In order to predict the time and location of the next Knock-Up Stream, Takumi needed to first find out where in the waters near Jaya Island the Emperor Cloud had appeared.
And there was no better place to gather information than a tavern.
With that thought, Takumi turned around and headed back to his small boat.
Seeing that Takumi seemed ready to leave, Cricket asked, "Hey, kid, are you leaving now? Going home, or off to gather information?"
"Gather information," Takumi replied calmly.
Cricket was taken aback. "I was just making a suggestion, but you didn't even hesitate or ask any questions before believing me?"
"Yeah," Takumi said simply, not bothering to explain further as he steered his boat around Jaya Island, heading for Mock Town.
Cricket watched him sail away, feeling a mix of emotions.
Since he could remember, no one had ever truly believed him—except for his own family—because he was the descendant of Norland the Liar.
What he had told Takumi earlier, about someone who always believed in the existence of Sky Island, referred to his ancestor Montblanc Norland.
Norland, who lived 400 years ago, was the Admiral of the expedition team and a botanist from the North Blue's Lvneel Kingdom. During one of his adventures, he arrived on Jaya Island, where he saved the Shandian people from the deadly "Tree Fever" and ended their tradition of human sacrifices. He also befriended the great warrior Kalgara.
Despite Norland saving the Shandians, his actions were misunderstood when he cut down their sacred trees, leading to his expulsion from the island. By the time the Shandians realized the truth behind Norland's actions, they were too late to give him a proper farewell.
Later, in Sea Calendar 1127, Norland returned to Jaya Island under orders from the king to search for the City of Gold.
However, by the time he arrived, the island had already been blown into the sky by a Knock-Up Stream. Unable to find the City of Gold, Norland was accused of lying to the king and was executed for his crime. Before his death, he made a cryptic statement about seeing gold in the "right eye of the skull," but no one believed him. The "skull" referred to the original shape of Jaya Island.
From then on, Norland the Liar became a well-known figure in North Blue folklore. In these tales, Norland was portrayed as a foolish liar who insisted on the existence of the City of Gold, even up until his execution. But in reality, he was more honest than anyone else.
Because of this story, Cricket's childhood was a nightmare. Everyone who knew he was Norland's descendant—especially those from the North Blue—mocked and scorned him, even when he was just a child.
Though Cricket later became a pirate and formed his own crew, his crewmates eventually left him too.
As a result, he had spent the past several years alone, constantly diving into the ocean in search of the City of Gold that Norland had spoken of.
Even if he didn't fully believe it himself, Cricket was determined to prove that the City of Gold existed and to break the "curse" on the Montblanc family.
He had long accepted that no one would believe or support him in this endeavor. He was ready to fight alone for the rest of his life.
But now, this kid who wanted to go to Sky Island had believed him without hesitation. Without even a hint of doubt, the kid had taken his word seriously?
At first, Cricket thought Takumi was simply too young and naive, too trusting of others. But when he had looked into Takumi's eyes, he had discarded that idea.
Cricket realized that Takumi was completely serious—there was no trace of mockery in him.
And while Cricket wasn't an expert on swords, the aura surrounding the blade Takumi carried gave him a deep sense of unease.
A child who could handle a sword like that was certainly no ordinary kid.
Takumi steered his small boat around Jaya Island for about half an hour, eventually reaching the long stretch of wooden planks that connected Mock Town to the rest of the island.
Mock Town was built entirely on these large planks.
After securing his boat, Takumi jumped onto the planks and calmly walked into Mock Town.
The people who came to Mock Town were mostly pirates.
As a result, there were no rules here. Fights and even murders on the streets were seen as normal occurrences.
As Takumi walked through the town, his presence quickly caught the attention of several wandering pirates.
"Look at that! A little brat's wandering into a town full of pirates. He must have some guts, haha."
"Hey, kid, which pirate crew are you with? No way you came here alone, right?"
"Maybe he washed up here after a shipwreck, haha. Look, he's even carrying two swords. Maybe he's a skilled swordsman!"
"A swordsman? That brat? I could pin him to the ground with just one finger."
"Haha, big talk! Why don't you show us? Let's see you pin him down with one finger."
"Fine! Just watch!" one of the pirates said, taking a swig from his bottle before smashing it on the ground and approaching Takumi with a smug grin.
"Hey, kid, kneel and beg for mercy, and maybe I'll let you live," the pirate sneered.
The other pirates around them stifled their laughter, eager to see what would happen next.
Takumi ignored him and kept walking.
"Hey, kid! Are you deaf, or just pretending not to hear me?" the pirate growled, quickening his pace as he reached out to grab Takumi's head.
But just as his hand was about to make contact, Takumi effortlessly dodged it, his movements swift and fluid.
"What the—?" The pirate froze in confusion.
The other pirates burst into laughter.
"Haha! Can't even handle a kid, huh? Guess all that talk was just hot air!"
"Look, the kid didn't even acknowledge you. Clearly, he thinks you're beneath him!"
"Jerry, if you can't handle this, step aside. I'll show you how it's done!"
"Shut up, all of you!" Jerry snapped. "It's just a kid! Watch, I'll deal with him right now!"
Furious, Jerry drew a large machete from his waist and swung it at Takumi without hesitation.
But no matter how hard Jerry tried, he couldn't land a single hit. It was as if Takumi had eyes in the back of his head, effortlessly dodging every attack.
"Damn it! I don't believe this!" Jerry, now enraged, pulled a grenade from his pocket and prepared to throw it at Takumi.
But before he could act, Takumi glanced back at him, releasing a wave of intense pressure that paralyzed Jerry where he stood, cold sweat pouring down his face.
Takumi turned away, continuing his walk through the town.
Moments later, there was a deafening explosion.
Jerry's grenade had detonated in his hand, leaving nothing but chaos in its wake.
******
Support me on Ko-fi at ko-fi.com/gered to read up to Chapter 132