Unexpected Events in the Night

Three mornings later, at the pier.

"Seriously, do I have to bring this thing?"

Xia Nuo weakly raised the Den Den Mushi that had been shoved into his hand.

"Less talk, just bring it when I say so."

Bellemere snapped, fierce as ever. "You're kicking up a fuss about going to sea, and you won't be back for a month. How old are you? How am I supposed to feel at ease?"

"Uh, that's got nothing to do with age, right? Pretty sure no one in the whole village can beat me..."

"Just bring it, Xia Nuo."

A middle-aged man in a coffee-brown patrolman's uniform crossed his arms and laughed heartily, the brand-new little windmill on his head whirring fast in the sea breeze.

"Otherwise, she wouldn't have let you leave today. Oh, and take good care of my little treasure—call the Village Office if you need to reach me. Tch, if Bellemere hadn't cornered me a few times and forced me to hand it over, I'd never part with it for a brat like you."

"Who asked you to run your mouth!"

Bellemere flew into a rage and smacked Genzo hard across the face. His police cap, windmill and all, went flying, landing on the sea surface beside the pier.

"My new windmill!" Genzo scrambled to jump into the water and retrieve it.

"So it really was yours, Uncle Genzo."

Xia Nuo nodded in realization, poking the Den Den Mushi's head with his finger. "I was wondering why this little thing had a windmill growing out of its head."

Blub blub!

The Den Den Mushi, lazily chewing on a basil leaf, shot Xia Nuo an annoyed glare at the prodding, then huffily turned its face away.

Heh, fun.

This was his first time handling a Den Den Mushi up close. Pretty cute, but pricey—starting at tens of thousands of Berries.

Yeah, couldn't afford one yet. Once he saved up some cash, he'd buy one for each of his little sisters as pets.

"You violent maniac, I was just trying to help persuade him."

Genzo climbed back onto the shore, dripping wet, blew on his soaked windmill, and carefully set his cap back in place.

What rotten luck—why did fate always have it out for his little windmill?

Every so often, about once a year, the windmill on his head would mysteriously vanish.

He had no idea which damn little thief kept stealing it. This one was freshly made just a few days ago, and it had nearly met the same fate.

Bellemere couldn't be bothered with him. She turned to the tall, thin old man directing the crew as they checked the cargo, softening into a gentle smile:

"Mr. Gart, this is the boy's first time on such a long voyage. I'll leave him in your care along the way."

"Don't worry. I come here every year to buy supplies—we're old acquaintances. This much I can manage."

Gart lit his pipe with a grin, speaking politely. "Asagiri Island is a commercial hub and right on our route. I can promise you I'll deliver the boy safely to that island."

"Then thank you kindly."

Bellemere smiled, clasping her hands together in a gesture praying for a safe voyage.

Once Gart had left, she instantly switched back, scowling at Xia Nuo:

"Alright, go on. Since you've worked hard lately, I'll indulge you this once and let you head to Asagiri Island to unwind. Don't forget—you have to contact me at least once a week!"

His real reason for going to sea, of course, couldn't be told to his family.

Traveling a thousand miles to steal an eight-year-old kid's hat? No one would believe that story.

So he'd swapped it for: he was bored staying home and wanted to tour Asagiri Island for fun, and maybe check out the swordsmanship dojos there to see if he could pick up a move or two.

As it turned out.

A convincing lie often had to be built on truth.

The second reason alone had immediately fooled Bellemere.

She'd heard about it back when she was in the Marines.

That island had several famous swordsmanship dojos, and they held a grand joint Kendo Tournament every year—the best place in the nearby seas to study the blade.

And from what she'd secretly observed, Xia Nuo's swordsmanship training really wasn't going smoothly. Plus, there was a Marine base stationed on Asagiri Island, and the sea route was safe.

So, after much hesitation, she'd finally agreed to his somewhat excessive request.

"I know, I know! I'm off! Remember to say goodbye to Nojiko and Nami for me!"

It was only six in the morning now, and he'd left home before five. The two little ones were fast asleep; Xia Nuo had just pinched their cheeks, not having the heart to wake them.

Bellemere helped him tuck the Den Den Mushi into his coat pocket. The windmill on its shell immediately poked the fabric into a funny bulge, which Xia Nuo patted in mild dissatisfaction before waving goodbye to the two elders seeing him off and jogging toward the cargo ship in the distance.

The salty sea breeze swept past the boy's gradually blurring silhouette.

"..."

Bellemere sniffled, turning her head away with suspicious speed.

Only Genzo noticed that she'd quietly slipped a few large bills into the boy's pocket along with the Den Den Mushi.

"I said."

Genzo waited a moment, then asked in confusion, "Why are you stuffing the money in so sneakily? Putting it all in one pouch—aren't you afraid the Den Den Mushi will eat it?"

Bellemere's motion of secretly wiping her tears froze instantly.

"Ahhh, you bastard, why didn't you say so earlier!"

The red-eyed ponytailed woman whipped her head back around, her face crumbling in despair, and sprinted toward the end of the pier, shouting as she ran:

"Hey! Xia Nuo, wait! Don't get on the boat yet—"

The moonlight was dim, the sea shrouded in darkness.

On the merchant ship's deck, warm orange lantern light glowed, and a makeshift banquet of a few mismatched tables and chairs steamed with cheerful heat.

The ship wasn't small, with a total crew of about twenty or thirty. They were gathered together now, whistles and the clatter of beer mugs clinking in cheers rising from time to time.

This feast wasn't held to welcome Xia Nuo, of course—he was just a passenger hitching a ride, not qualified for that.

As for the reason... on this sea, did you even need a reason to throw a party?

"Hey, kid, how's it going? Still dizzy and wanting to puke?"

Old Captain Gart, puffing on his pipe, sidled over and slung an arm around Xia Nuo's shoulder.

"I'm fine now, Captain Gart."

Xia Nuo quickly swallowed the grilled meat in his mouth to reply. Beside him were only eight or nine empty plates, clearly showing that even in front of others, he ate in small bites—very shy and restrained.

Speaking of what Gart had brought up, it was a bit embarrassing.

After all, it was his first time boarding a large ship for ocean navigation, and he'd never experienced this before.

Yesterday morning, when the merchant ship had just hit full speed and was pitching through the wind and waves, Xia Nuo had really been leaning over the railing, nearly throwing up last night's meal. A few middle-aged uncles had gathered around him, patting his back, fetching water, and handing him towels, barely helping him recover.

Fortunately, his years of training hadn't been wasted. His robust physique gave him an adaptability beyond ordinary people.

In just a few hours, the seasickness gradually faded.

After sleeping through to the next day, he was completely back to normal. No matter how much the ship rocked, he remained energetic, no different from these veteran sailors who'd been at sea for years.

"Whoa, not bad physique. Looks like your mother worried for nothing, haha."

Gart smiled, tapping out his pipe, "You've got the makings of a fine sailor. How about it, when you grow up in a few years, want to come work on our ship?"

"When the time comes, if there's a chance, I'll definitely consider it." Xia Nuo chuckled, knowing the old man was just teasing him, and didn't refuse outright.

The uncles on this ship had all been kind to him, and he had a pretty good impression of them.

"Mr. Gart." Xia Nuo asked curiously, "We've been sailing for over forty hours now. How much longer until we reach Asagiri Island?"

"The currents and winds have been pretty favorable this time, faster than expected." Gart smiled, "At most, four more days, if nothing goes wrong later..."

Thump!

A dull, heavy crash suddenly shattered the silent night, cutting off Gart's words.

"What was that sound!"

"What's going on?"

The lively banquet came to an abrupt halt. Almost everyone shot to their feet, startled and uncertain, searching for the source of the noise.

"It came from the stern!"

Gart, experienced as he was, made the call first and barked in a deep voice, "Don't panic! Helmsman and gunners, take your positions! Send a few people to check the stern!"

"Aye, Captain!"

The crew scattered quickly, each following their orders.

Xia Nuo instinctively reached for the Wooden Sword at his waist—he didn't really need to carry it, but since he'd said he was going to learn swordsmanship, he had to play the part fully.