Chapter 14 – The Search for Windmill Village & A Drifting Journey
Two months later Over those two months, Ding Li used some basic modern interrogation techniques on the captured pirates. Every single one was irredeemable—murderers, rapists, slavers. They had committed countless atrocities under Black Rat's command.
So he bundled them together, weighted them down, and sent them to join their captain at the bottom of the sea.
Five months later — Sea Circle Calendar, Year 1466, January 6
Moonlight poured through the window like liquid silver, bathing the quiet room in soft glow. Koya curled against Ding Li's chest, staring out at the endless starry darkness. Her voice trembled when she spoke.
"Ding Li… it's been over half a year. No word, no sign. What if… what if my brother…?"
Ding Li tightened his arms around her, one hand gently stroking her cheek.
"Tomorrow I'll go to Windmill Village and ask around. Someone there has to know something."
Koya's eyes lit up with desperate hope. "Really?! I'm coming with you!"
"Of course," Ding Li smiled. "But promise me—whatever we find, we stay calm."
Koya nodded, though the worry never fully left her eyes.
Then her brows furrowed again. "But… we don't know the way. The only people who did are out fishing with my brother."
Ding Li scratched his head. "It's supposed to be close, right? We'll just… look around. Can't be that hard."
Koya sighed. "Fine. We'll figure it out."
That night, Ding Li held her close without any of their usual passion—just quiet comfort. She eventually fell asleep in his arms, whispering in her dreams.
"Dad… Mom… Brother… come back…"
Tears slipped from the corners of her eyes, sparkling in the moonlight. Her lips curved into a small, sad smile.
Ding Li's heart ached. He kissed the corner of her eye, tasting salt. "If we can't find him… then I'll be your family. I'll protect you for the rest of your life."
He slipped out of bed and walked to the beach. These past months, the constant fear from the imprisoned (and later drowned) pirates had been a steady source of emotion points.
Status:
One Piece World Rank: Headquarters Lieutenant
Combat Power: 7,887
Physique: 1,640
Vitality: 1,268
Soul Strength: 1,308
Total Emotions Collected: 4,186 / 10,000,000,000,000
Spendable Points: 0
Skills: None
He stared at the numbers. East Blue was his playground now. Even the strongest Marine branch captains were only Headquarters Lieutenant level. As long as he avoided the real monsters (most of whom weren't even active yet), this sea was safe.
He returned to bed, careful not to wake Koya, and slept with her curled against him.
Next morning They packed light, said goodbyes to the tearful islanders, and boarded the captured pirate ship—the only vessel left on Mya Mya Island.
The villagers lined the shore, waving until the ship became a speck.
Standing at the stern, Koya pointed south. "Let's head that way first."
"Good idea," Ding Li agreed.
Then neither of them moved.
They stared at each other.
Koya blinked. "You… know how to sail this thing, right?"
Ding Li scratched the back of his head. "…I thought you did."
"NANI?! You're a man and you don't know how to sail a ship?!"
"I… usually just rode with other people…"
Koya facepalmed. "So how did you get robbed by pirates and end up on our island?!"
Ding Li had no good answer.
They spent the entire day fumbling in the helm. Ding Li managed to steer left/right (barely), but direction? Currents? Stars? Completely lost.
By nightfall they were drifting aimlessly.
Koya sighed, but there was no real anger—just tired acceptance. She caught a massive king crab from the side of the ship—two meters long, meat sweet and rich.
They sat on the deck under the stars, cracking crab legs, moonlight on the water.
Koya leaned against him. "What do we do now?"
Ding Li shrugged, popping crab meat into his mouth. "Nothing we can do. Just let the currents and wind take us. Maybe we'll get lucky and hit land. If not… well, at least the view's nice. Moonlight, beautiful girl, giant crab, sea breeze…"
He grinned. "Honestly? Pretty great night."
Koya stared at him, then laughed despite herself—soft, tired, fond.
"You're ridiculous."
She rested her head on his shoulder. The ship drifted on, carrying two lost lovers toward an unknown tomorrow.
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