Struggling to regain his composure, Sakazuki found himself in a precarious situation, hanging from the edge of a cliff. His grip tightened, desperately holding onto the ledge as his Marine cap slipped from his head, succumbing to the scorching magma below, instantly incinerated. The loss of his cap was a small price to pay compared to the danger he found himself in.
As he looked up, Sakazuki's attention was drawn to the mysterious woman standing at the edge of the cliff, peering down at him with a hint of nervousness. His cheeks flushed slightly, realizing the awkwardness of his position and the potential impropriety of his gaze. Quickly averting his eyes, he focused on the task at hand, ensuring his safety before addressing the woman.
"Oi, oi! Are you okay?" Her voice was heavy with accent, letting the man know she was a native. It was now he'd noticed an empty basket in her hands. Was she coming up here to collect these flowers?
"Thank you for your concern," Sakazuki managed to say, his voice strained with effort. "I apologize for startling you." He attempted to regain his composure, he wasn't sure why he'd apologized at all, but the words slipped out absent mindedly.
She seemed flustered "EH!?" She hurriedly assisted him in dusting off the ash from his pristine marine uniform as he stood at his feet. "Why are you apologizing, Poi Poi is the one who knocked you off." She said, her voice egged naggingly at the mention of the name. This brought Sakazuki's attention to the large, winged beast that'd previously tried attacking him. It was now sheepishly lowering its head in shame as the woman nagged its actions. Sakazuki's expression softened as he observed the interaction between the woman and the beast. He could sense a unique bond between them, as if they had a deep connection.
Sakazuki observed the peculiar bird-like creature with keen interest. Its unique appearance intrigued him, as he had never encountered a creature quite like this before. Standing at about 2 meters tall, the creature possessed an impressive wingspan and stubby webbed feet.
What truly captivated Sakazuki was the creature's alligator-like face, complete with sharp teeth. The mouth ended with a beak-shaped tip on its mouth added to the creature's distinctiveness. It was a fascinating blend of different characteristics, making it truly remarkable.
Curiosity flickered in Sakazuki's eyes as he studied the creature from a safe distance. He contemplated the possibilities of its origins, wondering if it was a unique species or a rare mutation.
While the bird-like creature seemed sheepish and remorseful for its earlier actions, Sakazuki couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration for its extraordinary features. He made a mental note to report this encounter to the relevant marine researchers, hoping that they could shed some light on this intriguing creature.
Sakazuki observed the woman's respectful bow as she recognized the symbol of the Navy on his uniform. He maintained a cautious demeanor, still somewhat skeptical of this stranger, particularly after the earlier mishap. However, as she lifted her head, a cheerful smile graced her face, easing his distrust.
With grace and confidence, the woman extended her small hand towards Sakazuki, introducing herself. "I am Soléy, daughter of La and renowned warrior Dike' she said proudly, her ruby eyes shimmered like fire in the receding sunlight, captivating his attention.
Sakazuki's skepticism began to wane as he took note of her confident demeanor and the pride she carried in her heritage. He reciprocated the gesture, shaking her hand gently. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Soléy," he replied warmly. "I am lieutenant Commander Sakazuki."
He admired her fiery gaze and the strength that seemed to emanate from her. Despite their initial encounter, he now found himself intrigued by her presence and the stories her lineage might hold. He was shocked to hear about some form of militia on such a small island though. If it was of any significance, he would have to report such findings to the marines.
Soléy gave him a brief once over. "Wait, you're a marine... Are you here to aid us with defense?" she asked hopefully. Soléy's hopeful question lingered in the air, accompanied by a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes. She desperately longed for some kind of support for her people, yearning for the safety and protection that only the Marines could provide. Sakazuki couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as he averted his gaze, knowing that the reality did not align with her hopes.
He understood that only nations allied with the World Government received formal protection, and smaller, unrecognized territories like this one were often left to fend for themselves. The weight of this knowledge settled heavily on Sakazuki's shoulders, but he remained steadfast in his duty as a Marine commander.
Meeting Soléy's gaze once again, Sakazuki shook his head sternly, his tone firm yet compassionate. "No, that's not the case … I'm here on personal business," he replied, withholding the specifics of his visit. He didn't want to raise false hopes or disappoint her further.
Soléy's expression faltered, disappointment flickering across her face. However, she quickly regained her composure, understanding the limitations of her small community. "I see," she murmured, her voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
Sakazuki, too, felt a tinge of regret for not being able to offer the assistance she sought. He admired her resilience and determination, and he silently pledged to do what he could within his personal capacity to ensure their safety while he was there.
There was a moment of awkward silence before Soléy cleared her throat a gave a smile to the marine. "we've done fine this far anyway, right?" She said in a joking manner.
The girl huffed, seemingly frazzled by the whole ordeal. "Anyway, I was coming to collect some of the Ọkụ, but I think I might head back now." She said with an exasperated expression referencing the lovely flowers that sat along the rim of the volcano. She paused, blushing ever so slightly as she looked up at Sakazuki. "Ah, Sakazuki-san, I apologize if I interrupted you at all today..." She paused looking down at her feet shyly. "Please, let me share dinner with you." She offered sweetly, returning her gaze to his. Now he felt his cheeks flush at her offer. Surprising himself as he was never one to be flustered even around women.
With a composed yet slightly bashful tone, Sakazuki responded, "No need to apologize, Soléy. You didn't interrupt me at all. In fact, I would enjoy sharing dinner with you."
Soléy's face lit up with a mix of delight and relief, pleased by his acceptance. "Thank you, Sakazuki-san," she replied warmly, her voice carrying a genuine sense of gratitude. "I'll cook up something just for you, I got lots of fresh produce from the market today." She said excitedly, taking a few steps forward before looking back at the man. "Shall we?"
Sakazuki nodded, his blush fading as he regained his composure, starting after the girl at a respectful distance. Poi Poi who'd remained quite chirped and hissed happily at the mentioning of food as he followed the duo, scurrying along the jungle path.
Sakazuki could practically see Borsalino's mocking smirk as if he was here, not even a full day into his training and his plan had already delayed, leaving him forced to relax with a woman. As the trio made their way back down the mountain, the marine felt a feeling he hadn't in a long time.