to return?"

Hikari hesitated before answering. "I'm not sure, but he's been… different lately. Obsessed with finding a specific Devil Fruit. Any fruit brought to him by Whitebeard's men, he rejects. No one knows what he's really after."

Nindo, standing at the shore, watched the exchange with quiet intensity. Something about Teach unsettled him, a scent in the air that was almost… rotten. He didn't voice his thoughts but silently resolved to keep an eye on Milieodas.

"Well," Milieodas said, turning back to Nindo with a cheerful grin. "I guess this is goodbye for now. Take care until we meet again."

Nindo nodded, a faint smile softening his stern features. "Five years will pass in the blink of an eye, boy. Farewell."

As the ship pulled away from the island, guided by Hikari's steady hand at the helm, the gentle waves carried them into the vast expanse of the night sea. The stars above seemed to bid a silent farewell, their light reflecting in the calm waters below. Nindo stood at the shore, his massive silhouette etched against the starlit horizon. His crimson eyes lingered on the departing ship, a quiet resolve in his heart.

Below deck, in the dimly lit confines of the ship, Teach clenched his fist, striking the wooden wall with a dull thud. His eyes burned with barely contained fury.

"I can't hold back any longer," he growled to himself. "That boy's fate moves far too quickly… Should I kill him now and take his power? Or wait for my moment? No… it would be an insult to end it like this after all these years. I'll wait for the Yami Yami no Mi. It's mine. It will be mine."

The ship sailed onward, its course set for new horizons, unaware of the storm brewing within its hold. The journey back had begun, but for Milieodas, Nindo, and Teach, it was only the prelude to something far greater.

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