Twilight's End A New Dawn

Chapter 13: A Week Off at Sabaody Archipelago

The sun filtered through the canopies of the mangrove trees of Sabaody Archipelago, casting soft patterns of light across the bustling docks. The scent of saltwater mixed with the aroma of food stalls and the hum of activity. It was a rare sight: The Umbra, Selene's sleek vessel, anchored peacefully at the edge of the harbor. Its dark hull gleamed as workers carefully applied a fresh coat of paint to prepare it for its next voyage.

For once, Selene and her crew had a week off, a brief reprieve from the duties and burdens of being one of the Navy's most unpredictable assets. Sabaody's vibrant streets offered them a chance to unwind—though, as always, Selene kept a watchful eye on her surroundings. She knew Sabaody was a dangerous place, especially with the presence of pirates, bounty hunters, and slavers.

The Crew Relaxes—For Now

Selene's second-in-command, Lieutenant Ren, grinned as she adjusted her coat. "A whole week off, huh? I don't even remember the last time we weren't chasing someone or putting out fires."

Selene leaned against the railing, her eyes scanning the crowd but her posture relaxed. "Even shadows need to rest, Ren." She glanced at the workers applying the new coat of paint to The Umbra's sleek hull, giving a small nod of approval. "Let the crew stretch their legs. But tell them to stay sharp. Trouble never stays quiet for long."

Ren smirked. "You think pirates are gonna try something?"

Selene's smile was calm but knowing. "It's Sabaody. Someone always tries something."

Exploring the Mangrove Markets

As Selene and her crew spread out across the archipelago, she decided to take a walk through the bustling markets. The streets were filled with exotic goods from across the Grand Line—treasures, rare herbs, and strange artifacts. But Selene was more interested in observing the people.

Her amber eyes flicked between bounty hunters eying wanted posters, pirates haggling over ship repairs, and slavers lurking in the shadows. Sabaody was a chaotic blend of ambition and desperation, and she wanted to ensure her crew didn't get caught in the middle of it.

A Familiar Presence: Old Faces and Rumors

While wandering the market, Selene noticed a few familiar faces among the crowd—pirates she'd encountered on previous missions, and a few underworld figures who recognized her instantly. Most of them gave her a wide berth, aware of who she was and what she could do. A few whispered her name with hushed fear.

"That's Selene the Moonblade... Why's she here?"

"She doesn't usually stop in places like this..."

Some of the pirates exchanged nervous glances, wondering if she was here on a mission—but Selene wasn't interested in them. She kept walking, her presence calm yet commanding. Even without raising a weapon, she left ripples wherever she went.

An Unexpected Encounter

As Selene approached a quiet section of the market, she caught sight of a group of familiar uniforms—Marines. Among them stood Coby and Helmeppo, their eyes wide with excitement as they browsed through the stalls.

Selene approached silently, watching the two young Marines with amusement. Coby, eager as always, was marveling over a collection of rare maps, while Helmeppo tried (and failed) to act cool as he haggled over a pair of sunglasses.

"Fancy seeing you two here," Selene said smoothly, her voice cutting through the din of the market.

Coby jumped, spinning around in shock. "Ad-Admiral Selene!"

Helmeppo almost dropped the sunglasses, his face flushing. "We weren't slacking off! Honest!"

Selene chuckled softly. "Relax. It's a week off. Even Marines need to breathe." She gestured toward the market stalls. "Enjoy it while you can."

Coby grinned, clearly relieved. "Thank you, Admiral! It's nice to have a break from training."

Selene gave him a small nod, her expression softening for just a moment. "You're doing well, Coby. Keep it up."

Helmeppo puffed out his chest proudly. "We'll be the best, Admiral. Just you wait!"

Selene smiled faintly, but her sharp eyes never stopped scanning the crowd. Even in moments of peace, she stayed alert.

A Storm on the Horizon

As Selene continued through the market, her instincts stirred. Something felt... off. A subtle shift in the air—a tension that only someone with her sharp senses would notice.

"Ren was right," Selene murmured to herself, glancing toward the harbor. "Trouble's always just beneath the surface."

She knew better than to assume Sabaody would stay peaceful for long. The pirates roaming the island were desperate and unpredictable, and the world beyond the island was shifting. With Luffy and the other Supernovas rumored to be in the area, and the Navy's presence growing stronger, it was only a matter of time before everything exploded.

A Quiet Warning

Returning to The Umbra, Selene found Lieutenant Ren waiting for her at the docks. "Anything interesting?" Ren asked with a grin, her arms crossed.

Selene gave a small shrug. "The usual. Pirates, slavers, and Marines pretending to be off duty." She glanced out toward the harbor, where storm clouds gathered in the distance. "But something's brewing. Be ready."

Ren nodded, the grin fading from her face. "You think it's gonna get ugly?"

Selene's gaze remained fixed on the horizon. "It's Sabaody. It always gets ugly."

End of Chapter 16: Shadows Before the Storm

As the workers finished the new coat of paint on The Umbra, Selene stood at the helm, her hands resting lightly on the rail. Her week off wasn't going to be as peaceful as planned.

A storm was brewing, and Selene intended to be ready when it hit. Whether it came from pirates, slavers, or Marines... her shadow would be there to meet it.

Because in the chaotic world of Sabaody Archipelago, only those who moved through the shadows survived. And Selene "The Moonblade" was always one step ahead.