章 48: Results! #48
Law frowned, trying to piece together what he had just witnessed, not even sparing a second glance at Double Six as Penguin fished him out of the water.
"What exactly did you just use?" he asked, his tone reflecting his confusion.
Blake smiled as he patted Sif's head. I'm alright... it's okay," he assured the grey wolf as he raised his fist, and before everyone's astonished eyes, it turned pitch black with colorful dots, resembling a starry night sky.
"I used this, though I'm not sure what it is specifically..." Blake said, his face tightening with effort as the transformation faded.
Law's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Is that... Haki?" he asked, uncertainty lacing his voice.
Blake shook his head slowly. "I'm not sure," he admitted. "Haki uses internal or spiritual energy to manifest, and this seems to draw on something similar."
He flexed his fingers, feeling the residual tingling in his hand. "Then again, Armament Haki acts like a shield, but this ability can be projected outside my body..." He explained with a sigh. "Even if it is Haki, it's probably not fully awakened. At least, not properly."
Law looked even more perplexed. "What makes you say that?" he asked, clearly intrigued by the phenomenon.
Blake sighed, looking down at his hand. "It's incredibly unstable and hard to control, for one," he explained. "Plus, I can only manage one or two attacks before I'm completely drained, both mentally and physically," he added, clenching his fist.
Law scratched his chin thoughtfully. "That's interesting. I don't know much about Haki, but I heard from Diamante that even a newbie can usually keep it up for a minute or two," he explained.
"He also said that it takes months, even years, to properly manifest it after awakening," he continued, peering at Blake's hand as if expecting to see the starry effect again. "But I'm not sure Haki can even manifest in that particular shape...."
Before Blake could answer, Double Six barreled over, pushing Law aside. "That was incredible! What was that?" he blurted out, his eyes wide with curiosity.
Blake opened his mouth to reply, but Law quickly kicked Double Six in the rear, shoving him away. "You bastard! Do you fancy another dip ?" he scowled, watching Double Six's expression turn sheepish.
"The idiot aside..." Law shifted his attention from Dobule Six back to Blake, his frown deepening, "where did you learn to do something like that?"
Blake shrugged at Law's inquiry. "I found it in a manual while I was staying on a deserted island," he explained. Everyone stared at him blankly, clearly confused. "It's the same place I found Sif... didn't I tell you guys about it?" He gestured toward Sif, who let out a low whine, as if confirming his words.
Law shook his head slowly, his expression thoughtful. "If you had told us that, I'm sure I would have remembered," he said. "Now that I think about it, we really don't know much about you," he added, glancing at Bepo, Penguin, and Shachi, who eagerly nodded in agreement. Even Double Six chimed in.
Even Double Six voiced out his agreement. "That's right! Why didn't you tell us?" He asked indignantly. "I even told you my life story the moment we met!" He crossed his arms in front of his chest.
Law's forehead vein bulged as he turned to Double Six. "This is none of your business! You're just an outsider, a damned freeloader!" he declared. "And what's more, I don't remember you telling us your life story in the first place," he added with a scowl.
Double Six looked thoroughly offended at Law's words. "Even if I didn't tell it in boring details, it's not hard to deduce!" he declared, puffing up with indignation.
"If you want, I can tell you all about it right now! You see, I was an orphan and when—" He paused abruptly as Law, using his devil fruit ability, tossed him off the ship. His words turned into a scream as he flew through the air, plummeting toward the sea. "Ahhh! Not again! Help!"
Blake watched the unfolding chaos with a bemused smile. "Well, it's going to be a bit of a long story... someone get my backpack," he said with a sigh, glancing at Double Six, who was flailing in the water, trying and failing to stay afloat. "And please get this idiot out of the water before he drowns," he added, shaking his head in exasperation.
Shachi sighed deeply, muttering under his breath as he jumped into the water to rescue Double Six. Meanwhile, Penguin headed to the lower decks to fetch Blake's backpack. Law, Bepo, and even Asher settled down on the deck, watching Blake as he petted Sif, waiting for the others to return.
Soon enough, Double Six was out of the water, and Penguin had returned with Blake's backpack.
Blake looked at the group, a small smile playing on his lips. "Alright, once everyone's now that everyone's here, I'll tell you the whole story," he said, his tone carrying a hint of amusement.
Blake then proceeded to recount the origins of his body's original owner, starting with his birth as a sickly child to noble parents. He explained how his parents died in an accident, leaving him vulnerable to abduction and eventual sale into slavery.
He described his grim fate as the cabin boy of a ruthless pirate crew, selected for the role because of his pleasant voice and guitar skills.
"The Cutthroat Pirates," Blake began, his tone serious, "were as vicious as their name suggests. They treated me horribly, and the conditions on the ship were unbearable." He didn't shy away from the details, painting a vivid picture of the brutality he endured.
He paused to describe Old Barn, a particularly nasty pirate. "Old Barn was a real piece of work," Blake said, shaking his head. "We used each other, each thinking we'd come out on top. In the end, I managed to come out on top, though it was mostly luck...."
Blake went on to tell how he washed ashore on a deserted island after the marines attacked the pirate crew. "I was half-dead when I got there," he admitted. "But that island... it changed everything." He spun a mostly truthful, but slightly altered version of his time there, avoiding the full truth.
"I found a medicine on the island," he said, glossing over the real details. "It cured my body. After a while of exploring the island, I discovered a manual for a body-strengthening technique... it's because of it that I can use this power..." He left out the more fantastical elements, sticking to a story that seemed plausible but still incredible.
Blake continued his tale, delving into the intricate details of the mysterious island he once called home. He regaled the crew with stories of its diverse inhabitants, from the towering serpent that slithered through the dense jungle to the mischievous monkeys that hurled rocks from their cliffside burrows.
"The island was unique, to say the least... I doubt we'd encounter anything like it... " Blake explained, his eyes alight with the memories. "Each ring was like its own world, separated by natural barriers." He described the perilous cliffs infested with rock-hurling monkeys and the treacherous moats teeming with shark-like creatures.
As he recounted his encounter with Sif, the crew leaned in, captivated by his tale. "We fought... well, kind of actually," Blake said, a wry smile playing on his lips. "She's quite the guardian, that one."
Sif gave Blake a warning look, letting out a low growl.
Despite the interruption, Blake pressed on, describing their battle in vivid detail. "In the end, I emerged victorious," he declared, even as Sif sank her teeth into his head from behind.
The crew had their eyes wide in awe, their surprise mounting as Blake recounted his clash with the sea king that guarded the island's shores. "It was a difficult battle... I almost died but Sif saved my life..." he recalled, the memory still vivid in his mind.
He then concluded his tale with the rescue came in the form of Jack Blackwater and his ship. "He took us out of that place," Blake said, gratitude evident in his voice. "Took us to Swallow Island, where we met you..."
Before he could say anything else, Blake, who was absorbed in his own memories, suddenly snapped back to reality at the sound of sobbing. He couldn't help but chuckle at the sight of Bepo, Shachi, Penguin, and Double Six, embracing one another and bawling like newborn children.
"I'm so sorry..." Bepo said, not knowing what else to say.
"You've really suffered a lot, captain!" Shachi said, wiping his tears with his finger.
"You really had some bad luck! But Don't worry though! You have us now!" Penguin added slapping his chest resolutely.
Double Six wanted to say something as well, but he had to swallow his words as he found Law glaring at him, his hands ready to create another Room and toss him outside the ship.
Blake shrugged his shoulders. "I don't really think I've had bad luck... I'm alive, in good health and company, and I can continue to grow stronger and have all kinds of adventures..." He said with a grin. "In fact, I consider myself quite lucky..."
Everyone's expression shifted at those words. Even Law, who had maintained a stoic expression so far broke into an exasperated sigh and shook his head.
"That's quite the story... It's honestly hard to believe," Law said running his hands through his hair. "Though for some reason I don't doubt you..." He added, his expression indecipherable, his tone thoughtful.
Blake smiled at Law. "I'd have a hard time believing it myself... and I know better than anyone just how crazy this world is," he said with a chuckle. "Right... before I forget, I asked someone to bring my backpack for a reason..."
Slowly reaching into the backpack, Blake retrieved a small wooden chest and put it on the ground. "This is also something I found on the island... it should be proof enough of my words..." he declared, his hand reaching to lift the lid.
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