One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 33: The Breaking Dawn

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The first light of dawn painted the sky in hues of amber and rose, the soft waves of the ocean shimmering like liquid gold beneath the rising sun. A quiet calm lingered over the sea, broken only by the gentle creak of the ship's wooden hull as it rocked in rhythm with the waves.

On the deck of the Dragon's Sin, the sunlight stretched over the worn planks, creeping up to where Elizabeth lay slumped beside the ship's wheel. She was sprawled over a collection of maps and scattered notes, an open book resting precariously by her hand. Strands of her silver hair glimmered like molten moonlight as the soft rays caressed her sleeping figure. Her breathing was steady, but her exhaustion was palpable—her light blue dress, slightly crumpled, and her white satchel, tossed carelessly beside her, told the story of a long night spent guiding the ship alone.

The sea breeze whispered through the air, tugging at loose pages and brushing against Elizabeth's cheek, rousing her only slightly. Her position on the deck—her head resting against her folded arms, one leg curled beneath her—seemed almost childlike. Yet her surroundings told a different story: the resolute ship's wheel beside her and the scattered tools of navigation bore witness to her unwavering determination.

Suddenly, the stillness shattered.

A thunderous roar erupted across the ocean, followed by the telltale whistle of incoming cannon fire. Explosions rocked the sea as cannonballs splashed into the water near the ship. Columns of seawater erupted into the air, glistening in the morning light as the ocean trembled with the violence of impact. The Dragon's Sin lurched, its timbers groaning in protest, the sudden movement sending ripples across the maps beneath Elizabeth.

Drops of saltwater splattered her face, drawing her from her slumber. Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing wide, crystal-blue eyes that mirrored the ocean's depths. She blinked, trying to piece together her surroundings. Another explosion sounded nearby, and Elizabeth turned her head to see a cannonball arcing through the golden sky, its trajectory illuminated by the rising sun.

Her heart sank. The cannonball slammed into the water, and the resulting spray drenched her face and the maps she had so carefully studied the night before. She sat up abruptly, her damp silver hair clinging to her cheeks as she tried to comprehend the chaos.

Elizabeth scrambled to her feet, her bare hands clutching the ship's wooden railing for support. She leaned over, her eyes widening in shock. An armada of Marine warships, their white sails emblazoned with the unmistakable emblem of the World Government, loomed on the horizon like a wall of death.

The ships stretched as far as her eyes could see—dozens of vessels, each bristling with cannons and swarming with Marines. Soldiers hurried across their decks, barking orders, adjusting sails, and readying weapons. From her vantage point, she could see the glint of sunlight reflecting off polished rifles and the sharp points of bayonets.

Elizabeth's breath caught in her throat. Her lips trembled as she whispered, "This… this is impossible. Why… Why are there so many? Why are they all after us?"

Far ahead, aboard the flagship of the fleet, the legendary Vice Admiral Garp stood on the deck, exuding a casual, yet commanding presence. He wore his signature dog-head cap, the long white Marine coat draped over his broad shoulders like a cape. Beneath it, his traditional navy-blue uniform was perfectly tailored to his towering frame. Garp grinned as he watched the chaos unfold before him, the excitement of the hunt lighting his face.

"Koby!" Garp called, his voice booming over the deck. "Hey, boy! Bring me a cannonball."

Near the cannons, a young Marine with pink hair froze at the command. Koby, wearing the Marine uniform that seemed just slightly too big for his lanky frame, adjusted his glasses nervously. "Y-Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!" he stammered, quickly reaching for one of the heavy, iron cannonballs. His hands shook slightly as he struggled to lift it, the weight almost overwhelming him.

As Koby approached, Garp chuckled. "You've got to put more strength into it, boy! Or are you hoping to scare the enemy with that nervous face of yours?"

In the background, Admiral Aokiji, reclining lazily on a makeshift sunbed, stirred at the sound of Garp's laughter. His lean frame was partially covered by his Marine coat, and a blue sleep mask rested on his forehead. The sunlight warmed his perpetually cold skin, and his usually tired expression carried a faint hint of annoyance as he yawned and stretched.

"Old man…" Aokiji muttered, running a hand through his unkempt black hair. He adjusted the sleep mask, pushing it higher onto his forehead, and cracked one eye open. His sharp, icy-black gaze locked on Garp. "Do you really have to be this loud so early in the morning?"

Garp grinned at the comment but didn't reply. Instead, he plucked the cannonball from Koby's hands with ease, holding it aloft in his right hand as if it weighed nothing.

"See that ship over there?" Garp said, gesturing toward the Dragon's Sin, now a mere speck in the distance. "That's the one. Let's give them a little wake-up call."

Aokiji leaned forward slightly, the casual indifference on his face replaced by mild curiosity. He adjusted his position, resting his chin on his hand as he observed the events unfolding. "Hey, Garp-san," he said lazily, his voice carrying a cold undertone. "You do realize that girl is aboard that ship, right? Or are you planning to blow her to bits along with the rest of them?"

Garp's grin widened. He squinted at the small, distant figure of Elizabeth, standing at the ship's railing, her silver hair catching the light. "She's tougher than she looks," Garp said confidently. "Besides…" His eyes glinted with a mischievous spark. "That brat on board isn't the type to die from something as small as this!"

With a mighty swing of his arm, Garp hurled the cannonball with unimaginable force. The projectile cut through the air, creating a visible shockwave that rippled across the ocean's surface. The water beneath the cannonball parted violently, leaving a narrow path of disturbed waves in its wake.

Elizabeth froze in horror as she watched the cannonball hurtling toward them. Her mind raced, the thoughts spiraling into a frantic panic. I can't dodge this. The ship's too slow, and there's no time to wake him up! What do I do? What can I do?!

Her blue eyes trembled, filled with a growing sense of helplessness. Time seemed to slow, every heartbeat echoing like a drum in her chest. And then, in a single moment, the air shifted.

A black boot slammed onto the ship's railing beside her hand, startling her. The sudden presence sent a gust of wind cascading past her, causing her silver hair and blue dress to flutter wildly. Her eyes widened as she caught sight of a figure moving with blinding speed, his silhouette framed against the rising sun.

It was Meliodas.

His blond hair caught the morning light, shining like spun gold as he leapt from the railing. His white shirt, slightly unbuttoned, and green trousers gave him an almost carefree appearance, but the intensity in his green eyes was anything but.

In a single, fluid motion, Meliodas unsheathed the Lostvayne, the blade catching the sunlight as it glinted with deadly precision. He turned mid-air, raising the sword above his head, and called out, his voice resonating with power:

"Full Counter!"

The blade connected with the incoming cannonball, sending it hurtling back toward the Marine fleet with twice the force. The resulting shockwave rattled the Dragon's Sin, nearly knocking Elizabeth off her feet. She clung to the railing, her eyes wide in awe as she watched the cannonball soar back toward its origin.

On the Marine flagship, the weaker soldiers stared in horror, their faces pale as the cannonball streaked toward them like a meteor. Some shouted in panic, while others dove for cover. Koby's glasses nearly slipped off his nose as he gawked, frozen in place.

Aokiji's icy-black eyes widened ever so slightly, betraying his surprise. "Well, that's interesting…" he murmured, his voice tinged with amusement.

Garp, however, remained unfazed. As the cannonball neared, he raised his left hand, now coated in Armament Haki, and swatted it away with a backhanded strike. The iron sphere distorted under the force of his blow, flying off-course and crashing into the sea with a deafening explosion. A column of water erupted into the sky, raining down in droplets like a sudden storm.

Back aboard the Dragon's Sin, Meliodas landed gracefully on the railing, his sword gleaming in the sunlight. He stood tall, his figure radiating confidence and power as he turned to face the approaching fleet.

Elizabeth stared at him, her heart still pounding from the close call. For a moment, the terror that had gripped her melted away, replaced by a sense of relief and admiration.

Garp, watching from afar, grinned as he stepped to the edge of the flagship. "So," he called out, his voice carrying across the waves. "We meet at last, boy!"

Meliodas smirked, lowering his blade slightly but keeping his gaze locked on Garp. "Yeah," he replied, his voice calm but charged with energy. "Let's see if you can keep up."

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[ A/N ]

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~ More Chapters ;

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❗Next three chapters❗

- Chapter 34; Clash at Dawn

- Chapter 35: The Frozen Chase

- Chapter 36: The Frosted Path