The little girl glared fiercely at Yuri, her eyes full of defiance. This was a classic example of a fearless newbie not afraid of the big bad—perfectly fitting the moment.
By the time the old man realized what had happened, it was already too late. The little girl's words had already been spoken.
The moment she spoke, the crowd's faces instantly paled. The sound of people swallowing nervously filled the air, like a symphony of unease.
"Ha ha!" Yuri couldn't help but laugh loudly at her words, though his eyes were now filled with a murderous glint. He looked every bit as fearsome as a wild tiger ready to pounce.
At the harbor…
A secluded corner no one was paying attention to.
Shirayama, rowing his small boat, had also docked there. His fresh water supply had run out, and he was looking to replenish it.
He hadn't taken the same route as the Toukai Mountain Pirates, who had gone in the opposite direction—north and south. So, he hadn't noticed their massive fleet.
If he had, he might have been quite intrigued.
"Damn it, lucky I'm in good shape. After drifting out on the sea for so long, I've finally found an island where I can restock on supplies!"
He anchored his battered little boat to a post at the harbor, then hopped off and set foot on the island.
But something strange caught his attention. This island, which clearly seemed inhabited, was eerily deserted. He walked through the island but found not a soul in sight.
"There should be people here! The old man said this place was a thriving little town, so why is it so empty?" Shirayama scratched his head in confusion.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, a sharp scream pierced the silence. Shirayama turned sharply and saw a young woman running toward him, her clothes torn and her face filled with fear.
Behind her, a scruffy beggar with a creepy smile was chasing her, a large sword hanging from his waist. A murderous aura wafted toward Shirayama's nostrils.
"Looks like we've got a fighter here," Shirayama muttered to himself, narrowing his eyes.
The murderous aura around the man suggested he had killed before, and judging by his stable stance, he wasn't someone to be underestimated.
"Big Brother, save me!"
When the girl saw Shirayama, it was like finding a lifeline in the middle of a storm. She sped up her pace, joyfully calling out to him.
"Uh!"
Before Shirayama could react, he suddenly felt the soft weight of the girl pressed against him. Her scent filled his senses, making him swallow nervously.
"Save me!"
The girl was crying, her eyes wide with terror, clinging to Shirayama like a frightened little deer, as if he were her only source of safety.
"Kid, I suggest you stay out of this. Leave now while you still can. It's not worth losing your life over a little girl!"
The burly man stopped about ten meters away, his voice laced with menace, eyeing Shirayamar's pistols and sensing his strong aura with a bit of wariness.
"No, Big Brother, please save me!"
At the man's words, the girl trembled like a scared rabbit and instinctively moved closer to Shirayama, clutching him even tighter.
For a moment, both Shirayama and the girl felt a strange electricity pass between them. The sensation made their breathing quicken, and their faces flushed slightly with the warmth of the moment.