Chapter 61: Crisis
Kyle stared at the hostile islanders, racking his brain for any mention of a "Raijin Island" in the original story. He came up empty.
A salty, damp wind whipped across the pier. On the horizon, purple lightning snaked through thick clouds, rumbling ominously. This island felt forgotten by the world. If they hadn't strayed off course, they might never have found this place, shrouded in mist and thunder.
"Raijin Island..." Kyle murmured, curiosity piqued.
There were countless uncharted islands on the Grand Line, but few were this heavily guarded and isolated. Had they stumbled onto a hidden civilization?
Opposite them stood a group of burly islanders, led by a middle-aged man. His bronzed skin was covered in fine scars, and a lightning-bolt tattoo ran from his temple to his cheekbone, glowing faintly in the dim light. His hawk-like eyes were locked onto the three intruders, his wariness almost tangible.
Behind him, the younger men held strange weapons—long spears tipped with conductive crystals that sparked dangerously in the gloom.
"Are you the Raijin Clan?" Kyle asked directly, ignoring their demand to leave.
Without waiting for an answer, he bent his knees and launched himself from the speedboat.
BOOM!
He landed on the wooden pier like a meteor. The sturdy planks shattered, leaving a crater nearly a meter wide, wood chips flying everywhere.
Netero and Knov exchanged a glance, instantly understanding Kyle's intent: Show of force.
A flicker of approval passed over Netero's aged face. He leaped lightly, but upon landing, an explosive force defied his frail appearance. His crater was even deeper than Kyle's.
Knov adjusted his glasses, landing with clean, precise grace, yet leaving an equally deep impact.
The display worked. The islanders were shaken.
The leader's eyes wavered. His clenched fists relaxed slightly, his tone softening.
"Our island is surrounded by a sea of thunder. It only disperses for one day every thirty years. If you don't leave now, the storm will close in, and you'll be trapped here for three decades. Unless you want to be prisoners, leave while you can!"
His men looked at him in shock. Their usually aggressive leader was being polite to intruders?
"A sea of thunder that only vanishes once every thirty years?" Kyle raised an eyebrow, feigning surprise perfectly.
He looked out at the purple storm clouds on the horizon. The dancing lightning formed a natural barrier. Behind such a supernatural phenomenon, there had to be a secret.
"That's right," the leader pressed, seeing Kyle hesitate. "That's why we haven't had visitors in a century. The storm is closing. Go now!"
Kyle waved a hand dismissively, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. "It's still early. We're not in a rush. We just got here; how can we leave so soon?"
The leader's face darkened. Veins bulged on his arms. He glared at Kyle, clearly struggling with the urge to attack. But a glance at the three craters stopped him.
"Suit yourselves," he gritted out. "But don't say I didn't warn you when you're trapped."
He turned sharply, his rough cloak snapping in the wind, and led his men away.
Once they were out of earshot, a younger islander whispered, "Brother Raizo, we're just letting them in? What if they find the secret and fight us for it?"
Raizo's expression was grim. "Those three aren't simple. Especially the old man. He landed with zero preparatory movement. His strength is unfathomable. We can't win a direct fight. But..."
A cold light flashed in his eyes. "Do you really think they can beat the First Prince? As long as the Prince secures that Devil Fruit, we can finally leave this cursed island."
"Hoh hoh hoh. Something smells fishy," Netero said, stroking his beard.
Knov pushed up his glasses, the lenses flashing white. "When someone tries that hard to make you do something, it's usually to hide something else. If he thought he could beat us, he would have attacked."
"Whatever they're hiding," Kyle said, watching the retreating islanders with excited eyes, "we'll find out once we go deeper."
Following the path, the trio headed inland.
The deeper they went, the denser the vegetation became. Strange bioluminescent plants glowed blue, lighting the path. The architecture was ancient, adorned with lightning motifs. Elders sat on porches, watching the strangers with wary curiosity.
Distant drums and chanting grew louder as they approached the island's center.
When they reached the central plaza, they stopped.
Hundreds of islanders in colorful traditional garb, faces painted with lightning patterns, were dancing to a powerful rhythm. Their movements were synchronized, arms raised to the sky as if welcoming lightning.
But Kyle's eyes were drawn to the center stage.
Inside a transparent container floated a strange fruit.
It was covered in lifelike lightning patterns, and tiny sparks jumped and flickered on its surface. Even from a distance, the energy radiating from it was palpable.
"Is that... a Devil Fruit?" Kyle whispered, disbelief in his voice.
He'd seen Devil Fruits in books, but never one that felt so alive.
Knov narrowed his eyes. "That pattern... it gives me a bad feeling. That fruit is not ordinary."
Kyle ran through his mental encyclopedia. Lightning pattern? It screamed Rumble-Rumble Fruit. But Enel had that fruit on Skypiea.
So what was this? Why was it here? Why were they worshipping it?
Just then, a squad of soldiers in silver-gray armor approached. The officer in charge had a stern face and a lightning crest on his chest.
"You are the guests from outside," he said politely but warily. "The King invites you to the palace."
Kyle raised an eyebrow, glancing at Netero and Knov. They nodded. They were curious, too.
They were led to the palace at the highest point of the island. Unlike the simple village, the palace was majestic, built from black stone, with spires topped by blue crystals that absorbed lightning strikes.
In the main hall, an elderly man in regal robes rose from his throne. He had white hair and a kind face, but his eyes were sharp. He held a scepter topped with a massive blue gem that seemed to contain a storm.
"Welcome, travelers," the King said, his voice booming and warm. "I am Styx Thunder, King of this land."
Kyle bowed slightly. "King Thunder, it's an honor. I am Kyle Link. These are my companions, Netero and Knov. We are Pirate Hunters."
"Pirate Hunters?" The King's interest peaked. "The brave warriors who hunt pirates?"
"Exactly. May I ask why you invited us?"
The King's smile faded, replaced by deep worry. He walked to the window, looking down at the glowing plaza.
"You saw the Devil Fruit in the plaza?"
Kyle nodded.
"That is not a real Devil Fruit. But... the real one does exist." The King turned, his gaze intense. "Raijin Island is a nation cursed by heavenly thunder."
"Cursed?" Kyle asked.
"Yes. The fruit in the plaza is a fake, a ritual object to calm the people. The real fruit exists, but it is in a place of extreme danger."
Kyle's mind raced. Raizo trying to drive them away... the King's words...
"You mean," Kyle said slowly, "the fruit in the plaza is a decoy. The real one is hidden, and someone—perhaps a rebel faction—is trying to get it. Is that right?"
The King looked shocked that Kyle had deduced so much.
He nodded heavily. "Yes. That is why I invited you. Raijin Island is facing an unprecedented crisis."