Chapter 36: The Spark
Seeing Chris preparing to launch into another round of earnest lecturing, Satoru decided he'd had enough. He had no habit of humbly accepting prolonged scoldings.
With a faint spatial distortion—a subtle use of Blue—he simply disappeared from the deck.
Whoosh.
"...and you must under no circumstances—huh?" Chris blinked at the now-empty space where Satoru had been standing. He sighed, a mix of frustration and resignation. He'd expected this. If Satoru had stood there and taken a lecture, it would have been a sign of the apocalypse.
"Hah... that guy," one of the other cadets muttered, watching the spot. "He's scarier than any instructor. He should've been a teacher, not a Marine."
"Enough," Chris said, regaining his composure. "Let's disperse. Check your communication devices. Make sure they're functional. If not, see me for a replacement immediately. Once confirmed, you're free to go ashore. Remember: first sighting of the Evil Skull Pirates, report at once."
Soon, the warship was empty. Even the normally principled Chris headed into the bustling archipelago with a relieved sigh. Two years of Marineford's rigid discipline had been stifling, not physically, but to his spirit. He'd been raised in luxury and indulgence; the Spartan naval life, while chosen, was a constant weight.
Satoru wandered the vibrant streets of Sabaody's tourist zones (Areas 30-49), feeling a sensation he hadn't experienced in years. The sheer, chaotic life of the place washed over him. Marineford had order, purpose, a martial solemnity. This place had noise, color, smell, and unvarnished humanity. It felt... real.
This is where normal people live, he thought, taking a blissful bite of a massive cloud of pink cotton candy. The sugary strands dissolved instantly on his tongue, and a genuinely happy, almost childlike smile bloomed on his face.
I don't want to go back to headquarters, a treacherous thought whispered. This place is much more fun.
As he strolled, munching on an assortment of sweets held in both hands, a sharp, desperate cry cut through the carnival-like atmosphere.
"Help! Somebody, please!"
It came from a shadowed alley branching off the main thoroughfare. Peering in, Satoru saw three rough-looking men attempting to drag a struggling young woman deeper into the gloom. Her cries were loud enough; many on the busy street must have heard. Yet, people averted their eyes, quickened their pace. The principle of 'see no evil' was in full force.
Satoru paused. He was a product of a different world's morals, where bystander apathy was a sin. He had the power to intervene. To look away now would be a conscious choice to abandon those principles.
Ahem. He cleared his throat, stepping into the mouth of the alley. "Excuse me, gentlemen. Isn't it a bit... uncouth to be kidnapping people in broad daylight?"
The three thugs jolted, startled. The woman's eyes locked onto him, flooding with hope.
Then she saw it was just a boy, a child holding candy. The hope died as quickly as it had risen.
The lead thug recovered, his fear morphing into a predatory grin as he took in Satoru's unusual white hair and delicate features. "Well, well. Business is good today. A little hero with a rare look. The nobles pay a premium for exotic ones like you."
"Little friend," another crooned, taking a step forward. "Since you're so keen on playing hero, why don't you come with us instead? We've got all sorts of treats."
Satoru looked down at his handful of pastries, then back at them. "Have you grown so sinful that you'd set your sights on me?"
He didn't wait for an answer. With a casual flick of two fingers, he activated Cursed Technique Lapse: Blue at a localized, controlled intensity.
The three men gasped as an invisible, irresistible force seized them. They were yanked into the air, becoming human pinballs in the confined alley. Thud! Crack! Smack! They caromed off the brick walls, the ground, each other. The sounds of breaking teeth and pained grunts filled the space. Within seconds, all three lay in a groaning, bloody heap, unconscious.
"Now," Satoru mused aloud, tilting his head. "Chris said something before I left, didn't he?"
He thought for a moment, then shrugged. "If I can't remember, it couldn't have been important."
He turned and walked back into the sunlight, taking another bite of his cotton candy. The rescued woman stared, stunned, at the unconscious traffickers, then at the retreating back of her small savior. She didn't waste time; she gathered her skirts and fled in the opposite direction.
If Chris had witnessed Satoru so casually forgetting his dire warnings, he would have had a conniption.
Some time later, the three thugs groaned back to consciousness in the filthy alley.
"Damn... that brat..." the leader slurred through broken teeth, clutching his bleeding head. "A Devil Fruit user... with that face... He's a goldmine. We report this. Up the chain. Boss won't let a prize like that slip away."
Unaware, Satoru continued his culinary tour of Sabaody, his hands now full of different confections. He was being targeted by a vast, shadowy slave network. But even if he had known, it would have warranted little more than a shrug. Let them come. He wasn't on a diet. He'd return every single one of them, with interest.
(End of Chapter)
✨If you're enjoying this story, consider supporting me on Patreon —
Patreon.com/TofuChan
💕Patreon members get early access to chapters, bonus content, and voting power on future ideas.💕
Every bit of support helps me write more and faster. Thank you so much for reading! 🥰
Bonus Chapter For Every 100 Power Stones
Lets hit the goal of 150 Patreon Members now for 5 Extra Chapters 💕
We are at 144 members right now.
Donate me Stoness!!!