One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 28: Dreams

The Rusty Anchor Tavern pulsed with life, a chaotic symphony of voices weaving through the air. The dim lantern light flickered across wooden beams overhead, casting jagged shadows on the cracked walls. The scent of salt and damp wood mingled with the tang of rum and the faint metallic bite of steel. The pirates filling the space were a patchwork of scars, wild grins, and restless energy. Each one carried an aura of menace, their presence a vivid testament to lives lived on the edge of peril.

Elizabeth sat at the far end of a broad communal table, her fingers clenched tightly in her lap. Her pale skin glowed faintly under the weak light, and her delicate frame made her seem as though she didn't belong in such a place. Yet her wide blue eyes scanned the room, a mix of apprehension and curiosity painting her features.

At the table's center, Luffy leaned forward, his straw hat tilting at an angle as his carefree grin remained unshaken. His voice cut through the din as he posed a simple, yet provocative, question to the tavern's burly owner.

"Hey, do you know anything about Sky Island?"

The room froze for a heartbeat. Then, like the breaking of a dam, laughter erupted, loud and mocking. It echoed off the wooden walls, shaking the rafters and filling the space with raucous derision. Elizabeth flinched as pirates slapped their knees and banged their tankards, their amusement rolling over her like a tide.

"Sky Island?" a voice sneered amidst the uproar. The source soon revealed himself—a towering figure pushing his way toward Luffy's table with an air of arrogant dominance.

He was tall and broad-shouldered, his slicked-back blonde hair gleaming under the lantern light. His sharp features twisted into a grin that radiated mockery. Draped in a wide blue coat trimmed with gold, the man's dagger glinted at his hip. The pirates hushed slightly as he approached, their collective anticipation thick in the air.

The man stopped before Luffy, his sneer deepening as he reached out and tilted the straw hat on Luffy's head mockingly. Without warning, he slammed Luffy's head against the table with enough force to crack the thick wood.

Elizabeth gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. The sight of Luffy, his head pressed into the shattered table, sent a chill through her. Blood trickled from a cut on his temple, staining the wood beneath him.

Bellamy—the infamous pirate known across these waters—straightened with a laugh. His blue coat flared as he spread his arms, inviting the room to share in his amusement.

"Sky Island? Dreams?" Bellamy sneered. "What's next? Fairy tales about elves and mermaids?"

"Enough."

The cold, sharp voice belonged to Zoro. He had moved without sound, his hand on his sword's hilt, the blade's edge now hovering a hair's breadth from Bellamy's neck. The single, steely eye beneath his green bandana locked onto the taller man with unyielding focus.

Bellamy turned his head slowly, meeting Zoro's glare. His grin didn't falter. "Oh? So there's some boldness inside you." His voice dropped, filled with challenge. "Go on, then. Do it."

"Zoro," Luffy's voice came low but firm, breaking the tension. "Stand down. We're not fighting."

Zoro's hand hesitated on the hilt before releasing it, his expression unreadable. Elizabeth felt a flicker of unease as she glanced at Meliodas, seated beside her. His green eyes shone beneath the hood of his cloak, and for a moment, she thought she saw a shift in his gaze. Was it irritation? Or something else entirely? She couldn't tell.

Bellamy barked a laugh, throwing his head back as he gestured to the crowd. "See? They're nothing but cowards!" The pirates erupted into jeers and cheers, their scornful laughter filling the room again.

Then chaos broke loose.

Bellamy's men surged forward, fists flying as they descended on Luffy and Zoro. The pair didn't fight back, enduring the onslaught without a word. Elizabeth's heart raced as she watched the madness unfold. Chairs splintered, tables toppled, and the air filled with the din of violence and jeers.

When it was over, Bellamy stood triumphant over Luffy and Zoro, who lay bloodied on the floor. He spat disdainfully. "Pathetic. Take your useless friends and get out of here, woman."

Nami, her orange hair disheveled, stormed forward. Her brown eyes brimmed with fury and a hint of unshed tears as she grabbed Luffy and Zoro by the collars, dragging them toward the door.

The pirates sneered at her as she passed, their taunts biting. "Why don't you ditch those losers and stick with real men like us?" one jeered.

Nami's face burned with frustration, her jaw tight as she pulled Luffy and Zoro through the ornate wooden door, its carvings illuminated by the flickering lantern light.

Once outside, she dropped them unceremoniously on the ground. "What is wrong with you two?" she snapped, her voice trembling with anger. "Why didn't you fight back?"

Before either could answer, a voice interrupted from nearby.

"You don't need to look so down, miss."

Nami turned sharply to see a man lounging on the ground, a half-eaten pie on a plate beside him. His ragged clothes and unkempt hair gave him the appearance of a vagrant, and his grin was crooked, his teeth worn and uneven. Moonlight touched his face, illuminating his sharp features.

The man laughed, crumbs spilling as he spoke. "Your friends didn't lose. In fact, they won." His grin widened as murmurs rippled through the onlookers.

"Dreams?" he continued, his voice rising. "The era when dreams die is over?! Haha!! People's dreams… Have no end! Am I right?!"

Nami's brown eyes were shaking as she looked at him, while Zoro and Luffy watched him with emotionless expressions and silent eyes.

At the same moment, the tavern door exploded open behind them. Bellamy hurtled through the air, crashing into the ground in a bloodied heap.

The doorway framed a figure, his golden hair catching the light as his emerald eyes gleamed with unspoken challenge. The brown cloak around his shoulders swayed as he stepped forward.

"Meliodas!?" Elizabeth called out, stepping closer. The light from the broken door spilled across the ground, illuminating the scene.

Meliodas didn't seem to care that his hood had fallen, revealing his identity. His grin was playful yet edged with menace. "Sate, sate, sate… Where's that arrogance now?" He tilted his head, his voice light but laced with menace. "I just wanted some information about a giant girl. This would not have happened to you if you had answered me calmly and without boasting."

The eyes of the pirates inside the café whose door had been smashed were stunned and even the waiter, they all looked out the door, unable to believe that Bellamy had gone down with one hit.

In the corner, the pie-eating man—Marshall D. Teach—chuckled, his grin widening. His worn teeth showed as he muttered, "Well, well. What an unexpected reunion." His gaze lingered on Meliodas, recognition glinting in his dark eyes.

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[ A/N ]

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~ More Chapters ;

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❗Next three chapters❗

- Chapter 29: Ally or Enemy?

- Chapter 30: A Bounty of 1.9 Billion Berries!

- Chapter 31: The Looming Shadow.