"Squawk... squawk..." Overhead, seagulls circled, flapping their wings to escape. One clumsy one, in its panic, slammed right into the mast, fluttered twice, and fell onto the deck.
The voyage to Dolle Island was not always smooth sailing. It was common for large waves to push the ship, causing it to pitch up and down and sway left and right.
Some people, even if they weren't hunted, couldn't hold on any longer due to seasickness or inability to acclimate. They became targets for others to reap.
Once a number plate was taken, they were immediately out, forcibly stuffed into the ship's cabin. As time went on, this situation became more and more severe.
In the end, those still standing on the deck... were all familiar faces: Roy, Gotoh, Kurajing, Kite, and the bald ninja, Yusuke.
"It looks like this is the group for this year." Maxim, along with Gus, was patching up the "Neptune." His gaze lingered on Roy for a few seconds, full of resentment... but he didn't dare show it in the slightest.
The boy was too monstrous and too detestable... a veritable ship-killer. One slash left a gouge nearly ten meters long. It was a good thing the ship's hull was sturdy enough and the keel solid enough, otherwise, he really might have dismantled it.
However, now was hardly the time to complain... "She was right, the storm is coming!"
The old captain took a hard drag from his pipe, squinting at the sky not far away. Dark, oppressive clouds were gathering in a cluster. In just a moment, they completely blocked the sun, causing the entire sky to darken.
"Rumble—" Several bolts of lightning struck down, and a purple, fluorescent light sparked on the mast...
Kite's brow furrowed. He was standing too high and was nearly struck by the lightning. He hurriedly slid down the pole...
"That's St. Elmo's Fire! You're really daring!" Maxim glared at him, pipe in mouth. A solemn look appeared on his weathered, rough face. "Legend says that anyone who sees St. Elmo's Fire will ultimately become one who never returns."
"Kid, be glad your luck is good."
Kite pressed down the brim of his hat and said nothing. He glanced up at Roy and Gotoh. The master and servant, one sitting and one standing, showed no reaction.
Kurajing, yearning for the vastness of the world, often read books. She had occasionally seen this phenomenon in some popular science books and added an explanation, "It's not actually that mysterious. It's just a luminous phenomenon caused by static electrons in the air or electrified rain clouds affecting the electrons on the main mast."
"You certainly know a lot." Gotoh gave her a surprised look, a faint sense of crisis rising in his heart.
Kurajing smiled, thinking to herself that she could finally be of some use.
Maxim's shout was heard: "Gus, take the helm! Everyone else, follow me and grab the sail ropes!"
He immediately gathered the sailors, pulled the sails taut, and took the lead in turning the ship to face the storm!
"Whoosh—" The headwind grew stronger and stronger....
In the face of nature, the ships built by humans were undoubtedly minuscule!
"Rumble—" The massive waves, like angry beasts, relentlessly slammed into the "Neptune."
The "Neptune" sailed on the crests of the waves as if treading on thin ice, pitching up and down, swaying left and right, letting out mournful groans.
Those with severe seasickness... felt like they were about to heave up their own intestines...
The sound of "Blargh—" retching rose and fell. People on deck were like pinballs, bounced back and forth between the ship's sides.
The few who could still maintain their composure were only Roy, Gotoh, Kite, and the bald ninja, Yusuke. As for Kurajing, she had cleverly hugged the mast to avoid being "bounced" off, but her pale face was hard to hide. She kept her mouth tightly shut, trying hard not to throw up.
The difference between having "Nen" and not having it was on full display...
Gotoh's feet were like nails hammered into the deck, unmoving... Kite pressed down his hat brim and simply sat cross-legged on the deck. He reached out, caught an apple that flew by, and took a bite...
The bald ninja, Yusuke, even had the leisure to stand on a wooden barrel, rolling it while practicing a one-handed handstand... As for Roy...
The young man was like an old monk in deep meditation, sitting cross-legged on the bow, his cane-sword resting flat on his knees, pondering how to combine "Sun" and "Water"...
He treated the approaching storm as if it were nothing...
"Drip... drop..." Before long, the oppressive dark clouds finally drifted over the "Neptune"... Rain began to fall, growing in intensity, and in the blink of an eye, it became a torrential downpour, drenching everyone to the bone.
"Crack!" Another bolt of lightning struck down. Maxim craned his neck and yelled at the deck: "What are you all standing around for? Get into the cabin!"
Yusuke wiped his bald head, leaped off the rolling barrel, and sensibly walked over... Kite followed behind him, flicking the apple core he had finished into the sea....
The deck was now empty, with only Roy, Gotoh, and Kurajing remaining...
'I can't... I can't hold on any longer.' The moment the girl opened her mouth, she let out a dry heave. She looked weakly at Roy and said, "Young Master, I'll wait for you in the cabin."
Gotoh immediately shot her a glare, his pupils filled with killing intent!
"Mind your status..." the young butler's tone was dangerous.
Kurajing looked at Roy...
The boy ignored her, waving his hand at Gotoh to let her go... Kurajing, as if granted amnesty, stopped insisting and stumbled into the cabin.
"Boom-crack!" Another startling thunderclap exploded!
Gotoh said worriedly, "Young Master..."
Roy, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, opened them and looked up at the dark clouds, then paused... 'The dark clouds are pressing down on the city, threatening to crush it...' What was the next line?
'"The sunlight through them gleams on our golden armor...' Good... This is great..."
The boy suddenly stood up. In the midst of the pouring rain, inspiration struck. With a "clang," he drew his cane-sword!
He instructed Gotoh: "Don't worry about me."
He took a step, a "web-like" layer of Nen adhering to the soles of his feet. He activated "Water Walking" and trod upon the waves, rushing headlong into the storm without a backward glance!
'The waterfall was too childish. Only a storm, only this storm, can put pressure on me.'
'Be reborn in the pressure, or die in the pressure.' He suddenly remembered this phrase. He started with a "Water Surface Slash," dancing selflessly in the storm!
"Young Master!" Gotoh was dumbfounded. He just stood frozen at the bow, not knowing whether to advance or retreat, completely stunned.
His shout attracted the attention of Maxim, who was instructing the sailors to hold fast to the sails. Following his gaze, he saw the boy, like a floating duckweed, plunge into the storm...
"He's completely insane!"
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash... Second Form: Water Wheel... Third Form: Flowing Dance..."
The typhoon winds battered Roy's face, the force of the wind making it difficult for him to lift his arms. Visible to the naked eye, large tendons, like coiling dragons, bulged menacingly from under his skin... At this moment, the boy's face was ferocious. Two suns "puffed" into existence in his pupils. He grit his teeth and swung his sword. With every exhale, a scorching dragon of air shot from his nostrils!
T/N: Please have a look at my new novel (Minecraft: Transmutation Tablet & Group Chat)