Pirates' Magic Odyssey: Unveiling Eight Skills At The Beginning - Chapter 20

Jonathan thought he had grown accustomed to deceit and the changing world, his heart had become as tough as iron.

But now, as he looked at the figure delivering a passionate speech in the hazy moonlight, something in Jonathan’s heart stirred deeply, as if recalling the scene when he and Admiral Akainu had enlisted together.

“Jonathan, what was the reason for your decision to enlist in the military?”

Back then, when Admiral Akainu was still a teenager, with a stern face that seemed older than his years. Before Jonathan could answer, he clenched his fists and said:

“I joined the military to defeat those wicked pirates and uphold world peace!”

“I look forward to the day when we can fight side by side!”

Time flew by, and memories rushed like arrows.

That once vengeful youth had grown into an admiral of the navy.

Jonathan, on the other hand, remained an ordinary ensign; a world away from Admiral Akainu’s position.

For a fleeting moment, Jonathan felt that the figure before him and the young Admiral Akainu were overlapping.

Perhaps, all great individuals shared a striking resemblance in their youth.

Those memories of the past, long gone, ignited a spark in the somewhat weary heart of this middle-aged man.

Jonathan tossed away his cigarette, stepped on it a few times, extinguishing the ember. Then, he clenched his fist, imitating Yang Ming’s gesture, and pounded his chest vigorously, proclaiming:

“We defend honor with blood!”

It felt like a solemn and sacred ritual, leaving a mysterious impact.

Smoker, Tashigi, Drake, and Daddy Masterson trembled, each pounding their chests with their fists, and chanting together:

“We defend honor with blood!”

The crescent moon above bore witness to their vow.

This scene would surely go down in history, becoming a legendary tale for generations to come.

The six of them exchanged glances, sharing a smile.

In this moment, their bonds grew strong, forming a group led by Yang Ming.

Yang Ming’s speech dispelled the doubts in the hearts of the Blade Team members and ignited their fighting spirit. They all wished they could immediately fly to the Capital of Seven Waters and make their mark.

Thankfully, everyone maintained their composure. Knowing that reaching the Capital of Seven Waters was still a distant goal, they arranged for night shifts and retired to their rooms.

Once in his room, Yang Ming immediately checked the system’s message that had appeared earlier.

“Ding!”

“Congratulations to the host for quoting a classic line from the world of Warcraft, earning a chance to draw from the lottery wheel. Do you want to activate the lottery wheel?”

The prizes on the lottery wheel were divided into two types: racial talents and skills.

Racial Talents: Escape Artist, Heroic Presence, Resilience.

Skills: Charge, Rallying Cry, Execute.

?Heroic Presence?: You possess extraordinary confidence and strength, granting a slight boost to all attacks.

Yang Ming stood in front of a mirror.

His reflection displayed a sturdy figure, well-dressed to hide the bandages wrapped around him. His tanned skin exuded a healthy sheen, and the firm lines of his face conveyed determination.

Yang Ming wasn’t exceptionally handsome, but there was an unexplainable charm about him now. His every move and gesture marked a clear distinction from others.

Perhaps, this was the unique charisma bestowed by Heroic Presence.

The reason lesser individuals remained in the shadows and served as mere background in the world was not only due to their ordinary looks and builds but also because they lacked the distinct quality that set them apart from the rest.

Any achiever of greatness invariably stood out from the crowd. The moment they stood somewhere, you knew they were the one and only.

Now, Yang Ming possessed a distinctive quality, cultivating his unique aura.

A night passed without words. 

To avoid arousing suspicion from the Donquixote Family’s covert agents, the six of them anchored their single-masted sailboat on an island near the Capital of Seven Waters. They then bought their tickets and boarded the seafaring train headed for the capital.

Yang Ming and the others bought tickets together, occupying adjacent seats.

As the train’s whistle blew and smoke billowed from the chimney, the train’s carriages began their journey along the tracks.

A charming attendant with a pleasing appearance came to the carriage where Yang Ming and the others were seated. She wore a black and gold-trimmed attendant’s hat, her snug purple uniform highlighting her graceful figure. Every inch of her body was just right, not an ounce too much or too little.

She left her long golden wavy hair loose, adding a touch of allure. Her slightly powdered face and captivating eyes subtly flirted.

With the sound of her high heels tapping the floor and the sway of her supple waist, she garnered wide-eyed stares from many male passengers, who couldn’t help but swallow a mouthful of saliva.

Even the usually clueless Smoker was nearly awestruck at the sight of the stewardess. Not to mention the others.

Women naturally loved beauty and liked to be beautiful themselves, disliking it when other women outshone them.

Tashigi was no exception. Seeing the pathetic expressions on Smoker and the others, she couldn’t help but snort disdainfully. She pulled Yang Ming into her embrace and used both hands to knead his collagen-rich cheeks, somewhat gritting her teeth as she said:

“Yang Ming, when you grow up, you can’t be as spineless as these guys!”

“It’s just a woman, for heaven’s sake!”

Yang Ming, feeling the pressure from those unnameable entities, was about to put on a mask of agony.

The stewardess clutched her stomach, bowed to the passengers in the carriage, revealing a deep cleavage, and her actions were making it difficult for many male passengers to keep their cool.

Her mouth moved in a captivating rhythm, her sweet voice akin to heavenly music resonating in the carriage:

“Hello, everyone. Welcome aboard the seafaring train. I am the stewardess, Cocolo. I’ll be introducing this journey to you all.”

“The train you’re currently on is the Steamy Tom No.13, crafted over thirteen years by the Tom Shipbuilding Company. It’s currently in its trial run phase and hasn’t officially entered commercial operation. As a result, only one main line is available, with the final destination being Swift Station.”

“The Capital of Seven Waters is also known as Shipyard Island. It boasts the world’s best shipbuilding companies and gathers the finest shipwrights from around the world. Even the world-renowned shipwright Tom resides in the Capital of Seven Waters. If any of you are interested in purchasing a ship, I can arrange contact with the Tom Shipbuilding Company. There’s currently an 80% discount for advance purchases.”

“The Capital of Seven Waters is a place of great talents and bountiful resources. Every year, it hosts various events that attract travelers from all around the world. In just a month, the capital will hold a grand food festival, inviting renowned chefs from various islands to compete. If any of you wish to indulge your taste buds, don’t miss out.”

“…”

Cocolo, the stewardess spoke eloquently and enunciated her words clearly with a sweet voice.

Although she seemed to be introducing the Capital of Seven Waters, Cocolo occasionally inserted subtle endorsements for the Tom Shipbuilding Company, making it seamless and not too conspicuous, making it difficult for people to object.

In fact, quite a few male passengers used the opportunity to hand over their postcards to Cocolo, hoping to spend a wonderful night with this beautiful woman in the Capital of Seven Waters.

After struggling to free himself from Tashigi’s tight grip, Yang Ming looked at the male passengers vying for Cocolo’s attention and his expression turned slightly odd.

If he wasn’t mistaken, Cocolo was a mermaid. Once they grew up, mermaids would have their fin split into two legs, allowing them to live on land.

Mermaids were incredibly beautiful when young, but unfortunately, their prime was very short-lived. Once they passed thirty years old, they would age rapidly.

With the impression of her becoming a “big aunt” in his mind, Yang Ming was completely immune to Cocolo’s appearance.

Little did he know, this display of resilience was actually earning Yang Ming some bonus points in Tashigi’s eyes.

“He truly lives up to being a man approved by Tashigi!”

The scenery outside the window swiftly passed by, with ships coming and going on the sea.

As a renowned island and vital commercial hub, the Capital of Seven Waters had bustling harbors and docks filled with ships of all sizes. Sailors shouted instructions, while laborers tirelessly moved goods.

After an hour-long journey, the train gradually decelerated, finally stopping at a dock.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the seafaring train has arrived at the final destination, Swift Station. Please ensure you have all your belongings before disembarking.”

As Yang Ming’s feet touched the ground, a wave of heat hit him head-on.

Looking around, he saw crowds of people everywhere on the dock.

Near the dock, banners and signs were hung, and merchants and vendors tried to attract business.

“Bay Inn: Hot Springs and Gourmet Delights, Pink Romance, 10,000 berries per night, check-in with just your baggage.”

“Rent a Double-Seat Brulee Mount: A combination of camel-style backpack carrying and waterway sightseeing. An essential for your travel, rent it for just 1,000 berries a day.”

“Sticky Rice Cakes: Freshly baked sticky rice cakes, don’t miss them as you pass by!”

Yang Ming’s gaze swept around, pausing abruptly on the area where shipping containers were being arranged.

Fish-men, with skin colors differing from humans, were sweating as they used their strength, ten times that of humans, to laboriously move shipping containers.

Cocolo the stewardess stood by the train’s carriage door. She had already noticed this uniquely charismatic child whose gaze was different from the others. When he looked at her, his eyes remained clear and bright, leaving her with a favorable impression.

Following Yang Ming’s gaze, Cocolo assumed he had some concerns about the fish-men. She whispered softly:

“Those fish-men are employees of the Tom Shipbuilding Company.”

Seeing Yang Ming turn his head to her, Cocolo flashed a sweet smile, revealing a row of immaculate teeth.

“Tom is a kind-hearted person. He always likes to take care of those less fortunate members of the race. These fish-men face discrimination from humans in other places and can’t find work. So, Tom kindly took them in.”

Yang Ming didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on the group of fish-men laborers.

Though they tried to hide it, a corner of their arms still revealed the sun-shaped brand. It was a modified mark meant to disguise the Celestial Dragon’s mark, and it was also the emblem of the Sun Pirates.

Why were members of the Sun Pirates here?