CHAPTER 45
[On a ship near the port of Kexzaz Island]
The deck was alive with motion, yet calm—a strange contradiction. Men and women in crisp white suits some lounging while some trained diligently, their movements precise, almost mechanical.
At the prow of the ship, a lone figure stood, ash-colored locks covering his face, his presence radiating a wild, almost untamed aura.
Then suddenly…
"Boooomm!"
The sound of an explosion shattered the air. The entire ship fell silent, heads turning toward the source, the island in their direction.
A gust of wind swept across the deck, tugging at the man's coat, making it flitter behind him like the wings of a dark bird.
From the observation room, a young man called out nervously,
"Captain…"
"Don't worry," came the calm, confident reply. The ash-locked figure leapt onto the prow with effortless grace. "This… will give us the right adrenaline."
His laugh was low, almost sinister. "We don't need to face Kaido again. A worthy opponent has presented himself. Hehehe… boys, don't die on me." The voice carried a steady, almost comradely tone, but underneath it lingered the thrill of the hunt.
Two girls standing nearby exchanged glances. "Weird people… tch," they muttered in unison, continuing to chew their gum.
"Hahahahahaha… get ready for battle!" a huge brute of a man bellowed from behind, slamming his knuckles together.
"But captain… I can't sense your brother among them," the young boy protested, adjusting his glasses. Concern was evident in his eyes.
"Heh… leave it to big bro," the ash-locked man said, his voice softening with reminiscence.
"It's not enough to bring him down yet. I'm sure he'll come… seeking revenge." A light chuckle escaped him as his thoughts drifted to the 'jumping rabbit'—a man who fought like he had no care for his life, yet whose tenacity was unmatched.
[Kexzaz Central Palace – 10 minutes earlier]
The King and his queen arrived at the palace, flanked by their men, only to be met with a scene of chaos. Smoke curled into the sky, buildings bore scars of battle, and the air smelled of gunpowder and tension.
"Assist every civilian. Rescue the injured, and wipe out those disgusting agents," the King commanded, his face grim and brimming with authority.
"Has the chief guard reached Digil and Keptyn?" the queen asked, worry knitting her brow.
"Yes. Digil and the chief guard are fighting alongside others against the agents," he replied.
"Huff… that's a relief," she murmured, but before she could finish, she vanished—her body flickering out of sight. The soldiers gawked.
"Isn't that… the Silent Step? But… it doesn't look like it," a voice murmured behind the King.
"Yes, it is. She can use it because she created it. It doesn't resemble our version—our attempt to remove silence in the Silent Step of the assassins to make us more efficient." A smug smile spread across the King's face, pride shining in his eyes.
"Move! Move! Move!" he roared, charging toward the fray himself.
[Near the battlefield]
"Boommm!" The ground shuddered as twin explosions erupted in opposite directions.
From the chaos, Digil and Chief Commander Albert emerged, back-to-back, moving like a synchronized machine.
"Hehehe… let's see how many more you can dodge!" the twin brothers laughed, unleashing a barrage of cannon blasts.
"Mr. Albert…"
"Yes, my lord!"
"I want to use a move that will leave me defenceless"
[Digil's POV]
"Thinking I'd have to use a technique inspired by him… without showing him… ugh, what a drag," Digil thought, swirling into a newly-created technique.
"I'll probably have to make it up to him somehow."
"Mr. Albert, I'm putting my life in your hands," he whispered, eyes closing as he focused.
"Yes, my prince," Albert's voice grounded him, as it always had. Protecting them since birth, Albert had been the unwavering shield—unlike that ungrateful agent who had used their father's kindness for his own ends.
Memories of empty streets together, nights and training flooded his mind.
"Why can't you just let it flow… instead of trying to control it?" a younger Keptyn had asked, scratching his head while watching Digil practice armament Haki.
"Knock!" A bump appeared on Keptyn's forehead as Digil tapped him lightly.
"You just taught me nothing! It's easier for you because you don't think like a normal human… you autistic boy," Digil said, snorting with pride flickering in his eyes as he smiled at his younger brother.
"Oh! I know! Think of it like a rubber band. Pull it slowly, gently… it won't snap. Force it, and it will break," Keptyn suggested.
"Huh?" Digil frowned, a red tick forming on his forehead.
"How does that explain anything?" Another bump appeared as Digil lightly knocked Keptyn again.
"Wait, wait… maybe do it like this?" Keptyn held up his hands defensively, shielding his now-bumped head.
"Go on," Digil said, nodding.
"Be reckless…
look at your goal without fearing danger or chaos—even if it costs your life.
Like me: I wanted to become your helmsman. I promised to train, to learn.
And also protect the citizens of Kexzaz because I will be running away soon.
So I stopped thinking about the consequences of my action but I channelled into my training.
Armament Haki… it's strength. Two months of trying, letting my intent flow… it worked. " He ended his face beaming with smile.
"Brother… brother…" Keptyn called out, eyes shining, As he stared at his brother who was now lost in thought
.........
"Silent Step," he muttered under his breath.