WebNovels

Chapter 11 - Chapter 11: An Illegitimate Son?

Countless Marines had stared at him with wide eyes as he stepped off the warship. In their gazes, Rakuya felt awe, fear, even a kind of reverence. It puzzled him, but he did not bother to ask. He simply walked into the Sabaody Archipelago.

Rakuya knew this place well.

The archipelago was formed of seventy-nine giant mangrove trees, each numbered and each with its own towns, markets, and facilities built atop them. Together, they made up what people called the Sabaody Archipelago.

The zones were clearly divided:

1 to 29: slave markets, human auctions, and lawless grounds.

30 to 39: amusement zones, including the famous Soap Bubble Park.

40 to 49: sightseeing spots and souvenir shops.

50 to 59: shipyards and coating craftsmen.

60 to 69: Marine bases and government checkpoints.

70 to 79: hotel districts.

The place Rakuya had just stepped out from was Grove 69, right by the Marine base.

To make sure the youth could enjoy himself, Zephyr had even arranged for Bastille to serve as his guide. It saved Rakuya plenty of trouble.

Bastille rattled off local knowledge as they walked, though Rakuya already knew these things by heart. He nodded along casually, letting the man talk, and the two of them soon circled much of the archipelago.

At this time, Sabaody wasn't as crowded or chaotic as it would one day become. Its entertainment spots were still limited, its development incomplete. There wasn't that much to see.

Then, out of nowhere, a bundle of newspapers fluttered down from the sky and landed right on Rakuya's head.

He tugged it free, glanced at the front page and paused.

"Roger Pirates land at Sabaody Archipelago. Three great crews set to converge in the New World!"

Beneath the bold headline was a photo of a man with a wide grin, a black hat, and a bold pair of mustaches.

It was none other than the man who would one day be King of the Pirates Gol D. Roger.

"Well now, not bad. Roger's in Sabaody too?" The thought of that living legend walking these same groves sparked a flicker of excitement in Rakuya's chest.

"Don't get too thrilled," Bastille said quickly, pouring a bucket of cold water over him. "It's just a rumor. Someone claims they saw the Oro Jackson anchored here. Whether it's true or not is anyone's guess."

"Is that so." Rakuya nodded and turned another page.

And there, staring back at him, was his own face.

"Eh?"

The youth blinked. Handsome, calm, almost aloof there was no mistaking it.

"My photo… why is it in here?"

He glanced at Bastille beside him. But Bastille wasn't answering. Instead, the Marine officer was giving him a look as if he were staring at a sea monster, a crooked smile tugging at his lips. His eyes seemed to say: Come on, stop pretending. Everyone knows. You're Steel Bone Kong's illegitimate son. You can't hide it anymore.

The odd smile only deepened Rakuya's confusion. He lowered his gaze back to the page and read the headline above his picture.

"Suspected illegitimate son of Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong. Truth unknown. However, Fleet Admiral Kong has issued a direct order: no Marine is to provoke this youth, Rakuya. Any who do will be expelled from Headquarters and hunted to the ends of the sea. With such open protection, odds are this boy is indeed Kong's blood."

A full column of black ink hammered the claim home.

Rakuya's expression darkened until black lines all but etched across his face.

"What the hell? Since when did I become Steel Bone Kong's illegitimate son?"

He fought the urge to spit blood and reread the page carefully. The photo had been snapped yesterday, after lunch. At the time, the only other person present had been Zephyr.

His eyes narrowed.

"So… that purple-haired old fox secretly took my picture while I was eating?"

Folding the paper, he exhaled slowly, already piecing things together.

"It must've been that day I wiped out the Lion Pirates. Zephyr was shocked and reported it to Headquarters. His attempts to recruit me those promises of rank they were to keep me from turning into an enemy. When I refused, they switched tactics, trying to 'befriend' me instead. Heh. That Steel Bone Kong… he knows how to play the game."

With a simple analysis, Rakuya had the whole picture in mind.

Now he understood why, when he left the Marine base earlier, all those Marines had looked at him with fear, awe, and envy.

All the strange stares finally made sense.

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