One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 38: Celestial Elizabeth

The wooden door to the ship's deck creaked open, and sunlight spilled across Meliodas's face, highlighting the golden strands of his hair and the glimmer of his emerald-green eyes. The warm rays seemed to dance upon him as he stepped out, the faint scent of saltwater carried by the gentle breeze brushing against him.

Elizabeth, her keen ears catching the sound of the door, turned toward it. Her cerulean eyes locked onto Meliodas as she released the ship's wheel. Each of her steps across the deck was deliberate, her silver hair flowing with the soft rhythm of the wind. The timber creaked beneath her light footsteps as she made her way to him, her face illuminated by a warm smile.

"You took your time changing," she teased, her voice lilting with playful curiosity. Her gaze flickered to the emerald-green trousers he now wore, still damp from the sea's touch.

Meliodas glanced down at his arms, brushing his fingers across his still-damp shirt. "Even the shirt's dried faster than expected," he remarked, referring to the white tunic with its rolled sleeves and modest high collar.

As they spoke, his hand casually drifted to the hilt of Lostvayne, the ornate blade sheathed at his back. The gleaming crimson and gold of the handle shimmered faintly under the sunlight. Without a word, Meliodas drew the blade, its quiet hum slicing through the air.

Elizabeth's eyes widened slightly as she watched. A subtle smirk played on Meliodas's lips as he tightened his grip. With a flick of his wrist, a second version of himself materialized from the sword, stepping forward with the same confident grin plastered across its face.

Elizabeth tilted her head, her brows raised. "What do you need a copy of yourself for?"

Meliodas turned to his clone, who responded with a nod and a somersault toward the ship's wheel. As the clone took control of the helm, Meliodas bent down, scooping Elizabeth effortlessly into his arms. Her astonishment was clear as her gaze darted between him and the ship.

"Hold tight," he said, the corner of his mouth curling into a grin.

Before she could protest, Meliodas leaped to the ship's edge. He balanced on the railing for a heartbeat, the vast blue expanse of the ocean stretching out behind him. Then, in an instant, he propelled them forward in a blur, landing smoothly on the sandy shores of Alabasta.

The golden sands sparkled under the sun's gaze, stretching endlessly in all directions. Meliodas set Elizabeth gently onto the ground, her silver hair shimmering like starlight against the golden backdrop. She turned, her eyes fixed on the ship now drifting farther into the horizon.

"You used your clone to steer the ship?" she asked, a note of disbelief mixed with admiration. "That's… unexpectedly resourceful."

Meliodas chuckled as he stepped forward, his boots leaving faint impressions in the sand. "That's nothing. Sooner or later, the Marines will catch up with my clone. By then, we'll have disappeared into the crowd." His voice was calm, yet there was a tinge of calculation in his tone.

Elizabeth watched the ship for a moment longer, her expression softening. "I don't want this to be the last time I see that ship."

Meliodas glanced over his shoulder, his signature grin softening. "Don't worry. I feel the same way."

As they began walking inland, the endless dunes of Alabasta stretched before them, the desert heat rippling in the distance. The horizon seemed infinite, a sea of gold under the cloudless sky. Elizabeth followed behind Meliodas, her eyes lingering on the endless expanse, thoughts swirling in her mind.

Far from the tranquil shores of Alabasta, the Marines' fleet was on the move. The vast armada had finally shaken free from the icy grip that had temporarily immobilized them. Ships carved through the ocean's surface, leaving trails of white foam amidst the floating shards of ice.

On the lead ship, a Vice Admiral strode into his quarters. His stern face was partially hidden beneath the brim of his hat as he picked up the transponder snail from his desk. The snail blinked slowly before emitting the distinct tone of a connection being established.

After a few moments, the deep, authoritative voice of Fleet Admiral Sengoku resonated from the other end. "What is it?"

The Vice Admiral's tone was measured, but there was a note of urgency beneath his words. "We've encountered something… unexpected. Two significant developments."

Sengoku paused before responding, his voice colder now. "Go on."

"The first is the Sin of Wrath, Meliodas. The rumors from Jaya were true—he's here."

A faint smile tugged at the edges of Sengoku's lips. "So the reports from our spies were accurate. No matter. With Garp and Kuzan on the move, there's no way he can escape."

The Vice Admiral hesitated before continuing. "It's not just him. The second… is about the person accompanying him."

The silence on the other end was palpable. Sengoku's tone shifted, quieter yet heavier. "Who?"

The Vice Admiral's voice lowered. "She… she's a Celestial Dragon. Elizabeth Cristial."

For a moment, there was only the faint crackle of static. Then, Sengoku's deep voice broke the silence, tinged with disbelief. "That's impossible. What would a Celestial Dragon—especially her—be doing with a Dragon Slayer?"

"I don't know," the Vice Admiral admitted, his tone grim. "But her resemblance is undeniable. She's the spitting image of her mother. There's no mistake."

Sengoku's dark eyes narrowed as he leaned forward, placing a hand on his forehead. "Does Garp or Kuzan know about this?"

"They're well aware."

A faint chuckle escaped Sengoku. "This might just be our lucky day. Mobilize all available ships. Surround Alabasta. Neither of them leaves that island. He will be executed, and she will return to where she belongs—Mariejois."

Back on the golden sands of Alabasta, Elizabeth trailed a step behind Meliodas. The heat of the desert was relentless, but she seemed unaffected, her silver hair swaying gently with her steps. Her sapphire eyes gazed ahead, but her thoughts lingered on the horizon behind them, where the Sin of the Dragon's ship had vanished.

For a moment, she stopped, her fingers brushing against the pendant around her neck. The wind stirred around her, carrying with it the faint scent of the sea and the weight of unspoken memories.

Meliodas turned to glance at her, his expression softening. "Lost in thought?"

She met his gaze, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Just thinking about how vast this place is."

Meliodas nodded, his own eyes scanning the horizon. "It's a big world, Elizabeth. Full of surprises."

Unbeknownst to them, shadows began to gather on the distant edge of the desert—Marines preparing for the hunt.

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