One piece: Establishing a Pirate Family

Chapter 86: Askaka Island (Part 3)

"Who is it?"

As Charlotte took another step forward, people jumped out from all directions, each armed with weapons. They glared at Charlotte and his group of more than twenty people, clearly on high alert.

When Charlotte's crew saw this, they immediately drew their own weapons.

The crew's arsenal was varied—some held swords, others carried flintlock rifles, and a few even wielded axes.

Seeing the heavily armed group, the villagers-turned-guards became visibly nervous. The aura exuded by Charlotte's crew made it clear they were no ordinary group.

Charlotte eyed the guards dressed as villagers and smiled faintly.

"Step aside or die," he said calmly, his voice carrying a chilling weight.

Even as he spoke in a composed manner, the murderous intent radiating from his body was palpable.

Years of bloodshed had refined Charlotte's aura into something nearly tangible, and even a slight release of it was enough to send shivers down the spine of ordinary people.

The guards, though seasoned hunters from the mountains, couldn't withstand the pressure. Their legs began trembling uncontrollably.

"Y-you! Who are you? Why have you come to our village?" the leader of the guards stammered, clutching his bow tightly.

Despite his attempt at maintaining composure, his unease was evident.

Charlotte's smile deepened.

"You have something I need in the back mountain. If you get in my way, you will die," he said, his tone as casual as if he were discussing the weather.

Hearing this, the guards froze.

"Could it be the Seven Star Sword?" one guard murmured, unable to contain himself.

"Shut up!" hissed another guard, glaring at the speaker.

The slip had revealed too much, but there was no taking it back now.

For years, rumors of the Seven Star Sword had drawn adventurers and treasure hunters to the village. While some left quietly after finding nothing, others had unleashed violence, leaving the villagers to suffer the consequences.

The leader of the guards sighed deeply, lowering his bow.

"Sir, are you here for the rumored Seven Star Sword?"

Charlotte nodded, making no effort to deny it.

"Very well," the leader said with resignation. "We won't stop you from seeking the sword, but please, I beg you—spare the villagers. They are innocent."

Hearing this, Charlotte agreed without hesitation.

"Of course! I'm not a senseless murderer," he said with a small shrug, spreading his hands as if to emphasize his innocence.

Behind him, his crew exchanged knowing glances. The man who bore the title "Blood Swordsman" claiming not to be a murderer was almost comical.

The guard leader sighed again, clearly relieved.

"Please, proceed," he said, stepping aside and gesturing for Charlotte to move forward.

Charlotte strode forward confidently, his focus unwavering. He was unafraid of any tricks the villagers might attempt.

As Charlotte's group passed, one of the guards muttered, "Another fool chasing a myth. I just hope he doesn't take his frustration out on us when he finds nothing."

The captain of the guards sighed heavily, agreeing silently with the sentiment.

Charlotte, however, was far from deterred. His heart raced with excitement as he approached the back mountain. He was about to claim his first legendary sword. While it was a cursed blade, Charlotte was confident in his ability to tame it.

The group soon entered the village, where the sight of armed strangers sent the villagers scurrying to shut their doors and windows.

An old man sat on his doorstep, watching the procession with indifferent eyes. Unlike the others, he didn't flinch or flee.

"Another man blinded by power," the old man muttered, his voice barely audible. "Such people always lose themselves in their pursuit of strength."

Charlotte narrowed his eyes at the old man but didn't respond. His mind was too preoccupied with the Seven Star Sword to waste time on cryptic comments.

Paul, however, shot the old man a fierce glare before hurrying to catch up with Charlotte.

The old man shook his head and remained silent.

As noon approached, the enticing aroma of food wafted from the villagers' homes. Charlotte, unfazed, pressed on, his determination unwavering.

After several more minutes of walking, an altar finally came into view.

Ascending the stone steps, Charlotte was halted by a loud female voice.

"Stop! This is a forbidden area! You are not allowed to enter!"

Charlotte looked up to see a blue-haired girl adorned with silver ornaments standing in front of the altar, glaring down at his group.

The sight of her gave Charlotte pause. She looked strikingly familiar—wasn't she the shrine maiden from the anime? Though younger and less mature, she bore a 70% resemblance to the character he remembered.

Charlotte smirked, his thoughts wandering. It had been over three months since he'd seen a woman who intrigued him, and now he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement.

"Hello, shrine maiden!" he called out. "I've heard rumors of a magical sword called the Seven Star Sword. Is it here?"

The shrine maiden's expression shifted, but she quickly masked her reaction.

"Sir, the Seven Star Sword is just a legend. This altar is sacred, a forbidden area. Outsiders are not permitted to enter," she said firmly.

Charlotte, however, was undeterred.

"That won't do," he said with a sly grin. "The captain of your guards said it was fine. Why can't you let me in?"

The shrine maiden's face darkened.

"What? The guards let you through?" she said, her voice rising in disbelief.

Charlotte nodded, his grin widening.

The priestess clenched her fists, frustration clear on her face. Generations of shrine maidens had guarded this altar, their mission to ensure the seal of the Seven Star Sword remained intact. Her duty was sacred, and yet these guards had failed her.

"Are you going to stop me, shrine maiden?" Charlotte asked, his tone casual but his steps deliberate.

Before she could respond, Charlotte began ascending the steps toward the altar.

"Stop! Don't come any closer!" the shrine maiden shouted, her voice tinged with desperation.

But Charlotte ignored her, continuing his approach without hesitation.

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