One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 31: The Looming Shadow.

.

.

.

The crash of wood echoed across the moonlit expanse of Jaya Island, shards of timber scattered across the ground. In the center of it all lay Marshall D. Teach—Blackbeard—half-buried beneath a shattered wooden house. His laughter, deep and guttural, rang through the still air, a sinister sound that sent shivers down the spines of the surviving pirates. Around his prone form, tendrils of darkness began to slither and writhe, emanating from his body like living shadows.

Standing a short distance away, Meliodas surveyed the destruction with a calm expression. His vibrant green eyes, glowing faintly under the pale moonlight, carried an unsettling serenity. The golden strands of his tousled hair shimmered as the night breeze swept through them, framing a face that betrayed no sign of exertion despite the carnage.

Not far behind, Elizabeth sprinted toward him, her silver hair flowing like liquid starlight. She clutched the strap of her white shoulder bag tightly, her pale blue dress fluttering with each hurried step. She called out to him, her voice trembling, not from fear, but from the urgency of the moment.

Around them, the remnants of Teach's pirate crew cowered in silence. The once-proud marauders of Jaya Island had been beaten back, their bruised and bloodied forms scattered across the debris-strewn ground. Those who still stood kept their distance, their hands trembling as they clutched their weapons. None dared approach Meliodas. The aura he radiated—an effortless dominance—froze them in place.

Teach's first mate, a hulking figure with bulging muscles and a mop of unruly purple hair, stood rooted nearby. His face twitched with barely concealed terror. When Meliodas's gaze flicked toward him, calm yet piercing, it was enough to shatter his nerve entirely. With a strangled cry, the first mate launched himself into the air, retreating with startling speed into the dense jungle.

Meliodas made no move to stop him. His attention was drawn elsewhere—toward the faint creaking and groaning of the wooden ruins. His ears caught a sound that others might have missed: the ominous vibrations of something shifting beneath the surface.

The pirates turned their attention to the pile of rubble that had once been a house. Slowly, inexorably, the shattered wood began to move, drawn toward a pulsating mass of darkness pooling at the center. The shadows grew denser, swallowing the remains of the structure piece by piece.

When the darkness finally receded, Teach emerged. He stood upright, brushing splinters from his shoulders, his grin wide and unflinching. "This," he declared, spreading his arms dramatically, "is the power of the Yami Yami no Mi! The fruit I've waited so long for!" His voice carried a manic pride, his words resonating with a conviction that bordered on madness.

Above them, another vortex of shadow materialized, hanging ominously in the sky. From it, the remnants of the wooden house began to rain down, sharp fragments falling toward both Meliodas and Elizabeth.

Without hesitation, Meliodas reached for the hilt of Lostvayne, the blade resting comfortably in its sheath on his back. In a single, fluid motion, he drew the sword and swung it upward. The air around him seemed to ripple, and a razor-sharp gust of wind surged forth, slicing cleanly through the falling debris.

The wood splintered midair, harmlessly scattering to the ground around them. Elizabeth shielded her eyes from the rush of air, her dress fluttering wildly in the aftermath. When she looked up, she saw Teach still grinning, seemingly unfazed.

"You've got guts, Meliodas," Teach taunted, his grin widening. "But your little Full Counter trick won't work against me. There's nothing for you to reflect in the darkness!"

For a moment, Meliodas said nothing. His gaze remained fixed on Teach, his eyes narrowing slightly as he observed the ebb and flow of the shadows surrounding his opponent. Finally, with a quiet sigh, he sheathed Lostvayne.

"You've become boring, Teach," he said, his tone carrying a faint trace of disappointment. "I thought you had something more impressive up your sleeve. But after seeing this... I've completely lost interest."

Teach's grin faltered for the briefest of moments, replaced by a flicker of anger. But before he could respond, Meliodas turned away, extending his hand to Elizabeth.

"Let's go," he said simply.

Elizabeth hesitated only briefly before taking his hand. Together, they began to walk away, Meliodas's white shirt and green trousers catching the faint light of the moon. The brown scarf around his neck, once used to conceal his identity, now hung loosely, serving no real purpose.

As they moved, Teach called out after them, his voice tinged with venom. "You think you're better than me, Meliodas? Let me tell you something—our goals aren't so different! I'll make you regret calling me boring. You'll see my ambition stretch to the very heavens!"

Meliodas didn't break his stride.

Teach's expression darkened, but he forced a smile as he added, "Oh, and by the way—what you're looking for is in Alabasta. Consider that my parting gift!"

Meliodas gave no indication he'd heard, his steps steady and unhurried. Elizabeth glanced back, her eyes briefly meeting those of the terrified pirates who watched them from the shadows. None dared to move, their fear of Meliodas keeping them rooted in place. The ground was littered with the unconscious bodies of those who had been foolish enough to challenge him.

When the pair finally disappeared into the night, a collective sigh of relief escaped the remaining pirates.

Teach staggered slightly, coughing up blood as he dropped to one knee. His first mate emerged from the shadows, his forehead smeared with blood, and rushed to his captain's side.

"Are you all right, Captain?" the man asked, his voice filled with concern.

Teach wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes blazing with fury. "I wanted his Devil Fruit," he growled, his voice low. "I didn't expect him to be this strong. One hit from that bastard, and I could barely breathe. Is he even human?"

The first mate helped him to his feet, his expression grim. "What bothers me," he said slowly, "is that he didn't even use his Devil Fruit. He fought off dozens of bounty hunters without breaking a sweat, and he didn't even need his sword until the end. That kid..."

Teach's grin returned, though it was tinged with pain. "No matter. Once I get my hands on the Gura Gura no Mi, he'll be nothing to me. The Yami Yami no Mi will nullify his counters, and the Gura Gura will crush him. He won't stand a chance."

The first mate hesitated. "But why tell him about Alabasta? Wasn't that a risk?"

Teach's grin widened, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Meliodas would kill me if he found out I killed the Fourth Division Commander. Sending him toward Alabasta buys us time—and keeps him far away from our real path."

Meanwhile, as the night wind carried a gentle breeze through the jungle, Meliodas's golden hair caught the light of the stars. Elizabeth looked down at their intertwined hands, her voice hesitant as she broke the silence.

"Meliodas-san," she began, "he mentioned Alabasta. Are we really going to trust him and go there?"

Meliodas turned to her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "We don't have much of a choice. Let's hope Diane is waiting for us there."

Elizabeth's heart skipped a beat at his words. As he smiled, her own lips curved upward in response, though her thoughts lingered elsewhere. Her blue eyes reflected the stars as she gazed at him, her expression softening.

Since the day we met, she thought, he's looked at me differently than everyone else. That smile... I never want it to fade.

A shadow passed through her gaze as she added silently, Even if he discovers the truth about what I've been hiding from him... I'll protect that smile, no matter what.

.

[ A/N ]

.

~ More Chapters ;

patr eon. com/Sakana0

.

.

❗Next three chapters❗

- Chapter 32: A Starry Voyage.

- Chapter 33: The Breaking Dawn

- Chapter 34; Clash at Dawn