Chapter 10: Set Sail! Golden Dawn!
"Hey, Gerd~"
"What's wrong,Linlin?"
Gerd turned to look at Linlin,who was lagging a few steps behind. She was so excited last night she could barely sleep.
"I'm a little nervous~"
Gerd chuckled."What's there to be nervous about? Didn't Elder Jarul say you're plenty strong already? You've even got the basics of 'Country Destroyer' down."
"Really?But Oro is improving even faster than me..."
"Yes,really! Now come on, everyone's waiting!"
Gerd smiled and reached out, gently taking Linlin's wrist. Her fingertips brushed the fine calluses on Linlin's palm—the marks of years spent tirelessly swinging a giant axe.
As they rounded the corner, they saw Uncle Leif approaching, carrying a wooden crate about half his height. Steam rose from it, carrying the faint, savory scent of smoked meat.
"Hey! Linlin, Gerd! Heading for the docks in a hurry?" Uncle Leif set the crate down and pulled out two gleaming, grease-glistened strips of smoked meat. "Fresh smoked mammoth ham for your journey. The ship's main supplies are already loaded. I figured you wouldn't lack for food, so it's all smoked meats, dried fruits, and the honey cakes Linlin loves."
Linlin's eyes lit up instantly. She reached for the meat a bit too eagerly, lost her balance, and her elbow bumped against a stack of Adam Wood logs beside them.
The logs—spare timber delivered just yesterday for ship repairs, each as thick as a barrel—wobbled dangerously, one threatening to topple over.
"Careful!"
In a flash,Gerd raised her hand and pressed it against the teetering log. A faint orange light emanated from her fingertips.
The next second,the heavy log suddenly "softened," morphing into a pile of fluffy, warm bran muffins that smelled of freshly baked bread.
"Oh!" Linlin snatched up a muffin and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling her praise. "Delicious! You're amazing, Gerd! The things you make keep getting tastier!"
"You two certainly know how to have fun on the road,"came a familiar voice from behind.
Oro approached, carrying a leather satchel from which the corner of a brass-bound box protruded. He helped Gerd gather the scattered muffins, then pulled two small golden whistles from his bag, handing one to each girl.
"Take these. I've installed quite a few useful gadgets on the ship. If you need help with any heavy or tedious work, just blow this whistle. A little golden helper will come to your aid."
Linlin took the whistle, clutching it tightly. Some of her tension seemed to melt away.
The three walked side-by-side toward the bustling port. Along the way, aunties with woven baskets, young warriors carrying newly forged axes, and children who had come with their parents to see them off all greeted the trio with warm smiles.
At the village entrance, they found the two elders waiting for them beside the statue of old Tarrol.
Jarul handed a heavy animal-skin pouch to Oro. "A gift from the dwarves of the underground. And this…" He then produced a bronze badge from his pocket, engraved with Elbaf's sun totem. "You may encounter giant merchant caravans in the West Blue or North Blue. Show them this if you need aid. They will usually assist you."
Jorul patted Linlin's shoulder, his tone uncharacteristically gentle. "Girl, your 'Country Destroyer' is nearly formed. But remember, once you're at sea, don't swing your axe at the first sign of trouble. There is always someone stronger, and the sky is always higher. If you run into problems, talk to Oro. He's clever."
Linlin nodded vigorously. "I know! But no matter what, I'll protect Oro and Gerd!"
Gerd couldn't help but laugh. She retrieved two leaf-wrapped packages from her pocket and offered them to the elders. "These are stamina cakes I made with the Cook-Cook Fruit. I added Elbaf's unique Sun Grass. They restore energy. Please have them when you're tired from training."
Watching the scene, a warm feeling blossomed in Oro's chest. But he glanced up at the sky; the sun had already climbed past the peaks of Elbaf's pillars, and cheers were rising from the direction of the harbor.
"It's almost time. Gerd, Linlin, we should go."
Linlin wanted to say more to the elders,but Gerd tugged her arm. Not far off, outside a bakery, the shopkeeper was waving, holding up Linlin's favorite strawberry tart.
Oro smiled helplessly. "Go on. Get the tart, then meet me at the port."
The trio made their way toward the docks,chatting and laughing. Linlin nibbled her strawberry tart as she walked. Gerd helped adjust the strap of Oro's satchel. Oro cast occasional glances back at the village, determined to sear the image of Elbaf deep into his memory.
This was his starting point in this world, the place where he found his crew, the harbor he would always return to, no matter how far he sailed.
In the early summer of Sea Calendar 1486, Elbaf was buzzing with a unique energy.
Following the era of the Giant Warrior Pirates a century prior, another ship, blessed by all giants, was finally ready to set sail!
"Awesome!" "Incredible!! What a huge ship! So cool!"
Amid the bustling crowd at the port,Hajruden excitedly shook his friend Rhodes's arm. Rhodes, however, was too captivated by the magnificent vessel to pay him any mind.
"Wow… How did Oro-nii get the tribe to build such an amazing ship?! Is all that shiny stuff really gold?!"
"It is."
Standing beside them,One of the giants , his voice thick with emotion.
"That boy Oro isn't just skilled in combat and Haki.He's developed his Devil Fruit powers to an extreme. Since he and the elders established the public treasury with the people's consent six years ago, life in the village has genuinely improved. The public funds over these years owe much to him. This ship is Elbaf's gift in return."
"She is 316 meters long, 62 meters wide, with a main mast 150 meters high, a draft of 16 meters, and a standard displacement of approximately 30,000 tons. A standard three-decker. Her keel and hull are crafted from Adam Wood, stained a dark oak and inlaid with pure gold reinforcing bands. A red-maned seahorse forms the ram at the bow, and the figurehead bears the likeness of old Tarrol. Double-layered giant sails! The main sail bears a sun totem painted in pure gold, while the secondary sails are edged with gold and feature Elbaf's warrior patterns!"
"This treasure, five years in the making, is our giants' and humankind's… latest masterpiece!!!"
Hajruden glanced sideways with mild disdain. The kids were excited enough, but this uncle was getting even more worked up than they were.
"Everyone!"
A loud shout came from the ship.All eyes turned upward.
Oro, having changed into a suitably flamboyant red captain's coat, stood on the ship's railing. Gerd and Linlin stood firm on his left and right.
At six meters tall, Oro was considered short in Elbaf, but silhouetted against the sun, his figure seemed imposing as he looked down upon the crowd.
"Thank you all for coming to see us off! Thank you for your support all this time!"
Before he could finish,the giants roared their approval, the cheers echoing across Elbaf's shores.
"Today, we set sail! I swear the name of Elbaf will resound across the world once more!"
"OHHHH!!!"
'And this time, let's make sure the reputation is better than last time,' Oro thought silently, looking down at the excited crowd.
As the cheers swelled below, he conducted a final check via the countless gold filaments he had positioned throughout the ship. It was a sobering reality—he was currently the only sailor on this massive vessel. He foresaw his gold-manipulation skills growing exponentially out of sheer necessity.
With everything confirmed, he raised his voice, clear and strong over the din.
"Now!
"Golden Dawn!
"SET SAIL!"