Chapter 71: The Storm's Discovery
Smoke still clung to the crystalline battlefield, shards glittering like fallen stars in the dim forge light. The ground bore scars of battle — blood pooled in broken cracks, shattered crystal pillars leaned like gravestones.
Arthur lowered his blade, his chest heaving. Drakkon lay unconscious in a pool of blood, his serpent form already fading back to human.
The storm inside Arthur simmered, but he forced it down. The crew needs me steady. I can't let them see the rage burn too far.
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Not far away, Hiroshi spun his dual blades in a cyclone of steel. His breath came heavy, but his strikes never faltered. The last of Drakkon's lieutenants staggered before him.
The man lunged with a serrated dagger, snarling. Hiroshi parried with a clean deflection, then crossed both swords in an X-slash. Blood sprayed, and the enemy collapsed.
Hiroshi exhaled. Arthur's fighting like a demon… I have to keep up. We all do.
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Alex crouched on a fractured ledge above, his rifle aimed steady. His finger squeezed — a bullet laced with Haki tore through the arm of an enemy trying to ambush Surv.
"Careful, little sister," Alex called.
Surv smirked, spinning her twin daggers as she ducked under another pirate's swing. "I had him right where I wanted him." She pivoted and buried her blades into the man's side.
Lisa shouted from across the field, "Surv, cover left flank!"
Surv pulled her blades free, nodded. "On it!"
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Rio was pinned against a wall, three pirates pressing him back with blades and chains. His rifle wasn't built for close quarters.
Damn it, too close—
Rus appeared in a blur, his massive cooking cleaver intercepting the pirate's blade. "Don't crowd my sniper, you bastards!" With a swing, he cleaved through a weapon, sending the enemy screaming back.
"Focus, Rio!" Rus barked.
Rio, shaking off the stun, rammed his rifle barrel against the chest of another pirate and fired point-blank. The man crumpled instantly.
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Dr. Clover, blood spattered on his coat, dragged a wounded crewmate behind cover. He stitched furiously with trembling hands while muttering, "Hold still, you'll live, damn you!" His glasses fogged with sweat.
For once, the doctor's calm intellect cracked — his heart pounded like any soldier on the battlefield. These kids… they put their lives in my hands. I can't let one fall.
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And towering above them all, Brogy and Dorry roared with laughter as they swung their weapons. Each strike was an earthquake, flattening swathes of enemies.
"Hah! It feels good to fight again, brother!"
"Aye, but don't fall behind me, Brogy!"
Bodies flew like ragdolls, the Serpent Fang remnants broken beneath giant fury.
When Arthur strode forward, Sriyo resting at his side, silence fell. The last standing Serpent Fang pirate froze, eyes darting from his fallen captain to the storm-eyed swordsman.
Arthur's gaze, cold and resolute, was enough. The pirate dropped his blade and fell to his knees. One by one, the rest surrendered.
Lisa leaned against a pillar, panting. "It's… over."
Arthur looked at each of his crewmates — battered, bruised, bloodied, but alive. His chest swelled with pride. They're not just my crew. They're my storm.
At the heart of the forge stood a massive sealed chamber, once hidden beneath Drakkon's coils.
A pedestal rose, holding a crystalline chest carved with ancient sigils. Its surface pulsed faintly, as though alive.
Arthur approached slowly, each step echoing in the chamber. His hand hovered, then rested on the chest.
The sigils reacted, glowing brighter. The lid opened with a hiss.
Inside lay aged parchments, bound by golden clasps. Diagrams, notes in an ancient language, and a single metallic blueprint.
Arthur's eyes widened. His hands trembled as he lifted it.
"This is…"
Dr. Clover limped forward, eyes shining behind his cracked glasses. He gently touched the parchment, reverence in every motion.
"My god… this is a blueprint… for Uranus."
The crew fell silent.
Rus furrowed his brow. "Wait… Uranus? You mean… like the legends? The weapons that destroyed islands?"
Clover nodded slowly, his voice grave. "One of the three Ancient Weapons. And this… this is the design."
Arthur stared at the blueprint, his jaw tightening. He could almost feel the weight of history pressing down.
An entire world has been built on lies, control, and fear. And this… this weapon could unmake it all.
He closed the chest with finality. "This doesn't fall into anyone's hands. Not the World Government. Not the Marines. Not the Yonko. And not ours, until the time is right."
Lisa swallowed, her voice unsteady. "Arthur… if they find out we have this…"
Arthur's silver eyes burned. "Then we'll fight the whole damn world if we have to."
In Arthur's mind, the System flickered to life.
[Quest Completed: The Enigma of Shayia Island]
Reward Unlocked: Advanced Armament Haki Technique — "Silver Veil."
(Allows Arthur to layer Armament Haki into a defensive shell, reducing impact and redirecting force.)
Crew Reward: +15% to Combat Efficiency for Next 30 Days.
Arthur felt the power settle into his veins, but he kept the knowledge to himself. His crew didn't need systems — they needed his conviction.
That night, the crew rested in the shattered ruins. A campfire flickered, its glow softening the blood-stained battlefield.
Rio cleaned his rifle in silence, but his hands shook. Lisa noticed and placed a hand on his. "You did well today."
He gave her a small, weary smile. "I… I just didn't want to let anyone die."
Rus stirred a pot of soup, his voice booming. "No one's dying on my watch. Eat, recover, fight another day. That's the pirate's way."
Dr. Clover sat near the fire, staring at the closed chest, haunted. The knowledge of Uranus… should we have destroyed it? Or is Arthur right — is there a 'right time'?
Arthur stood apart from the group, Sriyo resting against his shoulder as he gazed at the stars above Shayia.
His heart whispered. This is bigger than me. Bigger than all of us. But if Roger left the world waiting for the right storm… then maybe that storm is us.
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✨ End of Chapter 71