One Piece; Full Counter!

Chapter 40: In the Heart of Alabasta

The sun blazed mercilessly over Alabasta's capital city, casting sharp, golden rays upon the sandstone buildings that lined the streets. The structures bore the distinctive architecture of the desert kingdom—domed rooftops, arched windows, and intricate patterns etched into their walls. The roads were wide and bustling with life, as though the midday heat was a trivial nuisance rather than the scorching trial it was.

The residents of Alabasta, accustomed to the relentless sun, went about their day with practiced ease. Vendors called out to passersby from their stalls, their voices blending into a harmonious cacophony with the sounds of footsteps and distant laughter. Children ran through the streets, their cheerful shouts ringing through the air, while adults haggled over prices or exchanged greetings.

The marketplace was the beating heart of the city. Stalls adorned with colorful awnings showcased an array of goods—shimmering silks, fresh produce, exotic spices, and intricate jewelry. The scent of roasted meat mingled with the earthy aroma of dried herbs, creating a rich tapestry of fragrances. The people moved through the market in steady waves, their faces glowing with joy and peace, a stark contrast to the tension that had gripped the kingdom just weeks ago.

Since the fall of the Shichibukai Crocodile, the shadow that had loomed over Alabasta had lifted. The people embraced this newfound peace with open arms, their spirits buoyant as they navigated their daily lives.

But the harmony of the marketplace was abruptly shattered.

"Out of the way! Clear the path!"

The urgent shouts of Marines sliced through the crowd, their commanding voices leaving no room for hesitation. Four Marines, clad in white uniforms and armed with gleaming swords, pushed through the throng. Their boots struck the ground with purpose, each step echoing with determination.

Ahead of them, a young boy darted through the streets, his light brown hair ruffled by the wind. His honey-brown eyes, tinged with an amber hue, flicked nervously between his pursuers and the path ahead. He clutched a green cushion adorned with darker patterns, his grip tightening with every shout behind him.

"Stop running, thief!" one of the Marines bellowed, his voice filled with frustration.

The boy's breath came in quick bursts as he dodged between carts and startled pedestrians. He turned a corner sharply, only to collide with something soft yet unyielding.

Elizabeth let out a surprised gasp as the boy crashed into her, sending both of them tumbling to the ground. The blue dress she wore flared around her as she landed, her silver hair cascading across her shoulders. The sack of fruit she'd been carrying slipped from her grasp, its contents soaring into the air in a vibrant explosion of colors.

The boy groaned, rubbing his head as he opened his eyes. His gaze locked onto Elizabeth's sapphire blue ones, her expression a mix of surprise and mild irritation as she mirrored his action.

"I-I'm sorry!" he stammered, scrambling to his feet. He brushed himself off hastily, his amber eyes scanning the ground for the scattered fruit.

But before he could react further, his gaze landed on Meliodas. The short figure stood with casual ease, the sack of fruit held securely in his hands. His green trousers and white shirt were untouched by the chaos, and the brown hood obscuring his face added an air of mystery.

Meliodas extended a hand to Elizabeth, helping her up with a small, reassuring smile. "Sorry about that," she said, brushing off her dress. "I was distracted."

The boy stared at them, his thoughts racing. How…? I didn't even see him move, and yet he caught all of the fruit so effortlessly.

The Marine shouts grew louder as the group approached, their swords gleaming under the sun. "There's no escape, Sin of Sloth! Stop running!"

The boy's amber eyes widened in alarm, his grip tightening on the cushion. "Damn it," he muttered under his breath. With a quick bow toward Elizabeth, he said hurriedly, "I'm really sorry, miss! I didn't mean for this to happen!"

He bolted into the crowd, weaving through the startled onlookers with the agility of a desert fox. The Marines followed closely, their heavy boots pounding against the ground.

Elizabeth watched the scene unfold, her expression calm but curious. Around her, the market buzzed with whispers and speculation, the air thick with intrigue.

"Sin of Sloth?" she murmured, turning to Meliodas. "That sounds a lot like your title… and Diane's."

Meliodas didn't respond immediately. His gaze had shifted to the ground, where the green cushion lay forgotten. He bent down, picking it up with a contemplative expression hidden beneath his hood.

"I wonder," he said softly, turning the cushion over in his hands, "just how many 'sins' exist in this world. Are they merely titles… or something more?"

Before Elizabeth could respond, a portly man in a yellow shirt and a merchant's apron rushed toward them, panting heavily. He extended a hand toward the cushion, his face red with exertion.

"Thank you, young man!" the merchant wheezed. "That thief stole this from me. It's mine!"

Meliodas's grip on the cushion tightened slightly as he straightened. The merchant reached for it, but Meliodas gently swatted his hand away. His green eyes, sharp and piercing, glinted from beneath his hood as he said, "This doesn't belong to you. There's no way something like this would be for sale in a market like this."

The merchant's face twisted in shock and anger. "How dare you accuse me?! Are you trying to steal it too?"

He cupped his hands around his mouth, shouting, "Guards! Marines! Someone help! These two are thieves!"

As the crowd stirred once more, Meliodas grabbed Elizabeth's hand. "Time to go."

Without waiting for a response, he pulled her through the marketplace, their pace quick but unhurried. He expertly navigated the sea of people, slipping between a butcher's cart and a clothing stall.

Behind them, three Alabasta soldiers arrived, their military uniforms pristine despite the heat. Their leather boots stomped against the ground as they listened to the merchant's frantic accusations.

Meanwhile, Meliodas led Elizabeth into the city's narrow alleyways. The towering buildings provided much-needed shade, their cool shadows a reprieve from the sun's blazing fury.

Elizabeth followed silently, her silver hair bouncing with each step. The sapphire necklace around her neck glinted faintly as it caught stray beams of sunlight. Despite the urgency, she couldn't help but notice how the rough stone walls of the alleys were etched with signs of life—faded posters, scrawled messages, and the occasional plant growing stubbornly from a crack.

After weaving through the maze-like passages, they finally stopped in a secluded spot where the sounds of the bustling streets were muted. Both leaned against a wall, catching their breath.

Elizabeth glanced at Meliodas, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. "Why did you protect that cushion? It's clear that boy was a thief."

Meliodas held the cushion up, his green eyes studying its intricate patterns. "This isn't just a cushion," he said, his voice thoughtful. "There's a strange energy coming from it."

Before Elizabeth could respond, a voice interrupted from above.

"You're absolutely right."

Their heads snapped up, eyes widening in surprise. Descending slowly from the rooftop was the same boy from the market. His honey-brown eyes were calm, his light brown hair tousled by the faint breeze. His hooded cloak billowed slightly as he floated down with an air of unshakable composure.

Elizabeth's eyes narrowed slightly as she studied him. "This is… the Sin of Sloth?"

The boy's feet touched the ground softly, his gaze fixed on Meliodas. Despite his youthful appearance and slender frame, there was a palpable strength in his presence.

The air between them grew tense, anticipation crackling like a distant storm.

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[A/N]

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