Journey to Tinos

The remarkable thing about the Essence Breathing Technique was that its effects were immediate the first time it was used, which was why Aeneas had reacted so noticeably. As Aeneas's physical condition improved, however, those effects would gradually weaken.

At the very least, it would no longer instantly restore someone on the brink of death to full of life.

"Smells amazing!" Though Aeneas had not gotten any cooked food, he still wolfed it down.

Seeing this, Obi-Wan hurriedly took out some desserts and stuffed them into Aeneas's hands. He had no idea whether Aeneas would get sick from constantly eating raw meat.

"Whoa." Catching the scent of cake, Aeneas looked at Obi-Wan strangely. "Why would a grown man carry desserts around?"

Obi-Wan shook his head.

"This is food someone else likes. I specifically went into town to buy these sweets," Obi-Wan told Aeneas. "She is a little girl, and she is at our next destination, Tinos."

"Where is Tinos?" Aeneas had nearly forgotten that he had not even asked where Obi-Wan was taking them.

"It is a place with all sorts of people mixed together. Unlike Dunholke, it has no one in charge. It is a lawless land. Decades ago, Marine 1st Branch was stationed there, but it was later destroyed."

Obi-Wan spoke with some emotion.

"Destroyed? Who could destroy a Marine branch?" Aeneas was curious. It had happened decades ago, and he wondered whether it might overlap with someone from the original story he remembered.

Aeneas merely thought that if he happened to encounter such people, it would be a wonderful surprise—Encounter rewards from the lottery were incredibly generous. If he ran into a famous pirate, would that not make him rich?

Of course, that was only if he could ensure his own safety.

Obi-Wan said gravely.

"It was not destroyed by any one person. Several pirate crews formed an alliance and destroyed Marine 1st Branch. Most of those pirate captains were later killed. The only survivor was a man who came to be known as the Corrupt King. It is said that he was defeated by the Marines on the Grand Line and thrown into Impel Down."

Obi-Wan spoke at length. Though Aeneas was only eight years old, Obi-Wan seemed quite talkative and did not care whether Aeneas truly understood these dull matters.

And Aeneas was genuinely enjoying himself. It saved him the trouble of explaining things.

"The Corrupt King?" Aeneas was slightly surprised. "Is he the Avalo Pizarro I know?"

Avalo Pizarro, known to the world as the Corrupt King, had not been given much introduction in the original story. Aeneas only knew that Blackbeard had recruited him as a crew member and made him a fleet captain.

"Were those dead pirate captains all famous pirates?" Aeneas asked. He was only asking casually. They were already dead, so no matter how famous they had been, they could not offer him any benefits.

"Yes, every one of them was a notorious pirate with a bounty exceeding a hundred million. Before even entering the Grand Line, they wanted to wipe out a Marine branch as their grand opening." Obi-Wan smiled. "And they actually succeeded, though the price was nearly total annihilation."

"Oh, and it is worth mentioning that the island where the Marine branch once stood was the hometown of the current Marine admiral, Akainu Sakazuki." Obi-Wan continued rambling. "These are all stories I heard as a child. They should all be true..."

Then Obi-Wan took a sip of water, looking as though he wanted to keep talking for several more hours.

Seeing this, Aeneas hurriedly stuffed a piece of cake into Obi-Wan's mouth, plugging it shut.

"Enough, enough. Hurry up and cook for me. Stop talking, I'm starving!" Aeneas broke out in a cold sweat. He had not expected this butler to have such a trait—once he started talking, he simply could not stop.

"Oh, oh, yes, Young Master Aeneas!" Obi-Wan might have been talkative, but since his young master had spoken, he did not continue. He turned around and resumed cooking.

Before long, Aeneas was enjoying a hearty lunch.

After eating, Aeneas immediately began practicing the Essence Breathing Technique. He quickly used and digested the energy from the food, and the feeling of fullness eased considerably.

"What a convenient ability." Aeneas was becoming more and more satisfied with the Essence Breathing Technique. "I only used it once, yet I can already feel that my body has grown much stronger!"

This was not Aeneas's imagination. He could truly feel his strength increasing, and by quite a lot—several times over, it seemed.

Of course, for a child, multiplying his strength several times only brought him close to an adult's level.

Obi-Wan was also secretly watching his young master. He was increasingly astonished by how mature Aeneas was in both behavior and speech. He silently thought, Lord Antonidas, I will protect your child well and raise him into someone who can stand on his own. Then I will seek justice for you and uncover the truth behind everything!

Obi-Wan clenched his fists. He believed Antonidas's death must have been the result of someone's scheme. But for now, he still had to look after Aeneas, as well as the other little girl.

Speaking of that little girl, Aeneas took the chance to ask Obi-Wan about her while he had nothing to do after eating.

"What is the situation with that little girl?"

"She is about your age, and her name is Rami. It looks like she suffered a shipwreck, so I rescued the poor child. But she seems physically weak. I do not know whether she is ill. The town doctor took one look at her and fled in fright, without leaving any useful information behind. Sigh..."

Whenever the little girl was mentioned, Obi-Wan grew worried.

"I wonder how she is doing now. But where she is hiding is very safe, and no one will find her." Obi-Wan looked out the window in thought. "You must wait for me. I brought you your favorite sweets."

Seeing Obi-Wan staring blankly into space, Aeneas was slightly moved as well.

"What a gentle old man..."

Aeneas could sense a warm, familiar feeling from Obi-Wan. That presence made him willing to approach and trust Obi-Wan.

"Young Master Aeneas, let me tell you about my plans for the future." Obi-Wan did not remain immersed in his emotions for long. Once he had recovered, he spoke solemnly to Aeneas.

Aeneas nodded.

"Since you possess such powerful talent, I intend to train you into a strong man, because only the strong can survive on these seas!" Obi-Wan met Aeneas's eyes. "Your father, my master, Lord Antonidas, was a headquarters Marine colonel. He was immensely powerful and exceptionally kind."

"I absolutely do not believe that he would commit the kind of outrage that angered both man and god described in the news!"

Aeneas knew that Obi-Wan was referring to the massacre of civilians.

"Therefore, once I have trained you well enough, I hope you will allow me to leave. I must find the truth behind your father's death!" Obi-Wan's tone brooked no argument.

At the mention of his father, the emotions of Aeneas's original body surged with fury. Even Aeneas, who had transmigrated into this body, could not shut out those feelings.

"That was my father. Once I grow up, I will make those who framed him pay the price!" Aeneas spoke with conviction, as though he were speaking to Obi-Wan, and also as though he were making a promise to the original owner of this body.

"But you must protect yourself first. If the enemy is too strong, we must make long-term plans."

Seeing his young master act so experienced, Obi-Wan had long since become accustomed to being surprised. He merely nodded heavily before going out to take the helm.

They were drawing ever closer to Tinos.