Chapter 27: Amatsuki Toki's Joining
To be honest, Roy thought, instead of letting Amatsuki Toki suffer alongside that idiot Kozuki Oden, it would be far better for him to save this beautiful sister himself.
Oden's record in history was hardly flattering: frequenting red-light districts at six, living in temples by fifteen, and abducting women to build a harem. The man was a walking scandal—an inconsistency wrapped in arrogance. Even after his so-called redemption, he dragged Toki into misery and met a fiery end.
If fate had truly brought him face-to-face with Toki, then Roy was determined to change her future. He'd intercept destiny itself.
---
"Well… there is somewhere I want to go," Toki said softly, her voice laced with hesitation. "But it's hard for me to reach it alone."
Roy nodded thoughtfully, but before he could reply, the sound of clattering armor filled the street.
"Hurry! They're over there!"
A squad of soldiers wearing the uniform of the Rommel Kingdom Guard charged toward them, led by a noble holding an ornate staff. The man's silk hat tilted slightly to the side as he glared up at the giant beside Roy.
"You two—are you warriors from Elbaf?" the noble demanded.
The giant frowned. "Who are you supposed to be?"
"I am Duke Erwin of the Kingdom of Rommel," the noble declared, bowing slightly with exaggerated grace. "Owner of the royal auction house, and a dear friend to the giants of old. I can offer you a generous sum in exchange for that slave."
He gestured toward Toki, his greedy eyes glimmering as he drank in her beauty.
The giant's smile vanished. He clenched his massive fists, veins bulging beneath his bronze skin. Then he looked down at Roy and Toki, laughter rumbling from his chest like distant thunder.
"You dare lay claim to the woman our Elbaf boy has set his eyes on?"
"W–Wait, great giant warrior," the duke stammered, suddenly pale. "There's no need for violence—"
BOOM!
The ground exploded beneath the giant's fist. The cobblestones shattered, and the shockwave sent soldiers flying like rag dolls. Dust and smoke filled the air as the duke's hat went spinning away, leaving him trembling on the ground.
"I… I can explain—"
"Get lost, trash!" the giant thundered.
The duke's explanation died on his tongue. He collapsed in a heap, his ceremonial staff clattering beside him.
"I'm no one's slave!" Amatsuki Toki shouted, her voice fierce and proud. She glared at the trembling noble, her small hands balled into fists. Then she turned to Roy and the giant, her expression softening. "Thank you. If it weren't for you, I might have truly been sold today."
Roy grinned. "You're welcome. Anyway, we're traveling around the world on an adventure. Sister, why don't you come with us? I can protect you—and make sure no one hurts you again."
Toki hesitated, looking at the boy in front of her. He was young, maybe six or seven, yet his eyes carried a calm wisdom far beyond his age. Despite calling himself a pirate, there was nothing cruel about him.
"Is that… really okay?" she asked quietly.
"Of course it is!" Roy replied with mock indignation. "Unless you dislike me already, Sister~?"
Her lips curved into a faint smile. "No, not at all. If you don't mind, I'd be honored to join you."
The wind tugged at her long green hair, making it shimmer beneath the afternoon sun. She stood before Roy, her soft laughter carried away by the sea breeze.
Roy felt his heartbeat quicken. She was older than him, sure—but he'd read plenty of stories about charming older sisters. If he played his cards right, maybe…
He coughed and quickly looked away, trying not to glance at the "mountainous scenery" directly in front of him. Focus, Roy. Be polite.
Meanwhile, behind them, the duke's surviving guards were being chased and pounded into the dirt by the other giants. Screams echoed through the streets.
Roy exhaled. "We should get going. If the navy hears about this, they'll come running—and that'll just be annoying."
"Agreed," said the giant, nodding. He crouched down and extended his enormous hand.
Roy hopped onto the giant's palm and reached a hand down toward Toki. "Come on up, Sister. It's faster this way."
Toki smiled faintly and took his hand. Roy pulled her onto the giant's broad palm, steadying her as the wind whipped around them.
Feeling the warmth and smoothness of her palm, Roy released Toki's hand.
Amatsuki Toki watched as the small, soft hand slipped away, and a faint smile curved her lips. How adorable…
As a kid trying to "conquer" an older woman, Roy knew the situation was delicate. He had to find the perfect balance—confident but not overbearing, kind but not childish.
Alright, he thought, as long as I keep an eye on the intimacy meter, I'll be fine.
[Amatsuki Toki]
[Relationship: New friend]
[Intimacy: 42]
[Intimacy Points: 700]
Having saved her and even invited her aboard with a promise of protection, his bond with Toki had skyrocketed. The "favor of being rescued" really was a cheat code.
Out of the 700 points, 650 came from earlier, while the remaining 50 were the bonus reward for surpassing an intimacy level of 40.
Toki—last survivor of the Amatsuki clan and wielder of the Time-Time Fruit—was, in Roy's mind, an incredible ally. Her very existence was worth that reward.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The giant thundered down the road toward the port, each step shaking the ground. Roy sat comfortably on his massive palm, occasionally glancing at Toki and striking up light conversation.
"What's that?" Toki finally asked, pointing curiously at the fiery orb hovering beside Roy.
"Stupid woman… tsk." Pandora turned away, glaring at her with a spark of jealousy.
A faint wisp of smoke curled from the little sun's head. Clearly, he wasn't pleased.
Ever since this woman showed up, Pandora grumbled inwardly, Master's been spending less time playing with me!
"This little guy?" Roy laughed. "He's just a ball of talking fire—completely harmless." He grabbed Pandora midair and began rubbing him into all sorts of squishy shapes. "See? Very obedient."
Pandora let out muffled squeaks as Roy molded him like clay.
Toki covered her mouth, giggling softly. The fiery creature was cute in a strange way.
"Really? You're sure it's safe?" she asked cautiously.
"Of course! I use him to light campfires when we cook, as a pillow when I sleep, and to keep warm on cold nights. Isn't he great?" Roy said proudly, continuing to stretch Pandora's cheeks.
Pandora forced a smile through the rough handling, his little flames flickering in protest.
Toki smiled gently as she watched them. The boy and the flame spirit seemed inseparable—perhaps traveling with someone like this wouldn't be so bad after all.
"Enemy ships ahead!"
The giant's voice broke her thoughts. They had reached the port, and two navy warships were cutting through the waves toward them, cannons already being loaded.
"Woo-woo~"
The first cannonball screamed through the air and exploded into the sea beside the ship, sending a spray of saltwater across the deck. It was a warning shot.
The next barrage wouldn't miss.
"Let's get out of here!" Roy shouted.
"Why not just sink them?" Redding asked, gripping the hilt of his sword. For a warrior of Elbaf, sinking two warships was child's play.
Roy frowned. "Too much trouble. If we destroy them, the Navy will slap bigger bounties on our heads, and we'll just attract more of them. It's like kicking a beehive."
Redding paused, then nodded. "Fair point."
"Set sail! Get us clear of their range!" he bellowed to the giant crew.
The massive pirate ship groaned as its sails caught the wind, turning sharply toward the open sea.
Behind them, the Navy's cannons thundered again. Shells rained down, splashing dangerously close.
Pandora, now blazing like a miniature sun, hovered above the deck with flames dancing wildly across his surface. "Let me burn them! Just one blast! I'll turn their ships into ashes!"
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