Arrival At Tree Top Tower!
It had been an entire day since the events at Shells Town.
The ship sailed calmly on the tame seas of the East Blue. Seagulls cried in the sky as they flew in a circle type of pattern directly above the ship.
The only thing that kept Tylias' mind off his empty stomach was the seagulls. Not because they were interesting, but because it could possibly be his next meal.
Julia and Tylias lay on the deck, staring into the sky, trying to cool off and stop thinking about food.
Unfortunately, he didn't think to empty some of the fish out of the sack before he used it as a disguise.
"Julia…" he said weakly, "Why do my plans always backfire?"
Julia turned her head to face the half-naked captain that lay helplessly on the ground.
"Because you're an idiot?
Tylias moaned out loud.
"My dad used this as a fishing boat before he gave it to me, and I never thought to ask him for his fishing gear"
Hearing this, she laughed weakly, "If that isn't an insult to injury then I don't know what is"
They both continued to watch the seagulls fly freely in the sky. The seagulls began to squawk loudly, continuing to fly around in their pattern.
"They're mocking us" he pointed, slowly lifting his hand. "Go get em', Julia"
"Me?" she chuckled. "Why don't you?"
"Because I don't have that sword thingy" he replied back. "Aren't you hungry, too?"
"Not enough to force myself up" she yawned lazily, stretching her legs and arms.
"Great. We're tired AND hungry" the captain sighed.
Only minutes had passed and Tylias managed to stand on his feet. The sun felt like it was hammering him back due to the intense heat. She looked at Julia, who was still on the ground, and noticed she was still wearing the same clothes as before.
The clothes were brown, dirty, torn and basically meant Trunks owned you, as all of his other works wore the same clothing.
"You should take off those clothes" he pointed out.
Julia immediately sat up and looked at him as if she saw a ghost.
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
"Oh" he waved frantically, "not like that! I mean – "
He was cut off by Julia's fist that swung right at his head.
A giant red lump had grown from where she had hit, leaving Tylias dazed and confused.
"I didn't mean it like that" he slurred, toppling over.
She sighed deeply as she stared out into the distance.
"When we get to Logue Town, we need to buy some clothes" she stated.
"I hear ya'" he agreed, "We also need a Navigator, otherwise how else are we gonna get to the grand line"
[Meanwhile in Shells Town – 153rd Branch Marine Base]
Shells Town was currently getting the same treatment by the scorching hot weather. Marines that roamed outside had taken off their traditional marine hats and unbuttoned their shirts, some of which revealed battle scars from previous battles on their chests.
However, one Marine looked down in all of this. He groaned as drops of sweat drenched his forehead. When the door to his supposed office swung open, he quickly wiped it away and putting on a brave face.
"Oh, it's you" the marine sneered. "Why haven't you been taken to Impel Down yet?"
Trunks stood by the door with armed Marines by his side, his nose was covered in tissue and his face bruised.
"All in due time" he wheezed, "but first, there's a certain pirate you should know of"
The Marine sighed, "We're done taking orders from you. The fact you even paid us off in the first place puts me to shame." He looked back out the window to see his comrades wandering around. "Two weeks without food as punishment. Four weeks for me"
Trunks chuckled, pulling out his usual cigar like he always does. "Well money can be very influential, especially in times of great need, Lieutenant Rokkaku"
"Just shut up!" he barked, "And what "certain pirate" are you talking about?"
Trunks cooed as the memories came flooding back to him. Being uppercut, having your swordswoman turn against you and then being thrown over the base wall.
"He's not very well-known. From what I know, he's called 'Tylias'"
"Tylias?" Rokkaku said, stroking his beard. "Was this the guy that threw you over the wall?"
"Not exactly" he replied hatefully, "But still, he's a devil fruit user"
"In the East Blue? Strange… The Grand Line is swarming with devil fruit users nowadays, but it's been quite a while since I heard one in East Blue" he said.
"Well I only came here to let you know of his ANNOYING existence" he finally said, ready to take leave. "Before I go, you should know that my partner betrayed me. You know who she is"
Rokkaku's eyes widened. He knew exactly who he was talking about.
"You don't mean Julia, do you?"
"The very same" he nodded, "so you know what to do, as per our agreement"
"WAIT!" he hissed, grabbing Trunks' attention. "Just remember, as soon as we place the bounty, you're not allowed back in here. Is that clear?"
He shrugged and replied, "Indeed. And I'll rest peacefully in Impel Down knowing that the Marines are on the case"
Rokkaku, after waiting for Trunks to leave, picked up the Transponder Snail that sat idly on his desk and made a call.
"This is Lieutenant Rokkaku with a request"
He then paused briefly and spoke again. "I request a bounty to be placed on Julia. Julia Wells"
[Back at an unknown location in East Blue]
"Are we there yet?" the bored captain droned on. "Are we there yet?"
"WOULD YOU BE QUIET?!" the furious swordswoman screamed. "It's still a while to go!"
They both sat in the kitchen area, keeping out of the heat.
Tylias stared at Julia's sword in admiration. He quite liked the colour red and the carvings on it.
"Can I see that sword?" he requested.
"Nope" she replied flatly, twiddling her thumbs. She then stared at Tylias' bandanna that was wrapped around his bicep. "Can I see that bandanna?"
Tylias gasped in terror, covering his red bandanna with his hand.
"Nobody gets to touch my lucky bandanna!"
"Lucky bandanna?" she scoffed, "What's so lucky about it?"
"I don't know" he shrugged, not taking his eye off the katana that sat so openly on the table. "But it helped this one time when I was –"
He then charged from his seat, grabbing onto the sword before Julia could react. "GOT IT!"
He then ran out of the kitchen area and on to the deck.
"YOU'RE DEAD!" she yelled, chasing after him.
She kicked open the door to see Tylias remained still on the deck and he was staring into the distance.
Julia had instantly noticed why. In the distance sat a large tower. On top of the tower was a disc shaped platform that branched out to other several large platforms like a tree branch. The tower had reached as high as the clouds.
"This day… Just got a whole lot more exciting"
As the ship sailed closer to the gigantic tower, the disc shaped platforms from above had created massive shadows beneath it. As the ship passed under one, everything had gone dark and cold due the shadow being that huge.
"What the heck is this place?" Julia said, completely shocked.
"I don't know!" Tylias cheered in excitement, "But let's check it out!"
The eager captain was literally shaking in awe at the massive platforms. As they sailed beneath, coming close to a massive and expanding port, it became clear how these platforms were connected.
There were bridges connecting the discs, and some thick metal girders were supporting the discs. The girders were all attached to the main tower and simply stretched out.
The ship had finally reached the port. The port was decorated and had wooden floorboards instead of the usual concrete as ground to step on.
As Julia threw the anchor, a man walked up to greet them. He bowed politely, lowering his head and then straightened himself.
"Welcome to Tree Top!" he stated clearly in an oddly thick posh accent. "I, whilst you enjoy yourselves, will be taking care of the ship"
"COOOOOOOOOOOL!" Tylias erupted in a cheer, blood shooting out of his nose.
"Excuse me, - uh – sir? What is this place?" the swordswoman asked politely, trying not to be embarrassed by her captain.
"This, madam, is the 'Tree Top' tower. It is home to sport events and championships," the posh butler answered. "Most notably the Archery championship. I assume you have money for entry?"
Julia had rushed into the kitchen area and into the storage deck and grabbed a large pile of coins from the treasure sack.
Love hearts began to appear in her eyes. "Will this cover it?" she said in awe.
The butler had laughed aloud and took a small pile from her hands, "Of course. Please enjoy your stay. Here are your tickets"
Julia grabbed hold of the still bleeding Tylias and the tickets and rushed out of the port area and ascended the long climb to the top of the tower.
The steps spiralled all the way up until it reached the top, like the steps in the Marine base at Shells Town.
"What's your problem? Let go of me!" he yelled while struggling to get her to let go of him.
"Archery!" she panted, rushing up the steps, "Is my favourite sport!"
"I thought you liked swords and stuff?"
"Well duh," she rolled her eyes, "But Archery is maybe my second favourite thing ever!"
The rushing pirate carrying her captain almost reached the top. Looking down was one of the worst mistakes Tylias could have ever made during the run upwards. The line of ships and sailboats that were anchored below were now just small dots at this point.
"You can let go of me now!"
She dropped him to the ground and ran off, leaving dust behind.
"Come on, let's go!"
"Nah, you're on your own. I'm gonna look around"
He stood up, wiping dirt off his shirt and scanned the area. He was immediately met with hundreds of people walking around, laughing and talking, and enjoying the luxurious day. Some carried merchandise and food such as cotton candy and lollipops. Kids ran around, giggling and playing with toy swords and slingshots. "Wait," Tylias said to himself, "Is this really a sports complex?"
(*grumble*)
His stomach growled with hunger. He hadn't eaten anything since Shells Town which was yesterday, although for him, it felt like an eternity.
He covered his stomach and bent down to cover the noise. Another grumble sound from his stomach was followed by a small moan from Tylias. "That's right," he moaned, "I'm still hungry!"
He looked around as the crowds of people still marched to the left of the platform, rushing through some of bridge, and onto the next platform. "Need food!"
"Hungry, kid?" a voice echoed to his ears from behind.
He snapped around to see an armed Marine. "I have some money here, if that'll help?"
"Is this some kind of trick?"
Tylias held out his hand with hesitation and the Marine placed coins on the palm of his hand.
"Where are your parents?"
"P-P-Parents?" the pirate, Tylias stuttered in disbelief.
The Marine smiled and walked off before patting Tylias on the head.
The pirate stood for a while and watched the Marine walk away into the crowd while he wrapped around his mind on what just happened. "He thought I was a kid?"
Suddenly another person approached from behind. This time he was pushed out of the way.
"Watch it, kid!" the person yelled before disappearing like the Marine.
"I'M NOT A KID!"
[Julia's POV]
Julia stood among various other people waiting in a long cue.
She rolled her eyes and continued, for what seemed like the tenth, to observe her surroundings.
The butler at the port was right that 'Tree Top' tower was known for Archery Championships, as it looked like everybody wanted to watch the event.
Directly above her was a sign that clearly stated: West Wing.
The line to the stadium finally started moving and she could notice other things. What immediately caught her attention was another platform to the right. She could only assume that it was the North Wing to the tower, as it was connected to every other platform using bridges.
The line was now growing thinner and she was beginning to close in on the stadium. Outside of the cue were citizens that sat on grassy hills watching a massive screen, which looked like to be live coverage of the event. Whatever this place was, it was huge. Her legs were still quivering at the thought of the huge platforms collapsing beneath them, meaning everybody would plummet into the ocean.
Voices suddenly roared from the stadium as a booming voice could be heard.
"To start off the prelims, we have Hunter Calasky making his way to the stage!"
At the rate in which the cue was moving, all she could see was a boy wearing a cape making his way out into the centre of the stadium.
Her eyes glistened as she noticed the archer was wearing a long bow around his back, with the string of the bow being around his chest.
It was love at first sight.
AN:
This is the start to the 3rd Arc! I wrote pages worth of notes for this Arc, so if It's definitely going to be a good one!
Thanks for reading! One Piece belongs to Eiichiro Oda