One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 27: A Stroll, or Perhaps Something More – Jaya Island.

The bustling marketplace of Jaya was a chaotic tapestry of life and commerce. Merchants sat cross-legged on faded mats spread across the dusty ground, their goods displayed haphazardly before them—rusted trinkets, faded maps, old navigational tools, and mysterious objects that seemed like they belonged to forgotten eras. The more established shops loomed behind them, built from aged, splintering wood with crooked windows, their glass cracked or clouded with grime. Signs hung above these establishments, missing letters or tilted precariously, giving the impression that they had been through more than just years of neglect. The names, half-decipherable, told a story of perseverance rather than prosperity.

The crowd was alive with movement, voices rising in bartering and laughter. Pirates, merchants, and adventurers wove through the maze of goods, their boots kicking up dust. The smell of salt, sweat, and exotic spices filled the air, mingling with the occasional waft of something unidentifiable but pungent.

Among this chaos walked a cloaked figure. Beneath the hood, his youthful face was mostly hidden, though stray locks of blond hair peeked out. The rough, brown fabric of his cloak concealed his white shirt with rolled sleeves, his green trousers, and the black blade of Lostvayne strapped to his back. His emerald eyes scanned the market, though they were mostly obscured by the hood, giving him a limited view. He walked with an unhurried confidence, hands buried in his pockets.

Just behind him, on his left, followed a striking young woman. Elizabeth's sky-blue eyes darted nervously around, her long, silver hair shimmering under the sun. She wore a flowing blue dress that reached her ankles, its fabric delicate and drawing attention from many passing pirates. Some stared with a curiosity that bordered on menace, while others let their gazes linger a moment too long.

"Meliodas," Elizabeth muttered, her voice tinged with discomfort. "The way they're looking at me… it's unsettling."

Meliodas tilted his head slightly but didn't stop walking. "You think it's bad for you? Try walking around in this thing. It's like breathing through a wet sock," he quipped, tugging at his hood irritably.

Elizabeth sighed, a small smile tugging at her lips despite her anxiety. "We don't have a choice. Everyone knows your face. We can't afford unnecessary trouble."

She continued speaking, but when she turned to glance at him, she realized he was no longer by her side. Her heart jumped as she whipped her head around, searching the crowd. "Meliodas?" she called softly, her eyes scanning the throng.

Then she spotted him. He stood in front of a street vendor, holding a compass in one hand and a small book in the other. The vendor was a wiry man with a thin mustache and sharp eyes, wearing a vest that looked two sizes too large. The man gestured animatedly as he named his price.

Elizabeth hurried over, exhaling sharply in relief. She arrived just as the vendor declared, "That'll be 500 Berries for the compass and 300 for the book."

Elizabeth reached for her purse, but Meliodas raised a hand. "Wait. You think I'm letting this end without haggling?" he said, grinning.

Elizabeth blinked, surprised. Haggling? she thought. Is he good at this too? She watched as a bead of sweat slid down the vendor's temple, his expression stiffening under Meliodas's unyielding gaze.

Five minutes later, Elizabeth walked beside Meliodas, her shoulders slumped and a sour expression on her face. A white handbag hung from her shoulder, containing their purchases.

"I don't understand how you ended up paying 3,000 Berries," she grumbled.

Meliodas chuckled, his tone unapologetic. "I didn't say I was good at negotiating. I just said I wasn't going to let it end without trying."

Elizabeth sighed, then glanced at him with a teasing smile. "Well, I guess you're not perfect after all. It's nice to know there's something you're not amazing at."

As she spoke, she realized he had vanished again. She froze in place, her frustration bubbling. "Not again…" she muttered, spinning around.

"Elizabeth!" his voice called from behind her. She turned to see him holding a massive steel axe, its blade gleaming ominously in the sunlight. "Here, take this. It'll help you in battle."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. "How am I supposed to carry that?!" she exclaimed.

Meliodas studied the weapon thoughtfully before shrugging. Without warning, he hurled it back toward the vendor, who barely ducked in time to avoid being decapitated. "You're right. Let's move on."

Elizabeth followed as he resumed walking, muttering under her breath about his antics. "Where are we going now?" she asked.

"I'm looking for information about the giant girl who named Diane," Meliodas replied. "Got a feeling she's here—or at least someone knows where she is."

Elizabeth frowned. "Why are you looking for her?"

"Just a hunch," he said cryptically. "Besides, I've got a giant friend who's searching for her too."

The merchants and pirates watched the cloaked boy from a distance, whispering among themselves. "Who is that guy?" one murmured. "He's dangerous—and an idiot."

"Yeah, but he's hiding his face. Must be someone important," another replied.

The pair eventually reached a modest café. Its wooden doors creaked as Meliodas pushed them open, revealing a dimly lit space packed with pirates. The air was thick with tension as dozens of eyes turned toward them, some filled with malice, others with curiosity.

Elizabeth instinctively stepped closer to Meliodas, her anxiety spiking. He, however, walked calmly toward the bar and sat down. Elizabeth followed hesitantly, taking a seat beside him.

"This place feels… dangerous," she whispered, glancing nervously at the patrons.

Meliodas said nothing, his posture relaxed.

From a nearby table, a girl's voice rang out. "Luffy! Focus! We didn't come here just to eat!"

Elizabeth's gaze shifted toward the sound. At a table sat a peculiar trio. A young man with a straw hat and a carefree grin was shoveling food into his mouth. Beside him, a serious-looking girl with short orange hair was studying a map, while a green-haired swordsman leaned back, arms crossed, three swords strapped to his side.

At the center of the café sat a rotund man with a greasy white shirt and three pistols at his waist. His unruly black hair bobbed as he devoured an alarming number of pies, crumbs flying everywhere.

As Elizabeth observed them, the bartender leaned toward Meliodas. "What can I get for a cloaked customer like you?" he asked, his voice skeptical.

"I'm looking for a giant named Diane," Meliodas said plainly. "Got any leads?"

The bartender raised an eyebrow. "Can't say I know anything. Giants don't fit in a place like this."

Before more could be said, a loud, foolish voice interrupted. "It's my turn to ask a question!" the straw-hatted boy declared, waving his hand enthusiastically. "Where's Sky Island?"

The room went silent for a beat before erupting in laughter. Pirates doubled over, clutching their sides. Among them, a tall man with short, dirty blond hair stood, his black eyes gleaming with mockery. He walked toward Luffy with deliberate, heavy steps.

The laughter grew louder as the tension in the café thickened.

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[ A/N ]

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~ More Chapters ;

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❗Next three chapters❗

- Chapter 28: Dreams.

- Chapter 29: Ally or Enemy?

- Chapter 30: A Bounty of 1.9 Billion Berries!