One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 19: A Race to the Village

"One, two, one, two, one, two!"

The synchronized chant of the shackled villagers echoed through the dense, muddy forest. Each step they took splashed against the soggy ground, their chains clinking in unison as they hurried in a single file, fleeing for their lives. Above the canopy, the monstrous squawks of the Matarona Birds reverberated through the darkening skies. These colossal, carnivorous creatures, with their pink-and-black-feathered coats, circled menacingly, their razor-sharp talons poised to strike.

The weather mirrored the chaos. Dark clouds gathered, blotting out the remnants of daylight. Lightning forked across the heavens, illuminating the terrified faces of the villagers. The winds howled like an omen of doom, and thunder rumbled, shaking the very earth beneath them.

Amidst the chaos, Meliodas ran alongside the chained villagers. His piercing green eyes surveyed the dire situation, his short, golden hair whipping in the stormy wind. Clad in a simple white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and green trousers, he gripped his sword tightly, the blade glinting faintly in the stormy gloom. Beside him was Elizabeth, her white-greenish hair bouncing with each hurried step. Her once-pristine white dress was now stained with mud, her expression a mix of determination and fear as she addressed the frightened crowd.

"Our village is the safest place from the Matarona Birds," she called out, her voice barely audible over the storm. "But it's still half a kilometer away! We must reach it quickly—but with these creatures above us, it's nearly impossible to make it safely!"

Meliodas's gaze shifted between the villagers and the circling predators. He could see their despair, hear their labored breaths, and feel the weight of their fear. Tightening his grip on his sword, he dashed to the front of the line, his voice booming over the chaos.

"I am Meliodas Lyones," he declared. "I swear to protect every single one of you from these birds! Keep moving toward your village—don't panic! As long as I'm here, not a single one of these monsters will harm you!"

His words struck a chord in their hearts. Tears welled up in the eyes of the villagers, their voices breaking with gratitude.

"Thank you, young man!"

"You're our savior! I owe you my life!"

"Please, protect my children!"

As they continued forward, the ominous screeches of the Matarona Birds grew louder. The massive flock, drawn by the scent of fresh blood and the noise of their retreat, dove through the treetops. Their talons slashed through the air, their glowing red eyes locked on their prey.

The villagers screamed, their chains rattling as panic set in. But Meliodas remained calm. Planting his feet firmly on the ground, he raised his blade and leaped into the air. In a flash, five identical clones of himself appeared beside him, each wielding a blade of their own.

Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd. Elizabeth's blue eyes widened in disbelief as she murmured, "This boy… he's insanely strong!"

The villagers exchanged awed whispers.

"Who is he?"

"Why haven't we heard of someone this powerful?"

"He killed a Celestial Dragon to save us. He put his life on the line for us, against the entire World Government!"

As the first wave of Matarona Birds descended, Meliodas and his clones met them head-on.

Crash!

The forest shook with the force of the collisions. Massive birds slammed into the ground, breaking trees in their wake. Smaller birds scattered in terror, their songs drowned out by the chaos. Thunder cracked overhead, and the winds howled louder, sending leaves and debris swirling.

Despite the onslaught, Meliodas stood his ground, slashing and parrying with precision. The villagers, emboldened by his bravery, began to cheer.

"You can do it, boy!"

"Fight on! Protect us!"

"Don't give up!"

Meanwhile, at a distance, the leader of Cipher Pol 6, a tall woman with jet-black hair and piercing eyes, stood amidst the destruction. Blood seeped from a deep wound in her shoulder, staining her tattered blue uniform. She knelt beside the lifeless body of the Celestial Dragon, her hands trembling.

"He's… not breathing," she whispered, her voice filled with dread. "That boy… that reckless boy actually killed him."

Her trembling hands reached into the folds of the Celestial Dragon's white robes, retrieving a tiny yellow Den Den Mushi. She stared at it, her resolve wavering.

"One call," she murmured. "One call, and an Admiral will come with his fleet. This entire island will be wiped off the map. That's all it takes."

The forest grew eerily quiet for a moment, save for the howling wind and the distant screeches of the Matarona Birds. Thunder rumbled faintly, and the leaves rustled ominously. Her hand shook as she pressed a finger to the snail's shell.

"I… I can't," she stammered, her voice breaking. "I don't want to die. I don't want to be executed for failing. I just… I just want to live!"

She stood, clutching the snail tightly, and began to stagger away. Her voice was barely audible over the storm.

"Let the birds have them. Let that boy play hero. I'm done with this madness. Damn the Navy! Damn the World Government! I'm saving myself!"

Back at the heart of the forest, the battle raged on. Meliodas's clones vanished one by one as they sustained damage, but not before cutting down scores of Matarona Birds. The villagers watched in awe as the young man single-handedly turned the tide of the battle, their hope rekindled with every swing of his blade.

For the first time in years, they believed in miracles.

But the question loomed heavy in the air: What will become of the world if news of today's events spreads?

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