16 Chapter 16: Set sail!

Thud---!

Splash--!

With the use of Coated Bubbles, my ship without any trouble, finally placed unto the nearby dock by hovering and let it flew up here for a couple of minutes. popping the bubble after, heavy sound reverberated from the said area while water splashes, enough to even caught the nearby spectators.

Witnessing this scene, people smile while some are surprised, and because Bubbles are quite normal if they visited the Aegis Fortress by how the Bondolas are working, majority didn't seem to amaze of the said bubble but still bewildered by this spectacle by none other than---

The Dreadnought Rotor.

With this out of this world ship design why people seemed to amaze by this view.

And yes, today is the day that I'm about to leave this island.

And because I'd never thought its a welcoming departure, many barrels and wooden boxes that some has the same size of mine, simultaneously put inside my ship after the bubble burst.

With many ladder is now placed on the side of my ship, many people momentarily climbed and even check what's inside out of curiosity.

"Oi oi, make sure not to cause any wreckage inside, this is once in a life time opportunity to sea Sikorsky's pirate ship so be mindful! and please fall in line! Oi you! Don't cut the line!"

It was the elder who climb first with his men who put many items to which I don't even have any idea what's inside.

I want to protest of this sudden development but Jiyah's father came forth and said: "Sky, what we give is only edible materials that lasted for a month, I'm sure its harsh to not have anything during your adventure, so we decided to give you the present you need best...you won't decline our gifts, yes?" He said so after patting my shoulder.

I don't have any reason to retort right now, can I? Is what I wanted to say. After all, boxes and barrels is already on my ship's deck.

But after that, he covers his mouth while mildly sweating "...or else Apache won't forgive us, letting you off without receiving anything"

Hmm? did I hear it wrong? I thought they're like best friends? Did father threaten the mayor of this island to give me this much?

"*Cough* w-welp, I'm sure if your father is here, he'll give you ten times more than what we gave!" But after then, he regain his composure, "So then, goodluck son, you knew you're like my second child next to my daughter so take good care as every journey ahead is unpredictable and dangerous. And don't forget to return home in one piece! Make sure not to worry your father!". So he said, and along with his wife, biological mother of Jiyah whom she inherit her elven bloodline, she only nodded after our eyes has met.

"Thank you mayor, I will come back for sure. After all, this is my home. Anyway, is it alright that everyone sees me off like this? Won't this event attract the attention of the world government?" I ask.

After all, like I always said. This country, this island is affiliated with none other than the world government. Not only just affiliated with but one of their many trusted company, or so my father explained.

Other than a hundreds of country who formed the world government until the current time. There are hidden country unbeknownst to everyone, and one of that is our island. Or in a nutshell, its the Rotor Company they actually affiliated with.

I don't actually know the history, but like how Germa who uses Science, Rotor Company that specialized in Mechanics is needed by the world government according to him. So, maybe this same reason why father is confident that he won't be punish even if his son becoming a pirate. I won't even be surprise if there's another hidden country affiliated with the world government like ours.

But because too much speculation won't do me good as that's not my forte to begin with, I let this thought aside for now as my adventure will finally begins here. My dream, my goals and my fate, will all starts here. . .

That's right, I believe that this is my destiny. The fate of Rotor D. Sikorsky.

With all that in mind, I ascended into the ship as most people finally left.

Entering again, I now realize that this ship is too big for a lone person like me. And looking at the big sail and the mast made of metal and adam wood combined, the control room at the back and the double artillery in forefront. I can't help but looking forward in my unpredicted voyage. Well, most of my future action has a reason to change the future itself, so yeah. Either way, I'm sure most of them are exhilarating and fun.

Anyway, after a few conversation with everybody. I look at the two childhood friends of mine, Jirod and Jarvan.

I couldn't help but smile, thinking about the adventure we've encountered and the first life and death we've faced together.

Wait...its only them. Where is Jiyah? I only realize it by now but she's not even here.

And another few more minutes passes by while armed across. I can't help but tap my sole repeatedly and anxiety filled me in.

I've been waiting for her since ages to say my goodbye but why she isn't here? Her parents seemed to worry right now while some people seated from afar, waiting for my final departure.

I don't know, but I feel anxious. Why was it?

Why she doesn't want to see me off? I kind of confuse and my heart feels like some small needle poking on it.

I remember our last conversation yesterday. And no matter how much I rack my brains out, I can't remember where I pissed her off.

"Floating island you say!?" At that time, I was quite a bit surprised. Its only a couple of topics ago as she explained why Mai isn't in the cave in the first place after I exited.

That is because, she had her fiance that's been kidnapped, and because of the order she couldn't defy not to leave the Red Line and protect the cave, she couldn't save her fiance. But her 'liberation plan' is started from the moment I lifted the 'curse' she's burdened with.

At first, I can't help but jaw drop from this sudden news, I never knew she had a fiance in the first place, but knowing she's alright and the face of abductors according to her illustrations, I can't help but sneer.

Because they're none other than the Golden Lion Pirates! Its Shiki, Dr. Indigo and that baboon who are supposedly be defeated by the strawhats!

Now, I have the lead who has my first crewmate and knowing she's alright! I clench my fists, hard enough to shake with excitement trying to suppressed from within. That time, I only thought of 'wait for me Mai! I'm coming to get you!'

"Yes! its been spotted a few months ago while clouds is at its thinnest. It even reflected to the sea as a mirage from time to time according to the cargo ship of Rotor Company who happens to passed by in the area" So she explained.

After that conversation, we've separated our ways but now that I finally realized, she looked down while saying the story, especially about Mai's sudden departure.

What happened anyway? I know they've become closer with each other's company for many months. That or, is there something on her story she doesn't want to tell me? Now that I realize it, I've finally become curious.

Thinking of our conversation and realize that its really the time to depart, I sigh heavily. I doze of thinking about that.

With still heavy feeling, I deeply breathed.

The Anchor retracted back as the sail flopped down and laid open.

"*sigh*" Again, with big and heavy sigh I look where everyone is and smile, "Goodbye my fellow citizen of Aegis Island. From now on, I Rotor D. Sikorsky is now officially a pirate!" with one arm raised high and form a fist, my ship slowly retreated away from the Aegis Island. Citizen cheered me on as I left.

And although not as grand as how other departed protagonist is. I won't complain. After all, we've already partied yesterday evening.

I inhaled deeply as my chest feels blank and empty, but I don't know the real reason.

After finally that the Island is out of my sight, I jumped down and seated and rested my back on the fore mast.

The newspaper in my hand is the current news of this world. But there's no indication or explanation on how Arlong Pirates was defeated. And for some reason, I find really troubled, knowing that I am late as the main story is already started.

Right now, my main destination is the floating island that's said to be spotted. Although there's this feeling that I won't met Mai, It is still an area I should be going. This might lead to where they are. After all, Shiki's island is floating and can go anywhere in the world.

: : :

Morning finally arrived and Jiyah's parents along with their neighbors, didn't stop lookin on her whereabouts with every nook and cranny inside the Aegis Island.

Although it is common occurrence that she didn't told where she went, she'll always return back home before the sunset, so her parents didn't worry. But right now. She's still missing in action.

At first, they assumed she's on her Circus team as this is the day they will perform but after her parents came by and ask her manager. They too, didn't have any idea where she went.

But the story is different on this two people. "Should we say it?"

Simultaneously, Jarvan and Jirod witnessed the frantic people that is looking for their friend, and it was Jarvan who said that word where weariness is visible in his face. Trying to keep this a secret pains him the most.

"Shhh, Please don't! Lets go with the flow. Do not look suspicious and maintain normalcy!"

While saying so, Jirod is actually the one who is sweated and shaking violently.

Its because they knew where Jiyah currently is. Just that, she said her goodbye in advance, the night during the banquet.

Concurrently, Sikorsky open his eyes as the sun slowly rising far and high. Unlike the others, Sikorsky has two standard forms thanks to his devil fruit and that were his human form and the slime form. If he wanted to take a nap, he can stay as a Human form and if he want an all nighter thanks to its seemingly limitless fatigue, he can maintain his Slime form. He decided to maintain his latter form during peaceful days once he gathered enough members but because its his first night, what he wanted is a peaceful nap.

Still sitting besides the ship's fore mast. He wiped off his drooling mouth, stands up and stretched up.

"I see it! The floating island!"

Suddenly, familiar voice entered on his ears as he subconsciously asks, "Really!? Then let's make haste!" He smiled but momentarily gone after realizing something.

Looking to where the voice is, he couldn't see what's inside the crows nest, but one thing he is sure of. He heard the voice coming from there. What's more. That voice is somewhat familiar.

"Up ahead, up ahead!"

After then, silhouette covers his vision as the said person, jumped down near his side.

Speechless.

He wanted to speak but words couldn't come out.

Should he be happy? Or should he reprimand her?

"Jiyah at your service, captain Sky!" With her salute pose and a piece of sailorman bandana tied on her neck. She smiled and greeted Sikorsky.

"N-no, why are you here?!" Sikorsky didn't look at her straight, and instead stepped back and asks. He don't know what's this surging feeling that's currently stabbing his stomach and throat, but one thing is for sure. He is happy. But he find it complicated at this point.

"Isn't it obvious? I'll accompany you on your journey from hereon! teehee~"

Sky is speechless. . .