A/N: We are getting closer to the ending of the first Arc. I'm still taking last name suggestions btw 🙂.
Also please help me pay for my Internet 😭. Since schools are closed I can't use the school WiFi, which means I have to pay for my own :(. The internet Cafe is also far from my house and can probably go there 3 times a week.
[Patreon.com/tenten100?] It's only $5 for everything tenten100. And this will help me write more chapters and free the stress on my shoulders. Don't feel forced tho, it's all voluntary ✌😁.
ENJOY THE CHAPTER
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Kushina looks at the out-of-breath, sweating Bellé-mer.
She says, "Bellé-mer-chan… why do you look so distressed? What happened?"
Kushina's voice snaps Bellé-mer out of her shock. She quickly says, "Oh, Mrs. Kushina…" Then, remembering her urgent task, she immediately starts scanning the room in a panic.
Her eyes land on it. A silver saber with a black hilt leaning in the corner.
Without hesitation, Bellé-mer rushes toward it and grabs the blade.
Everyone in the room freezes in confusion.
Kushina hurries over and says, "Wait, wait, Bellé-mer-chan! What do you want with Sterling's blade? And why are you in such a rush?"
Bellé-mer, gripping the saber tightly, turns sharply to face Kushina.
She says, "Mrs. Kushina… over 100 pirates are raiding the island, and Sterling is left alone there to stop them. So I had to rush here to get his saber."
The entire room goes silent.
Noelle covers her mouth in shock. "Over 100!?? Why are so many pirates coming to our village?"
Kushina's eyes widen, wandering around the room in panic.
"Sterling… is Sterling going to be okay?" Then she snaps, "Why did you leave him alone, Bellé-mer!?"
Bellé-mer quickly says, "Mrs. Kushina, Sterling told me to run and get his saber since he cannot fight properly without it!"
Noelle, just as worried, adds, "Mrs. Kushina, I don't think you should be shouting at Bellé-mer right now…"
Kushina takes a deep breath and calms herself slightly.
"You're right, Noelle-chan. I'm just… so worried. I'm sorry, Bellé-mer-chan."
But before Bellé-mer can respond, Shanks suddenly appears in front of her.
He holds out his hand.
"Give it to me. I'm faster."
He's clearly referring to the saber.
Bellé-mer stares at him. "What are you two even doing here in the first place? And why would I give the saber to you? I'll take it to Sterling!"
Shanks replies impatiently, "Now's not the time for arguments. Give me the saber."
Bellé-mer is about to snap back when Kushina cuts in firmly.
"Bellé-mer-chan, give Shanks the saber."
Bellé-mer hesitates. "But Mrs. Kushina… these two are strangers."
Kushina smiles knowingly.
"Don't worry, we can trust them."
Then she looks toward Shanks with a confident, almost teasing smile.
"I'm sure Captain Shanks wouldn't want a member of his crew fighting such a battle on his own."
Shanks smiles back.
"Of course not."
Bellé-mer looks between the two, confused.
"Am I missing something here…?"
Noelle says, "Bellé-mer, just give him the saber. Sterling is all alone out there."
Bellé-mer hesitates a moment longer, then finally hands the saber to Shanks.
She then says, "Yami also went to help Sterling."
Shanks chuckles.
"I didn't expect any less."
Kushina bows her head slightly.
"Shanks-kun, Benn-kun… please help Sterling."
Shanks grins.
"Of course."
Bellé-mer says, "I'm coming too!"
Shanks waves her off.
"No need. A hundred or so pirates is more than enough for just the four of us."
Bellé-mer shouts, "Huh!? Don't get ahead of yourself, that's 100 pirates!"
Shanks says calmly, "Trust me on this one."
And in a sudden blur. Shanks and Benn Beckman vanish from the room entirely.
All three women freeze in place, wide-eyed.
So fast!
All three think the same thing.
Bellé-mer turns to Kushina and Noelle. "Noelle, Mrs. Kushina… what were those two pirates doing here?"
Kushina smiles calmly. "Oh, don't worry about it. Those two are not bad people at all."
Bellé-mer frowns. "I know they're not bad people, but they are still pirates, and I don't trust them. I don't know what lies and deceit they fed you, Mrs. Kushina, but you shouldn't believe them."
Kushina waves her hand dismissively with a small chuckle. "Oh, you worry too much. Relax a bit, Bellé-mer-chan. And Shanks-kun and Benn-kun weren't feeding me any lies or deceit at all."
Bellé-mer crosses her arms. "Then where did such trust for that pirate come from?" Bellé-mer asks
Kushina smiles. "I just know he won't let any harm come toward Sterling. I can see it in his eyes."
Bellé-mer stares at her for a moment before sighing. "Regardless… we need to gather the villagers who can fight and go support them in defending the village."
Noelle who is laying on the bed stretches. "Don't bother. It would be a waste of time."
Bellé-mer snaps her head toward her. "Have you also gone out of your mind, Noelle? Are we really underestimating the situation here? And Mrs. Kushina, how can you remain so calm?"
Kushina sits on the edge of the bed. "Bellé-mer-chan. Do you remember how Sterling told us about the legendary pirate, Gold D. Roger?"
Bellé-mer say, "That heinous criminal who started the Great Pirate Era? Yes, I remember. What does that have to do with anything?"
Noelle answers, "Well, Shanks-san was part of Roger's crew."
Kushina raises one finger with a bright smile. "Correct. So anyone who was part of such a legendary pirate's crew has to be strong."
Bellé-mer freezes, stunned. "He was part of Roger's crew? But why don't I know anything about him? I've researched all legendary criminals and their crews and never came across the name Shanks. Could he be lying?"
Kushina shakes her head. "Nope. If he were lying, I would certainly see through it."
Bellé-mer's eyes gleam. "A remnant of the Roger Pirates… Could I really have come across such a big fish by chance? If I capture him and hand him to the Marines when I join next month, I'll rise through the ranks instantly!"
Kushina chuckles. "Well, you'd have to catch him first, Bellé-mer-chan."
"Don't underestimate me, Mrs. Kushina." Bellé-mer says with a smile.
---
Elsewhere, Shanks and Benn Beckman sprint across the terrain at incredible speed.
Shanks grins. "You think he's dead yet, Benn?"
Benn smirks. "Bet one hundred thousand Jenny he's beating all of them up alone."
Shanks laughs. "Why would I bet against something that's so obvious?"
Benn laughs back as they keep running.
---
Back on the battlefield, Captain Frugal stands red with rage. "Why… why… WHY are you so strong, STERLING!?"
Sterling, having taken down forty pirates by himself, scratches his head casually. "I don't know. Training, I guess."
Yami struggles to catch his breath. He has taken down ten pirates alone, but his Observation Haki is still in its early stages. Unlike Sterling, who effortlessly evades every attack, Yami has taken several cuts and blows. Sterling even had to cover for him multiple times.
"I'm sorry, Sensei," Yami pants. "It seems I'm dragging you down."
Sterling smiles. "Don't worry about that. All that matters is gaining experience. By now, you should understand your Haki still lacks. Work on it."
"Yes, Sensei."
Vice Captain Natch trembles. "Captain Frugal, this is not going according to plan at all."
"I can clearly see that, Natch!!" Captain Frugal shouts.
"S-sorry, Captain…" Vice Captain Natch responds.
Frugal turns back to Sterling. "It seems my plan has failed. I wanted to record you suffering a humiliating defeat at the hands of over one hundred and seventy pirates. I spent years planning this, only to learn it was pointless."
"Oh. Well, I truly am sorry for that," Sterling replies.
Frugal forces a smile. "Don't worry about it. The solution is simple. I can just command the remaining pirates to attack you at once."
Sterling smirks. "Is that so? Well then, do your best."
Frugal grits his teeth. "It's that overconfident, condescending tone that pisses me off! I don't want to see you for a second longer!"
He raises his voice. "ALL OF YOU USELESS PIRATES, ATTACK HIM! YOU CAN'T ALL FAIL! WHOEVER YOU ARE, KILL HIM!"
The remaining pirates roar and charge. But before any can reach Sterling, a crushing pressure floods the battlefield.
One by one, the pirates' eyes roll back, and they collapse to the ground in waves. Only Captain Frugal and Natch are left standing.
Frugal stares wide-eyed. "Your… your Haki. You had your Haki the entire time…?"
Natch's hands shake violently, making the Recording Den Den Mushi wobble.
Sterling sighs. "I'm afraid it wasn't me, Captain Frugal."
Frugal blinks. "What do you mean it wasn't you?"
A voice suddenly calls out
"Sorry I'm late, Sterling."
All three turn toward it.
Sitting cross-legged atop a block of ice is a young boy with striking red hair. One saber hangs at his waist, while the other rests casually in his hand, his chin propped on his palm as he smiles.
Standing beside him is a kid with slicked-back black hair with a long pistol resting across the back of his neck.
Shanks and Benn Beckman had arrived.