"This is my ship. I am Orpheus Chronos, the captain here. Hello, little one. What's your name?"
Looking at the small tanuki before him, Chronos greeted with a smile.
"Captain?!" The little tanuki was startled, then immediately knelt down and respectfully bowed to Chronos.
"Hello, Captain Chronos. My name is Patton, the tanuki!"
As expected, the Mythical Zoan- Bake-danuki Fruit Ability User, Patton.
"No need to be so formal. Drop the honorifics and just call me Chronos. That's what my friends call me."
Chronos was very amiable, after all, the one before him was just a little tanuki who knew nothing and only wanted to follow the boss who had saved him.
It seemed that Red Count's inner conflict hadn't been resolved yet, as he still chose to remain alone.
To become a silver-tier player on this vast sea in such a confused state—one can only wonder if Red Count, with a clear heart, could reach the gold tier.
"Okay, Captain Chronos!"
Patton smiled happily, then lowered his head and tapped his hands together before looking up to ask.
"Um, Captain?"
"Yes?"
"May I ask about your route? I seem to have gotten separated from my boss. I need to find him!"
His tone was resolute, the little tanuki's heart simple and sincere.
"We're heading to Torrance Island to search for something. What about you?"
Chronos didn't hide anything, pondering Patton's abilities while feeling a slight desire to poach him.
"Torrance!"
Patton jumped for joy, then paced back and forth a few times before looking seriously at Chronos.
"Captain Chronos, may I travel with you? My boss told me we're going there too!"
"Of course, no problem. It's on the way."
"Yay!"
Patton laughed with a tanuki-like chuckle.
...
Soon after, the crew came up on deck, and Chronos introduced Patton to them.
Everyone was surprised by this talking little tanuki. Jackie Chan even thought Patton might be from the Mink Tribe.
Unfortunately, Patton denied it himself.
"What kind of creature am I? Hmm, I don't know either. In my memory, I was in a dark, pitch-black place, and my boss saved me!
My boss said I'm a tanuki, so Patton must be a tanuki."
"But how can a tanuki talk... Hmm, a dark place."
Jackie Chan fell into thought. Could it be some of Pops' strange magic?
Chronos, however, had some guesses. He looked at Patton and asked:
"Patton, do you remember a strange uncle with a very big head?"
"Oh!"
Patton nodded repeatedly, clearly having a strong impression.
"Yes, yes! The big-headed uncle said his name was Vegapunk, and he said something about me being a success, but I didn't really understand."
"That settles it. I've heard rumors about this. Dr. Vegapunk is researching how to make objects eat Devil Fruits to gain abilities.
Most likely, Patton, you are a pen that ate the Tanuki Transformation Fruit. Perhaps we could call you the Pen Tanuki?"
Chronos pondered, even Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits could be used for experiments. Truly worthy of Dr. Vegapunk.
But as for Mythical Zoans... he wasn't sure if in this world, Dr. Vegapunk had invented the Second-Generation Azure Dragon Fruit through studying Kaido.
If it existed, it could be a backup option.
"Eh, I'm a pen tanuki!?"
Upon hearing this, Patton showed a shocked expression. He genuinely didn't know what species he was.
The others around also wore varied expressions.
An object eating a Devil Fruit...
This somewhat exceeded their life experiences.
"No wonder..."
Jade looked at Patton's tail, which was completely shaped like a pen.
"Technology nowadays is truly amazing."
Jackie Chan patted his head and sighed, feeling somewhat outdated himself.
"Never mind, no issues. Then we'll just take on an extra pen tanuki heading the same way."
Chronos concluded finally, and with no objections from the others, Patton successfully boarded the ship.
Looking at the distant sky, yesterday's dark clouds had melted away like burning candles, revealing a clear expanse.
"Alright, prepare to set sail!
Jun Shiro and Little Fu Gui, go prepare breakfast. The rest of you, dismissed for now. Go about your own tasks."
Chronos said casually, hands in his pockets.
Electricity flowed into the Ark Maxim, and as a series of startup sounds echoed, the horizon prepared to welcome more travelers.
Having Patton play with the children, Flam conducting his daily hull inspection, Jackie Chan preparing his lessons...
Before finalizing the method for landing on the island, Chronos glanced at Moria and, after some thought, said:
"Originally, I just planned to take you and Little Perona camping, but now there's a situation. We might face big trouble later. Do you want to disembark?"
"Huh?"
Moria grunted discontentedly, "What do you mean? Don't tell me you think I'm a weakling?"
It had to be said Moria's physique was astonishing. Although Chronos had only inflicted some superficial wounds yesterday, Moria had already mostly recovered.
"We might have to face legends of this sea next." Chronos gave a final warning, his expression unprecedentedly serious.
Moria noticed it and then laughed heartily.
"In that case, it suits me just fine!"
Chronos also nodded with a smile, "If we get through this journey, I'll tie you up and drag you aboard if I have to."
Moria's lips twitched. Repaying kindness with enmity?
...
The Ark Maxim cut through the sky. Gradually, an island appeared before Chronos standing at the bow.
It was a colorful island, but upon closer inspection, one would find most of the colors came from sea driftage—trash!
Jackie Chan stepped forward, providing real-time popular science:
"Although Torrance Island declined due to war, its relatively mild climate gradually attracted a group of refugees to settle.
With scarce resources on the island, the residents built new homes using materials drifting in from the sea.
In other words, this is a city of trash, but also a newborn town."
Jackie Chan spoke eloquently, his scholarly aura flowing out, making the children exclaim in awe.
"Uncle Dragon, you're really cool right now~"
Jade gave a thumbs-up.
Jackie Chan smiled. Teaching through entertainment had always been his direction.
Chronos nodded. This also matched what he knew from the game's storyline.
The town was essentially in ruins, with many of its buildings having been newly constructed thanks to the efforts of the main group.
At that moment, Patton, standing nearby, produced a leaf from his hand. After smearing something on it, he tossed it upward. With a poof, it transformed into a telescope.
Aiming it at the distant island, Patton's excitement was palpable.
"Fantastic, that's Torrance!"
"Patton, are you eager to see your boss?"
Jade moved closer, looking at Patton as she asked.
"Mm-hmm, I want to stay by my boss's side and become his greatest support, tanuki-tanuki!"
Patton said happily. Ever since his boss had rescued him, this had been his goal!
Jade scratched her head, her hair still somewhat fluffy—her afro hadn't fully settled yet.
"If that's the case, then won't we have to part ways?"
Although their time together had been brief, Jade had grown quite fond of this little fellow.
Seeing Jade's disappointment, Patton grew a bit flustered, but he ultimately said:
"Sorry, Jade, but I must stay by my boss's side, tanuki-tanuki!"
"Jade, sometimes parting is for the sake of a better reunion. Do you understand?"
Jackie Chan walked over, chiming in at just the right moment.
Jade nodded silently.
"I understand. Then, Patton, I wish you success in finding your boss!"
"Mm, thank you, Jade, tanuki-tanuki!"
Patton nodded, smiling brightly.
"Alright."
Chronos clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention, and continued:
"I sense an unusual aura on this island. What lies ahead may not be an adventure but danger, so I must ask you, Jade, to behave.
Jackie Chan, Tohru, and Moria—the four of us will go ashore first to scout the situation. If it's safe, we'll bring everyone else to the island to take a look.
Jun Shiro and Flam, please watch the ship. Angeles, you're responsible for keeping an eye on the children.
Any questions?"
Jackie Chan nodded firmly—a perfect plan. After all, an unknown island was no joke!
"Aw, come on~"
Jade was deflated. If they had to wait, wouldn't all the excitement be gone by the time they got to go down?
"Jade, remember the lesson from yesterday."
Jackie Chan tapped Jade's afro, making her feel even more frustrated.
Angeles nodded with some disappointment. A night had passed, and she was actually almost fully recovered—Sky Warriors weren't that fragile.
Seeing this, Jade blinked, and an idea suddenly formed in her mind.
"Jade, if I see any of you on the island without permission, the punishment will be even more severe."
Sensing Jade's mischievous nature, Chronos issued another warning.
Although, given Red Count's temperament, he was unlikely to harm children, they couldn't rely on his mood. What if Red Count was in a bad mood?
"Oh, bother!"
Ignoring Jade's imitation of a troublemaker, Chronos once again charged the Ark Maxim.
Only after confirming it could float in the sky for over a month did Chronos decide to set off.
"Patton, come here. We're landing."
Chronos said finally, letting Patton climb onto his shoulder. This little tanuki truly knew nothing—it was best to treat him normally.
Then, electricity began to manifest around him, gradually enveloping Jackie Chan and the other two. With that, he took the three of them and flashed down to the ground.
"Wait, Chronos, this is too..."
Jackie Chan sensed something was off, his expression changing. Before he could even utter a refusal, the next second he was being carried toward the ground.
The scenery before his eyes shifted rapidly, the rush of air sliding past his ears.
"Aaaaaahhhh…"
The lingering echoes of his scream seemed as though they would hang in the air for three days without fading.
Soon, the four of them landed on the ground. Chronos looked at Jackie Chan, puzzled. "It wasn't that exaggerated, was it?"
"Sorry, let me catch my breath."
Leaning against Tohru, Jackie Chan didn't hide his emotions in the slightest. An emergency landing under controlled circumstances and a forced landing when you're completely helpless—they were two entirely different things!
Tohru remained relatively steady. After all, he was the kind of tough character who could be sent flying through a skyscraper wall by a single flick of Saint's finger, plummet over a dozen floors, and come away with nothing more than a scratch on his arm.
Moria picked up his large blade, scanning the surroundings but finding nothing unusual.
"Where's this 'legend' you mentioned?"
"I said, it's just a possibility."
Chronos replied casually, then gently set Patton down on the ground.
"Patton, go find your boss. We have our own target to look for."
"Mm!"
The little tanuki nodded vigorously, then waved goodbye to Chronos.
"Goodbye, everyone! Once I find my boss, we'll meet again!"
Watching Patton run off into the distance, Chronos officially began leading the group into action.
Before long, the four entered the town. Chronos instinctively tried to find a bar first, but there wasn't one—only a restaurant.
"So why were we looking for a bar first?"
Jackie Chan was confused. He didn't drink!
"Because there's no better place to gather information than a bar. But since there isn't one, a restaurant will do."
Chronos explained. Back in the day, he had even met Pops Whitebeard in a bar.
Unfortunately, as a newly developed island, Tolans Island had no bars, only a restaurant, and even the restaurant felt somewhat deserted.
"Hello, welcome! What would you like to order?"
As soon as they entered, a little girl wearing glasses greeted them energetically.
Chronos looked at her, feeling a sense of familiarity. Hadn't he seen this bespectacled girl in a game before? Though back then, she was probably an adult.
"Hello, little miss. We'll take a few of your signature set meals. Oh, and do you have donuts?"
"Of course, we have donuts~"
The bespectacled girl replied cheerfully, picking up a pen to jot down their order.
"Then bring three servings for Tohru."
As he spoke, Chronos glanced at Tohru.
"Will three servings be enough?"
"Of course, thank you, sir!"
Tohru grinned sheepishly. The feeling of someone remembering his preferences made him feel warm inside.
Even though they had already eaten breakfast, for martial artists like them, there was always room for a little more in their stomachs.
Except for Jackie Chan, that is. He rubbed his belly with a troubled expression, having already eaten his fill under the culinary skills of Jun Shiro and Little Fu Gui.
In the end, Tohru polished off the leftovers.
After the meal, Chronos wiped his mouth. The flavor of the dishes here was quite good. How to describe it…
It tasted like home?
"The food was excellent, ma'am. By the way, could I ask you something?"
Turning to the restaurant's head chef and cashier—likely the bespectacled girl's mother—Chronos posed his question.
"Of course."
The proprietress replied with a smile. This was a rare, big-spending customer.
"This is an archaeologist from the Great Kingdom, named Jackie Chan. He's here for the ruins on this island. Could you kindly give us some information?"
Chronos borrowed Jackie Chan's reputation and directly addressed the proprietress.
Jackie Chan was taken aback but still obediently took out his archaeology certificate.
The innkeeper gave it a quick glance, smiled shyly, and said straightforwardly:
"Ruins? There are plenty of them around here. But as you know, people like us aren't exactly in a position to protect them, so..."
Jackie Chan nodded with a pained expression. Of course he understood—many ruins held treasures, but later generations would take them for money, since 'no one claimed them anyway.'
"However, there are a few places that haven't been excavated yet because they're full of traps. I can provide you with maps."
The innkeeper smiled, though with a hint of slyness.
"Normally, I'd charge for this, but since it's your first time on this island, I'll give them to you for free."
"Really? Thank you so much!" Jackie Chan was overjoyed. There were still good people in the world!
"Much obliged. Also, could we reserve dinner in advance?" Chronos asked.
"Of course!" The innkeeper's eyes crinkled into a smile.
Patting Jackie Chan on the shoulder, Chronos explained that this was just how social interactions worked.
...
"Let me see, the west side..."
Leading the group to the western part of the island, Chronos hadn't even had time to survey the surroundings when a sudden sense of foreboding welled up inside him.
He looked up, and the sight before him left him speechless.
"Did any of you notice those two towering peaks here earlier?"
The three of them were stunned, then shook their heads in unison. They hadn't paid attention to such details.
Gazing at the towering valley that seemed to have been split right down the middle, Chronos let out a resigned laugh.
"Well, we're in trouble now. If I'm not mistaken, this place is called God Valley."
"Wait, God Valley!"
Jackie Chan suddenly exclaimed. Wasn't that the place where that great battle happened over a decade ago...
Boom! A cannonball suddenly exploded right before their eyes, like the opening salvo of a war.
Jackie Chan and the others turned back in terror, only to realize they had somehow wandered right in front of that valley—the very heart of the battlefield!
The Marines' alarm bells blared incessantly, and a piercing broadcast assaulted their eardrums.
"East side of the island: the notorious Rocks Pirates are attacking!"
"West side: the Roger Pirates are attacking!"
"South side: the Garp Pirates have landed!"
"North side: the Great Kingdom's army has landed!"
...
Hearing those legendary names ringing in their ears, even Moria was momentarily stunned.
"Hey, hey, hey, what's going on here?!"
"You could think of it as a trial—or a joke—from an old-timer."
Chronos said solemnly, crackling electricity surging in his hand.
"Don't worry, it's an illusion. But we absolutely can't let our guard down. Otherwise, we might really be done for!"