Chương 40: Chapter 40: Whispers of the Triangle
Vulcan had spent a week training with the Marines at the base, his time filled with rigorous sparring and exercises that kept his body and mind sharp. He had earned the respect of the younger Marines, and even the veteran officers were impressed by his strength, speed, and tactical thinking. During his time there, they had also gone on a few pirate-hunting missions, keeping the seas around the island free from small-time pirates.
Despite the victories and camaraderie, Vulcan's thoughts were always elsewhere—he knew he had more training to do, more challenges to face. This base, while a good stop, was just another step in his journey. Marineford was his real destination, and that time had come.
After a particularly satisfying morning spar with a group of Marines, Rear Admiral Lyons approached him as he finished his water break.
"You've been quite the addition to our forces here, Vulcan," Lyons said with a grin. "Hunting pirates, improving morale, even teaching a few of my men some new moves."
Vulcan smirked, wiping the sweat from his brow. "Just keeping myself sharp, Rear Admiral."
"Well, it's time to get you back to Marineford. I've arranged for a ship to take you. You've more than earned a proper transport."
Vulcan nodded. "Thanks. I appreciate it."
Lyons waved his hand. "Don't mention it. Just make sure to keep an eye out when you get to HQ. There's a lot happening, and I have a feeling you're going to get caught up in something big."
A few hours later, Vulcan found himself waiting at the harbor as the Marines finished preparing the ship that would take him to Marineford. The sun was setting over the horizon, casting long shadows over the docks as sailors rushed to load the last of the supplies.
As he leaned against a stack of crates, Vulcan overheard two dockworkers talking nearby. They were speaking in hushed tones, their eyes darting around nervously as they worked.
"Did you hear about that merchant ship? Another one's gone missing, trying to escape some pirates in the Florian Triangle."
"Yeah, I heard," the second man said, his voice shaking slightly. "The whole ship… gone, like it was swallowed by the sea itself. It's not the first time, either. That place is cursed, I tell ya. Ain't no ship that goes in there ever comes out."
Vulcan's ears perked up at the mention of the Florian Triangle. He turned his head slightly, listening intently. He'd heard rumors about the place before, but it seemed like the stories were more widespread than he thought.
"Some say it's haunted," the first man continued, lowering his voice even more. "Ships that vanish, ghostly lights in the fog… No one in their right mind goes near it."
The mention of a merchant ship being chased by pirates piqued Vulcan's interest further. If pirates were involved, it was worth looking into. He straightened up, a grin forming on his face. A mystery and pirates? Now, that was something worth exploring.
Just then, a Marine officer approached him. "Sir, the ship is ready. You can board now."
Vulcan gave the officer a nod and walked toward the vessel, still thinking about what he'd overheard. The Florian Triangle, huh? It sounded like the kind of place Garp would probably laugh at, but Vulcan knew better than to ignore stories like that, especially in the Grand Line.
As Vulcan settled into his cabin on the Marine ship, he couldn't shake the curiosity gnawing at him. After a while, he made his way to the deck, where a few Marines were milling about. One of them, a chatty ensign, was leaning against the rail, looking out at the sea.
Vulcan walked over. "Hey, got a question for you."
The ensign perked up, clearly eager to talk. "Sure! What can I help you with?"
"I overheard some dockworkers talking about the Florian Triangle. They said a merchant ship went missing there recently. You know anything about that?"
The ensign's eyes widened, and he immediately grew animated. "Oh, the Florian Triangle? Yeah, everyone talks about that place! It's like a nightmare! I've heard so many stories. Some say ships get lost in the fog and never return. Others say there are ghost ships prowling the waters, just waiting to snatch up unsuspecting sailors! And the lights! People swear they've seen eerie lights shining through the fog, like the souls of the lost sailors still searching for their way out!"
Vulcan raised an eyebrow, amused by the ensign's exaggerated enthusiasm.
The ensign continued, clearly enjoying the attention. "They say once you enter the Triangle, you can't even see a meter in front of you because the fog's so thick. It just swallows you up! And no one really knows what's in there, either. Some say it's a graveyard of pirate ships, others think it's something even worse. But one thing's for sure: you don't come back!"
Vulcan chuckled. "Sounds like something out of a horror story."
The ensign nodded vigorously. "Yeah, but it's real! Lots of ships have gone missing there. Even Marine patrols avoid it if they can. Only the reckless or desperate venture into those waters."
Vulcan turned his gaze out to sea, his grin fading into a thoughtful expression. Thriller Bark, the notorious floating fortress, was rumored to be hidden somewhere in the Florian Triangle. He'd heard tales about it too, though it had always seemed more like a legend than reality. But now that he was hearing these stories again, he couldn't help but feel a pull toward the mystery.
The ensign, unaware of Vulcan's growing interest, continued rambling. "I've never seen it myself, but I heard about a Marine ship that got caught near the Triangle a couple of years ago. They barely made it out! Said the fog was so thick, they could hear things moving in the water, but they never saw a thing!"
Vulcan's eyes gleamed as a mischievous smile began to creep onto his face. He could feel his heart pounding in excitement at the prospect of a challenge, a mystery to unravel, and pirates to fight.
"Well, thanks for the info," Vulcan said, clapping the ensign on the back. "I'll keep that in mind."
The ensign gave him a curious look but nodded. "Yeah, no problem! Just… uh, if you ever get the urge to check it out, I'd recommend bringing a lot of backup."
The journey to Marineford was uneventful after that, the ship gliding smoothly through the calm seas as they headed toward the towering fortress of the Marines. Vulcan stood on the deck as the base came into view, the massive walls and towering structures making it clear that this was the heart of the World Government's power.
As they docked, Vulcan stepped off the ship and took a deep breath of the salty sea air. He had been waiting for this moment. There was no telling what awaited him in Marineford, but he felt ready. His time on the island, his training, and his recent battles had all led to this point.
He glanced around, feeling the buzz of activity all around him as Marines went about their duties. But his mind was elsewhere. He already had a plan forming in his head—a daring, bold plan that would push him even further than before.
Vulcan grinned to himself, his excitement barely contained. He strode toward the base, his thoughts racing as he considered his next steps.
His first stop was to check if Vice Admiral Garp was present at HQ. He quickly found a Marine officer and asked, "Is Vice Admiral Garp here?"
The officer shook his head. "No, sir. He's out on a mission dealing with some pirate activity."
Vulcan smirked to himself, the wheels in his mind turning. "Now, how about I go and have some fun?"
The devilish grin on his face spread wider as he set off to Marineford's inner chambers, his mind buzzing with excitement and his heart pounding with the thrill of adventure. Something big was coming, and Vulcan was ready for it.
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