OPTC Chapter 246 Dance at Dawn
"Mr. Tom, is our ship still fine?"
The fishman Tom chuckled. "Don't worry. Even though you've gone through all kinds of rough weather, this ship has been well cared for. She'll sail strong and proud!"
Zhang Da Ye had just returned from his shopping, while Ye Yan and Perona brought back their custom-made items. Everyone was checking the ship and supplies in preparation to set sail.
Artoria went easy today, only packing some specialty dishes from a few restaurants instead of exhausting the chefs in duels of endurance.
Tom couldn't stop drooling at the Bru rental shop's animals, so he ended up buying a lot of their favorite water-meat. Now, he sat at the stern with a fishing rod, hoping to catch wild Brus.
Perona hugged the stuffed bear she had just gotten, rubbing against it endlessly, even forgetting her beloved hot cocoa. Today, she had taken advice: tying her hair into a simple high ponytail and trading her usual dark princess outfit for something neat and fresh, giving her a more obedient look.
Rui Meng Meng and Ye Yan were inside the cabin, sorting and counting supplies. Food was neatly stocked in the storage room connected to the kitchen, while daily necessities were placed in the utility room.
Shark Chili and Brook stood with Zhang Da Ye at the shores of Scrap Island, bidding farewell to Tom's workshop crew.
Hearing the fishman Tom's confirmation of the Amber's condition reassured Zhang Da Ye. The ship was truly reliable—even after enduring countless storms and extreme weather, it still held strong. "Thank you so much!"
"Thahahaha, it's me who should thank you. Without you, I might never have had a chance to return to Fishman Island!"
"You're heading back to Fishman Island? Want us to give you a ride? We're just traveling anyway, no rush," Zhang Da Ye offered warmly.
"Thanks, but Miss Kokoro and I can just swim back. It's far more convenient than taking a ship."
"Oh, right, I forgot you don't need a ship at all." Zhang Da Ye grinned. "Then we'll take our leave. Please give our regards to King Neptune, Jinbei, and Dan."
Fishmen truly had such conveniences, and in terms of safety, Tom could lift a ship with one hand. If he trained in Fishman Karate seriously, he might not be any weaker than Jinbei.
Tom laughed heartily. "I'll be sure to pass it on."
"Mr. Da Ye, thank you for your help, and for your guidance. I will never forget this debt!" Iceburg bowed deeply.
"Huh? What guidance? Do you mean the events in Water 7?" Zhang Da Ye scratched his head. "No need to be so formal. We've troubled you plenty these past days."
Iceburg said nothing more, but Franky jumped out. "Oi! You may have beaten my battleship this time, but next time my work will blow you away!"
"Uh… good luck." Zhang Da Ye couldn't imagine what could be so shocking. Franky wasn't badly hurt this time, so he wouldn't remodel himself again… or worse, build Pluton on the spot.
What Zhang Da Ye didn't know was that while he was out shopping, Shark Chili had demonstrated his Shark Titan and Super Transformation forms at Franky's request, leaving the young shipwright deeply inspired. Who knew what he would build next.
At that moment, Rui Meng Meng came out of the cabin and shouted, "Boss! Supplies all checked. Everything's fine!"
"Good. Get ready, we're setting sail!" Zhang Da Ye answered.
Anchors up, sails raised—everyone had practiced these steps so often that the Amber soon slid from the docks. At the stern, the crew waved goodbye to Tom's workshop.
Even Tom, busy fishing, raised one hand to wave vigorously at his fishman namesake ashore.
The weather was good today, and the wind favorable. The Amber's sails billowed and quickly carried them away from the first stop of their journey.
The famous water city of Water 7 slowly turned from an island to a fountain in the distance, until it became a tiny dot.
Just as everyone was about to return to their posts, Tom the cat was suddenly yanked off the ship, flying into the horizon like a skipping stone.
He had hooked something strange, and before anyone could react, he was dragged away, bouncing across the waves headfirst and footfirst.
"Tom!"
"Mr. Tom! I'll save you right away!" Brook drew his cane-sword and leapt overboard.
Perona, panicked, threw aside her stuffed bear and jumped after him.
But the result was obvious—Devil Fruit users who fell into the sea sank instantly. Perona barely struggled before vanishing beneath the waves.
Brook managed better, being so light that he dashed across the surface for a short distance. Artoria even thought he, like her, had the blessing of a Lady of the Lake.
But his glory lasted only seconds. A wave crashed, and Brook screamed before sinking.
"You two! Stop making a mess and save him!" Zhang Da Ye dove headfirst, kicking powerfully toward the sinking Perona.
Shark Chili also dove in, speeding toward Brook.
"Jin Erpeng! Tidecaller Shark!" Ye Yan summoned two of his Flags. The golden roc flapped skyward, while the Tidecaller Shark swam fast toward Tom.
Artoria didn't know how strong the Flags were, so she dove in as well, running across the waves toward Tom.
Soon, Zhang Da Ye returned, carrying Perona over his shoulder. He climbed the rope ladder Rui Meng Meng lowered and gently set her on the deck. "You okay?"
"Cough, cough…" Perona spat out seawater, tears in her eyes. "So scary… I thought I was going to die! Waaaah…"
"It's fine now," Zhang Da Ye said. "Meng Meng, take her to wash up and change."
"Got it." Rui Meng Meng scooped Perona up. "Come on, or you'll catch a cold."
"I-I can walk myself…" Perona's cheeks flushed. "Uh… th-thank you all."
"No need. You wanted to save Tom, that's worth thanks." Zhang Da Ye thought to himself, This little girl isn't hopeless after all. Maybe my lessons these past weeks had some effect… or maybe Tom's just too cute.
"But… what about Tom?" Perona asked anxiously.
"Relax. Even if we all died, Tom would be fine. At worst he'll get chased by a shark or eaten once by a Sea King."
Perona's face went pale with horror. Rui Meng Meng sighed. "Boss, if you can't comfort people, maybe don't try."
"Uh… but I was telling the truth… fine, fine. Artoria went too, he'll be fine."
Perona finally calmed down and was taken below deck. Shark Chili soon returned, hauling Brook up.
Ye Yan and Zhang Da Ye crouched beside the skeleton while Shark Chili stood by. Ye Yan could sense Brook's soul was fine, but his body wasn't moving.
Shark Chili frowned. "I know how to resuscitate drowning humans… but how do you save a skeleton?"
Ye Yan poked Brook's skull. "Logically, skeletons don't breathe. He shouldn't drown. Wait—he's already dead. Can a dead man faint?"
Zhang Da Ye grabbed Brook's leg. "Maybe tickle his foot?"
"How cruel, Mr. Da Ye, Mr. Ye Yan, Mr. Shark Chili!" Brook suddenly shouted in protest.
Zhang Da Ye dropped his leg casually. "You're fine? Why didn't you say so earlier?"
"I just lost my strength from soaking in seawater. I only wanted to rest. And my eyes were open… ah, wait, I don't have eyes. Yohohoho~"
Brook sat up, laughed, then lay back down again. "Ahh, after soaking in seawater, I really don't want to move."
"This skeleton's hopeless. I'll go check on Tom." Zhang Da Ye prepared to dive again.
Ye Yan stopped him. "No need. I can telepathically link with my Flags. Jin Erpeng says they're fine and heading back."
Zhang Da Ye wrung water from his clothes. "Alright, I'll go change."
"Yohoho~ I should change too." Brook perked up again.
…
When Zhang Da Ye came back out, the deck already had a barbecue set up. Tom's catch had been cut into pieces by Artoria, ready for grilling.
The coals burned hot as Tom mixed sauces. Ye Yan skewered the meat.
"Perfect timing. Help out. Today's lunch: grilled Emperor Cowfish."
"You actually caught a Bru?" Zhang Da Ye sat beside Ye Yan to help. The Emperor Cowfish was the largest type of Bru.
Tom nodded proudly, finally ready to taste what he'd craved for days. He started grilling.
Brook leaned in, sniffing. "Yohohoho~ What an amazing aroma! My nose feels drunk, though…"
"Though you don't have a nose. Stop talking and help," Zhang Da Ye interrupted.
"Ah… Mr. Da Ye, don't say that…" Brook sulked.
Rui Meng Meng quickly sat down to help skewer.
Perona, after fussing with her stuffed bear, finally helped pass meat to Tom.
The first batch finished. Tom handed a skewer to Artoria, then two to Ye Yan—but shook his head and pointed at the Flags behind him.
Ye Yan understood. "You mean those two who helped drag the fish back?"
Tom nodded firmly. A good cat should be grateful.
Perona and Brook, who had swallowed seawater for his sake, also received consolation skewers.
Tom then picked up speed—sometimes using both hands and one foot to flip meat, while his tail brushed sauce.
When Tom played music, he could equal a whole orchestra. When cooking, he equaled several chefs.
Of course, the others joined in. Barbecuing was more fun when done together.
Zhang Da Ye held a skewer to Tom's mouth. "Try my cooking."
Tom bit, chewed, and grimaced, shaking his head.
"Not cooked? I'll grill more."
A while later, Zhang Da Ye tried again. Tom chewed, then his eyes brightened. Delicious.
"Cooked now?" Zhang Da Ye grinned, pulling the skewer back and eating it himself.
Tom: ?
Clearly, Zhang Da Ye had grown mischievous after spending too much time with Tom's antics.
Still, once he learned the trick, he properly fed Tom while letting the cat lounge on a deck chair, enjoying being spoiled.
The first day after leaving Water 7 passed peacefully. They ate, trained, or played cards. No one would ever complain about such days.
…
The next morning, as dawn broke, Zhang Da Ye went out for his daily exercises.
And saw… a chicken dancing.
To be precise, a person-sized yellow chicken costume with the word "Wen" written on its chest.
"Morning, Boss," said Ye Yan.
"Ye Yan… is this that saying, 'rise at dawn to train'?" Zhang Da Ye asked.
"Exactly. This is my art performance: 'Dancing at Dawn!'" Ye Yan announced proudly. "I was inspired by you waking up every day to train. They say art comes from life, and you understood it instantly."
"Heh… what an honor." Zhang Da Ye stretched casually. "If you're tired, go rest. I'll watch outside."
"No need. I'm full of energy! Dancing at dawn isn't about going back to bed, it's about training. I'll join you." Ye Yan was serious—once art was made, it had to capture the spirit.
"Well… normally people who rise at dawn don't stay up all night… but fine." Zhang Da Ye thought, even if he mocked Ye Yan's weak constitution, the man wasn't ordinary anyway.
And so, a new day aboard the Amber began, in a strangely motivational atmosphere.
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