"You've blocked my path, my pitiful son."
Bea's voice was cold enough to freeze the air itself. The cruel smile on his lips deepened into something monstrous, twisting his scarred face into a mask of pure malice.
The blade in his hand gleamed under the storm-lit sky. With a roar that echoed across the battlefield, he swung it down toward Cree's neck. The force of it split the air, like thunder tearing through silence.
This was no longer a father just a beast in human skin, a monster driven by rage and pride, who even now showed no mercy to his own blood.
Cree's body trembled uncontrollably. The weight of terror crushed his chest as the shadow of that blade loomed closer. His knees nearly gave out. For a brief, helpless moment, he was that frightened child again the boy who watched his mother die, powerless to stop it.
But he did not run.
No matter how much fear tore at his soul, Cree gritted his teeth and stood his ground. His eyes, once full of confusion and sorrow, now burned with a red, furious light.
"I'll kill you," he whispered through clenched teeth. "Even if it costs me my life."
He grabbed a rusted iron rod lying nearby. His hands trembled so hard the metal clanged softly against his knuckles, but he held it tight so tight his fingers turned white.
The pirate's blade came down in a flash.
And Cree lunged forward with a desperate cry, thrusting the iron rod straight toward Bea's heart.
It was raw, untrained, reckless but it was the strike of a son who had nothing left to lose.
Then, suddenly clank!
The rod stopped mid-air.
A warm, steady hand had caught it.
And a calm voice broke through the chaos.
"That title 'the son who kills his father for justice' isn't yours to bear."
Cree blinked.
Eli Winters stood there, one foot planted firmly on Bea's back, holding the iron rod effortlessly in one hand. The corner of his mouth curved into a faint, knowing smile.
Bea let out a strangled grunt beneath Eli's boot. His spine was crushed, his limbs twitching weakly against the dirt.
Cree's strength drained away all at once. His fingers slipped from the rod, and the makeshift weapon clattered onto the ground with a dull clang. He dropped to his knees, shoulders shaking, and then the tears came.
At first, silent. Then louder. Until the dam inside him finally broke.
He cried like a child raw, unrestrained, his sobs echoing through the rain-soaked village.
Years of grief, pain, humiliation, and guilt poured out of him all at once.
He remembered everything his father abandoning him and his mother to chase glory on the seas; his home reduced to ashes; his mother wasting away in despair until she died alone; the villagers' hatred and scorn; the long, bitter nights when he blamed himself for being alive.
For four long years, he had carried that burden in silence.
Now, as his tears mixed with the rain and dust, he finally let it all go.
Eli stood silently, letting the boy cry. He didn't offer words of comfort none were needed. He simply watched, his expression gentle.
After all, as a certain song once said: Real men cry too.
Eli turned his gaze toward Big Pan and the others. The battle was far from over. The pirates were still charging toward the villagers, weapons raised, eyes wild with bloodlust.
Uncle An and the security squad held their ground, weapons trembling but firm.
They weren't trained soldiers just fishermen, farmers, fathers but their eyes showed no fear. They knew their duty: to stand between death and the innocent.
Big Pan cracked his knuckles, letting out a deep growl. "No one touches the villagers."
With one leap, he landed between the pirates and the defenders.
A terrifying wave of pressure erupted from him a wave so powerful that it crushed the air itself. The pirates froze mid-step, their weapons slipping from numb fingers as Big Pan's Conqueror's Haki washed over them like a hurricane.
One by one, they dropped to the ground, fainting, twitching, or simply paralyzed with terror.
Thunder rumbled overhead.
Dark clouds split open as Filina raised her hand. "Judgment from above," she whispered.
Bolts of lightning crashed down, blindingly bright.
The sound was deafening CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
When the light faded, the pirates lay scattered across the muddy ground, their bodies smoking, unmoving.
The one-eyed brute fighting Hoshino froze mid-attack, his confidence shattering.
"Damn it… Bea, you idiot!" he shouted in panic. "You said this was an easy raid, not a death trap!"
His instincts screamed run, but Hoshino gave him no chance.
The security captain's body bristled with quills, and with a roar, he unleashed them all at once.
The quills shot forward like arrows, piercing the one-eyed man's arm, chest, and shoulder. The pirate howled and stumbled back, blood pouring from his wounds.
He tried to flee only to be stopped by a single silken thread.
"Where do you think you're going?" Fiona said softly, flicking her finger.
The thread wrapped around him like a snake, binding him tight. Within seconds, the fight was over.
Bea's crew was finished.
Hoshino, panting heavily, walked toward Eli and the others, dragging the bound pirate behind him. His face was smeared with dirt and blood, but his eyes burned with gratitude.
He stopped before Eli, bowed deeply, and said hoarsely, "Thank you. If you hadn't come… Maple Village would've fallen."
Eli clapped a hand on his shoulder, smiling. "You protected your home. That's what matters."
Hoshino nodded, eyes glistening.
The villagers cheered. Children cried with relief. For the first time in years, Maple Village felt safe again.
But peace never lasts long.
Bea, lying broken on the ground, lifted his head weakly and rasped, "Cree… you hate me, don't you? Then do it. Kill me. End it!"
Cree froze, his tears drying mid-cheek.
Bea's lips twisted into a sneer. "Come on, boy. Avenge your mother. Show me you're my son!"
Eli's eyes narrowed. He could see it the darkness in Bea's grin.
Bea knew he was finished. But if he could drag his son into the same abyss, he would die satisfied.
Cree stepped forward, iron rod in hand again. The villagers held their breath.
He took one step… two… each heavier than the last. His mother's smile flashed through his mind gentle, tired, but full of love.
"Cree… don't live with hatred. Your life is your own. Don't let your father's sins become your burden."
Cree stopped.
He looked down at the man who had destroyed everything he loved and for the first time, he felt… nothing.
He dropped the iron rod.
It hit the ground with a quiet clang.
"I won't kill you," he said softly. "You'll live and face justice from those you hurt."
Bea's eyes went wide with disbelief. "You coward! You're no son of mine! You "
Before he could finish, Hoshino stepped forward and swung his blade.
One clean stroke.
Bea's head hit the ground with a thud.
The storm ended.
That night, Maple Village celebrated under the stars. Laughter and music filled the air, food and drink flowing freely. Big Pan, of course, was in the center of it all, laughing louder than anyone else.
But Eli stood a little apart, his eyes scanning the crowd.
Cree was nowhere to be seen.
He found the boy later, alone on a quiet hill outside the village. The rain had stopped, and Cree sat under a tree, playing his flute. The tune was soft peaceful this time, not sorrowful.
When it ended, Eli applauded softly and stepped forward. "Seems you've finally stepped out of the shadows."
Cree smiled faintly. "Thanks to you."
Eli shook his head. "You did it yourself." He paused, then asked, "Why not celebrate with the others?"
Cree looked away, his smile fading. "I don't belong there anymore."
Eli thought for a moment, then grinned. "Then come with me. The Silver Dragon could use a musician."
Cree's eyes widened. "You mean… I can join you?"
"Of course," Eli said. "You've got the courage and the soul of a pirate. Welcome aboard."
Cree's face lit up. "Thank you, Captain!"
The next morning, as the Silver Dragon prepared to sail, the villagers gathered to see them off. Hoshino and Uncle An stood at the pier, waving.
As the ship drifted away, a boy with a limp came running.
"Cree!" he shouted. "Come back alive!"
Cree leaned over the railing, grinning. "I will, Alei!"
Eli smiled quietly, flicking a small pill toward the boy. It landed perfectly in Alei's mouth.
He blinked, swallowed then gasped as warmth spread through his leg.
He took a step. Then another. His limp was gone.
"My leg! It's healed!" Alei shouted in disbelief.
The villagers stared in awe.
Only Hoshino and Alei understood this was Eli Winters' kindness.
As the Silver Dragon vanished into the golden horizon, the sea breeze carried the last echoes of laughter and flute music across the waves.
Cree had finally found his freedom.
_________________________________________________
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