OPTC Chapter 177: The Amber Sets Sail, Sort Of
Inside Shakky's bar.
"By the way, I never asked your name. Where are you from?"
"My name is Esmeralda," the dancer said carefully. "I was originally from the Kingdom of Cokia in the East Blue."
"Cokia?" Shakky thought for a moment. "I remember that a few months ago the Kingdom of Cokia was attacked. That was Germa, wasn't it?"
"I don't know who it was that invaded the kingdom. But many people like me were taken away in the chaos. I don't even know how they're doing now." As she mentioned the fall of her homeland and those who had shared her fate, Esmeralda's face dimmed with sorrow.
"The situation there can't be good now. Do you still want to return?" Shakky reminded her that Cokia was not a World Government member nation. Even when Germa brazenly used its giant snails to cross the Red Line and crush the kingdom, no one intervened.
A fallen kingdom was likely drowning in chaos—invaded by neighbors, harassed by pirates, ravaged by infighting. Ordinary people there would be suffering.
"Yes. My family is still there. If I don't go back…" Esmeralda bowed to both Rayleigh and Shakky. "In any case, thank you both for saving me. From here on, I'll find my own way home. But before I leave, if there's anything you need, I'll do my best to help."
She didn't want to trouble her saviors further. But if she could repay even a little of the kindness shown, she would feel better leaving.
"That won't be necessary…" Rayleigh and Shakky exchanged a look. Neither of them were saints, but it was hard to turn their backs on such a kind-hearted girl.
Normally, they ignored the daily slave trade around the lawless zone. But when it landed right in front of them like this, to do nothing left a bitter taste.
"That little rascal really does bring trouble to people." Rayleigh muttered under his breath, then smiled. "Actually, I've been meaning to head to the East Blue to see an old friend. If you don't mind, why not come along?"
"Eh? But…" Esmeralda wanted to refuse politely, but he hadn't said outright it was to take her home.
"No buts. This old body will be relying on your care along the way."
"Yes!" Twice now she had nearly fallen into despair, and twice she had been saved. Esmeralda covered her mouth as tears flowed uncontrollably. "Thank you… thank you…"
"Crying doesn't suit you." Rayleigh chuckled. He was already thinking: once in the East Blue, should he visit that child Shanks mentioned… and should he interfere in the fate of another?
"First, eat something and rest." Shakky pulled her down into a seat and set out food.
…
Meanwhile, aboard the Amber, not far from Sabaody.
A pure white flag flapped proudly from the mast, painted with a smiling cat's head that matched the Tom carving at the bow.
Across the foremost sail, in an arch, was painted the ship's name: HOPE·DIAMOND. Beneath it were sketches of all the crew members. The artist was obvious—Tom, of course.
Any onlooker would instantly feel this was a joyous ship.
But the supposed captain, Zhang Da Ye Da Ye, wore a troubled look. "It just feels like something's missing from our departure."
They had left Sabaody's waters. The wind was steady, the sails trimmed, and the rudder didn't need constant attention. Most of the crew were gathered together, with only Rui Meng Meng stationed in the lookout.
Calling it a "lookout post" undersold it—it was more like a little cabin tied to the mast, fitted with glass windows against wind, rain, and hail without blocking the view. Inside were chairs, a telescope, even books and workout gear to fight boredom.
Of course, reading on duty wasn't the best idea. Right now Rui Meng Meng was happily scanning the sea with her telescope.
Shark Chili leaned against the rail, studying the currents to confirm the knowledge he'd learned, glancing at the compass now and then to check their course. Hearing Zhang Da Ye's words, he asked, "We've prepared everything already. What's missing?"
"The atmosphere," Zhang Da Ye said. "Like, I shout 'Our goal is Water Seven—raise the sails, set out!' and you all roar back 'Ohhh!!!' or something."
He remembered how the Straw Hats smashed barrels and declared their dreams before entering the Grand Line. Maybe they should do something like that.
Shark Chili tried to follow Zhang Da Ye's line of thought. "Then why didn't you do it back at the shipyard?"
Zhang Da Ye rubbed his neck, embarrassed. "Too many people were around. If you guys didn't go along with it, I'd look like an idiot."
Artoria sipped her juice through a straw. "Shall we furl the sails and let you try again?"
It was troublesome, but this was supposed to be a vacation. She didn't mind humoring him.
"Forget it. Next time." Zhang Da Ye sighed. Rui Meng Meng was up in the mast, Tom was sprawled on a deck chair sunbathing, and Zhang Da Ye didn't want to bother either of them.
While the weather was calm, Zhang Da Ye went to the bow to admire the vast sea, then jogged to the stern to watch Sabaody shrinking behind them. A poet might have found the moment profound. Zhang Da Ye just wondered whether to fish or exercise next.
Soon, the gentle waves of Sabaody's climate zone were behind them. The sea grew rougher, winds shifting constantly.
Under Shark Chili's orders, they worked to adjust the rudder and sails.
Then Rui Meng Meng's voice came over the speaking tube: "Eleven o'clock—huge black clouds on the horizon!"
Zhang Da Ye squinted at the distant dark mass. "Don't tell me that's a storm. First day out and we're this unlucky?"
"It's not unusual. Storms are common in the Grand Line. One a day wouldn't be strange."
Right. For Zhang Da Ye and Tom to drift five days in calm seas had been the exception—either good luck, or they'd been too close to Sabaody's stable climate.
Shark Chili glanced from compass to horizon. "No way around it. We'll have to punch through. Hopefully it's only a storm."
After all, this was the Grand Line. The shipwrights had said it could just as well rain knives from the sky. If it was merely a storm, they were lucky.
"It's coming. Ready yourselves!" Shark Chili barked.
Artoria gripped the wheel at the bow. Rui Meng Meng slid down from the mast to stand with Zhang Da Ye. Even Tom straightened his back, chest puffed out.
——
(Back when I first mentioned Germa conquering that kingdom in the East Blue, I wonder if anyone remembered… If not, I guess my updates are just too slow. Sigh…)
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