On the third day of the voyage from Shell Island to Sorbet, Pablo stood on the ship's deck training.
The sun was bright, the sea calm. He wore only black pants, no shirt. His muscles bulged under the sunlight, sweat pouring down his chest and back. He was punching a training bag hanging from the mast. Each punch made a loud sound. Each kick sent the bag swinging violently.
Jinny sat on a nearby chair, watching him. She wore simple clothes this ti. She didn't want to cause any excitent now. She was just looking at his body, his muscles, his focus.
She was not alone. So sailors were also looking at him. They saw his toned body, his sculpted muscles, his superhuman strength. They whispered to each other. They envied him.
Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi in Pablo's nearby bag rang.
Pablo stopped training. He breathed deeply. He wiped the sweat from his forehead with his arm. He walked toward the bag. He took out the device.
"Pablo." he said in a calm voice.
Darin's voice was clear, excited.
"Sir, I have news."
"Speak."
"First Port Island is completely under our control. Ronan surrendered without a fight. His soldiers are under our command. The port is operating normally. I have begun organizing things."
Pablo smiled. "Good work."
"With this, we now have six of the seven islands under our control. And eight of the nine islands in this sea region."
Pablo calculated in his head. Sorbet, Naraka, First Port, Skull, Coral, Shell, Breeze, Last Port. Eight islands. And Shadow remained.
"Continue organizing the island. I will send you my instructions later."
"I will."
Pablo hung up. He put the device aside. He looked at the sea. The ship was still sailing slowly toward Sorbet.
Jinny stood up. She walked to him. She placed her hand on his shoulder.
"Eight islands." she said.
"Eight." he replied.
"And Shadow remains."
"Yes."
He was silent for a mont. Then he said:
"I haven't heard from Marco in days. That worries ."
She looked at him. "Will you call him?"
---
Two Days Later - Pablo Arrives in Sorbet
The ship entered Sorbet's port in the evening. The sun was setting, the sky golden.
He entered the palace. He went to his room. He showered. He put on clean clothes. Then he sat on his bed.
He looked at the Den Den Mushi on the table and picked it up.
He called Marco.
The device rang once. Twice. Three tis.
Then Marco picked up. His voice was tired, but sharp as usual.
"Pablo."
"Marco. Where are you?"
"I am still on Shadow Island."
"The news?"
Marco was silent for a mont. Then he said:
"The island is under our control. We killed most of the gang mbers. We took control of the port. We took control of the palace. We took control of everything."
"And Kuro?"
A longer silence.
"Kuro escaped."
Pablo was silent for a mont. He showed no anger. No annoyance. He just asked:
"How?"
"I don't know. He tried to resist at first, but then he suddenly withdrew. I thought he was trying to reorganize himself and his n. But he disappeared."
Pablo was silent for another mont.
"It doesn't matter."
Marco paused. "It doesn't matter?"
"It doesn't matter. The island is under our control. That was the main mission. Kuro is nothing. If he returns, we will kill him. If he doesn't return, no loss."
Marco was silent. Then he said:
"Understood."
"Stay there. Organize the island. Appoint new guards. Reopen the port. Restore trade. I will send you my instructions later."
"How long will I stay?"
"Until things stabilize. It might take weeks."
"Alright."
Pablo hung up. He put the device on the table. He looked at the ceiling.
Jinny entered the room. She looked at him.
"Kuro escaped?"
"Yes."
"Aren't you angry?"
"No. The island is more important than one man. Kuro may return soday. Or he may not. It doesn't matter."
User Comments
0 comments from readers