58. The Journey Ahead
05-19-2024
A/N: For a heads-up, I'm doing a lot of skipping in this chapter because a majority of it is scientific info dump and I don't wanna just copy it word-for-word. I wanted to get to the island right away lol
Q: What's your favorite part of the Treasure Island Arc?
-----
On September 10, 5741, the ship was completed. Kaseki and many of the engineers who worked on the ship were overjoyed with their finished work, while may others congratulated each one of the Kingdom of Science's citizens for their tenacity. Thus, came the celebration of the age of exploration and the preparation for the journey.
"Seems too good to be true, huh, Senku?"
The scientist was staying back from those who were partying the night away by the newly created ship. You approached him after many had given their thanks to you and the Five Wise Generals, and he accepted your presence as he always would. The two of you watched them from afar, standing close to comfort.
"Heh, yeah. It's been a year since we started this project," he stated as he looked over to you. "I hope you're prepared."
"What's that supposed to mean? Of course I am. What, did you not make these with my shishou and Kaseki for nothing?" You asked as you grinned widely at him.
You showed off your newly created katana and wakizashi in their sheaths. You pulled out the smaller one and showed off the sheen, polished blade with your nickname engraved into it. They were both properly forged as they should've been, making it stronger than Haru's or even Kohaku's given weapons. It was truly Senku's best one for you.
He chuckled, "I know you are. But Ryusui and I decided that we're going to be splitting into two teams. I also need Ruri to tell me some information that's in The Hundred Tales."
"Do you have the team setup ready?" You questioned him.
"He should be in the process of finalizing it," he replied, then started heading toward the signal tower--you following closely behind.
Before the two of you made it to the top of the hill, you could see where Ryusui already was. He was sitting with his legs crossed on the floor, writing on a piece of paper.
"You done yet, sailor?" Senku called out from the foot of the tower.
You heard the man scrambling to crawl and look down from the top. The man's eyes widened with surprise and looked happy to see you both. "Senku! (Y/N)! You're here just in time!"
Your (E/C) eyes wandered over to your partner and you just smiled in response. You climbed up first with Senku behind you.
"Let me show you the finalized list of people who could come!" The blonde man proudly cried.
He held up the piece of paper and shoved it in front of your eyes when you stepped into the tower. Senku had to hold your shoulders when you backed up to make sure you didn't fall. The scientist annoyingly furrowed his brows. "Careful with that thing, moron. Don't want to put this slowpoke outta commission before we go, now do we?"
"Yes, sorry!" Ryusui exclaimed with a laugh. He gently gave you the paper and you and Senku looked over it. It was a long list of names, categorized by different topics and titles, such as engineers, technicians, warriors, and more.
"This looks good." Your eyes skimmed the list through the familiar names. You saw almost all of your friends on the list, such a Chrome, Gen, Ukyo, Kohaku, and the others. But it had also included a few of the older adults, like Kokuyo. Hyoga and Homura were also there, but listed as "prisoners." You were a bit skeptical with a few, such as Ginro, but you weren't surprised to see them there. "But how come shishou isn't here...?"
"She personally came to me to state that she wanted to stay for the sake of protecting civilization," Ryusui explained to you. "Another thing: absolutely no children will be coming aboard. Even Haru."
"That's reasonable. We don't want the future of humanity to perish if something happens to us," you replied with a nod as you handed the list back to him. "Though, I think Haru would have something to say about it..."
"Heh, well, they've got no choice," said Senku with a shrug.
"Woooooow, you haven't even talked about this with me and you're already deciding what I want?" A voice was heard behind the three of you by the ladder. You all turned around to see Haru sitting on the ladder. They were leaning against their arm on the floor as they looked at you with lidded eyes. "How nice of you guys."
"Why the heck are you here?" You questioned them.
They answered nonchalantly, "Everyone noticed you guys gone, so they wanted to make sure you two weren't doing anything frisky."
You and Senku's noses crinkled in disgust, while Ryusui pretended that he didn't hear a thing. Your boyfriend sighed and said, "Who even said that? We're ten billion percent not gonna do that."
"Dunno 'bout that. But if you guys ever have a kid, don't say we never told you so," they told the two of you with the shrug of a shoulder. Both of you rolled your eyes in sync at his uncaring tone. "Back to the topic, how come you get to decide whether or not I can go?"
You crouched down to meet their eye level and said, "Well, sorry, Haru. We know you want to come but you can't."
"You upset because Ukyo and Chrome are going to come with us?" your boyfriend smirked as he told them.
The child let out a "tsk" before they replied, "Not like I care if any of you are going. I'll deal with it myself."
"Hah! And how are you gonna do that?" The sailor questioned him with a raised eyebrow.
They started heading down the ladder. "Don't worry about it."
"Anyways, we're gonna head over to Ruri's and ask her to tell us some stories," said Senku as he went down, following Haru.
"What are you? Five? Bedtime stories are for little kids," the raven-haired child replied.
You snickered as you went down as well, "What, and you're not?"
"Not a little one," they said as a matter of fact. When you touched the ground, they continued speaking, "Have fun going on the voyage tomorrow. I won't miss you."
You chuckled as you stood by the scientist, watching the young teenager leave. "Sure. We'll come back safe and sound, okay? We promise."
They only waved goodbye as they ignored your statement.
"Kids, huh?" Senku let out a snicker.
You placed a palm on your head as the two of you started heading over to Ruri's. "I don't know if I'd want one if they ended up so snarky like Haru."
The scientist then questioned you, "But what if they're a mini version of you?"
"Absolutely not. We'd just annoy each other. I'd prefer it if the kid was like you because at least I'd know how to handle them," you giggled as you looked at him with a smile.
"Either way, kids are difficult in any situation. Can't imagine taking care of one if we were doing something as important as this," said Senku.
"Well, at least we don't have to deal with that on our journey, right?"
~~~
"My neck is killing me," you groaned as you leaned your body against Senku.
"That's what you get for sleeping on my lap, slowpoke," the man said with a slight smile, his hands rubbing against your neck muscles to help soothe it's soreness.
You pursed your lips together and told him, "It's not my fault. The Hundred Tales were so long... We didn't even make it to the double digits by morning. But at least we're heading to a treasure island!"
Your outburst caused everybody to look over to you with wonder and surprise. All of you were aboard the Perseus, the ship that was finally completed, sailing in the great, blue sea into the unknown. Nearly everyone on the list that Ryusui had created had gotten on, though some stayed behind due to risks. Some didn't even say goodbye to you.
"An island?"
"Which one?"
"Treasure?"
Senku then explained, "In order to revive all seven billion people on this planet, we need an endless source or revival fluid. According to The Hundred Tales, the godly material, platinum, is within a chest left behind by the Soyuz space team. We only need a tiny piece of it--it'll be the catalyst for making more nitric acid than we'll ever need."
"Do we even have a location for it though?" Taiju questioned.
Suddenly, a bald member of the power team with an X-shaped scar on their forehead came up. With worrisome eyes as blue as lapis lazuli, he tightly held ropes that strapped the shield on his back and spoke, "I may have some information I'd like to share..."
"It's you! No-name!" You pointed at him with wide eyes.
"'No-name?' Wait, does nobody know his name then?" Senku asked with sweat dripping down his temples.
Kohaku crossed her arms and replied, "He just doesn't have one."
No-name told them, "You can call me whatever you like, but I need to tell you that...I'm not originally from Ishigami Village."
He further explained that he was washed up on the beach when he was a baby. A couple from the village took him in out of pity and claimed him as their own child. He would be able to guide your group to where he had come from, as well as to the capsule where the treasure is hiding.
"And I know this because my real name is 'Soyuz!'"
This caused some confusion amongst a few villagers that had come along. The best way to explain it was that a long time ago, those that lived on the island split into two groups: one that headed to Japan and the other staying behind. Therefore, making those on the island the distant relatives to the original space crew as well. But along came a very difficult question.
What if Why-man was a member of the tribe on Treasure Island?
~~~
Hours had passed and a storm had come along for your crew to infiltrate the island without being spotted. It was a great way to spy as the island was inhabited by unfamiliar people. The weather then cleared up when the ship was in a small spot near the island.
"HAHAH, check out this gorgeous weather! We snuck over to the shore just in time thanks to our teamwork! As a reward, each of you get a cool ten-thousand drago bonus!" Ryusui exclaimed with the snap of his fingers. Everyone was overjoyed when Francois had brought a chest out full of the currency.
Walking toward the end of the ship with a few others to bring supplies out, you stated with your arms crossed, "We can't stay here for long or else we'll be found."
"And that's why we're gonna send out the reconnaissance team!" Senku announced. "We need a minimum number of people to find the platinum. It's best if we found it ourselves, but at worst, we have to ask the natives."
You suddenly heard Ryusui slam a barrel down and sat on top of it before speaking out, "Then our team is settled! Four people! Senku, our scientist! Soyuz, the one and only native! Gen, who is in charge of negotiations with the natives! Finally, (Y/N), one of our best warriors and watchful eyes!"
You nodded, "Good! I have no issues with this--"
You heard someone shout as they were carrying a few boxes and wooden containers, "(Y/N)! We have a stowaway!"
One of the crew members held up a barrel lid above their head. Inside of the barrel was a person, and that person was Haru hiding within one of the stocks full of Stollen bread. Their head rose upward and you saw bread sticking out of their mouth.
"Ah, took you guys long enough..." Haru mumbled as they averted everyone's gaze.
"HARU!" Chrome excitedly shouted with delight.
In a fit of disbelief and spiked anger, you marched up to the child and grabbed them by the ear. You pulled them up forcefully and out of the brown cynlider.
"Ow!" They yelped as they fell--their katana sliding out with them.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" You shouted at them. As they were whining, you continued as you pinched them even harder, "Does your mother even know about this?! Do you even know what she's gonna do to us when we get back?! Why are you here?!"
"L-Let me go! That hurts! I'll tell you, I swear!" Haru cried out.
You let them go and let out a frustrated sigh, prompting Senku to place his hand on your back for comfort. Turning your head to Ryusui, you then declared, "I'm having Kohaku take my spot as bodyguard. I have to deal with this little brat first before I head to the island."
"You sure you wanna stay here?" Senku asked you with a bit of worry--but not for you. Clearly, everyone was looking straight at the child knowing full well you weren't going to let this slide.
You turned your head toward your partner and took his hands. Speaking softly, you told him, "I'll be alright, Senku. I need to deal with this one and Kohaku is the only other person capable of protecting you. Right, Kohaku?"
"Right! I'll do my best for you, so leave it to me, (Y/N)!" She agreed with a grin. You gave her a smile and went to the sailor's side, which had Senku looking at you with longing.
Gen placed a firm hand on the scientist's shoulder with sweat dripping down his temples. "Leave her be, Senku-chan. (Y/N)-chan has some 'mothering' to do~"
You turned to Ryusui, who seemed to have no issues with you staying. He stated, "Alright, you guys get going and we'll handle these stowaways."
You were a bit confused by his statement, since they had only found one stowaway on board. When the group had left to the island on the little speedboat, Ryusui lifted the barrel and out came a familiar watermelon.
"Suika?!" Everyone shouted.
"What are you doing here?!" Kaseki questioned the young girl.
She groveled next to Haru, who was on their knees holding their sword above their head as a punishment. Chrome crossed his arms as he looked at both children before him. With a snarky tone, he said, "I thought it was strange. I didn't see you guys the whole time everyone was sending us off."
Suika cried, "Suika wanted to be useful and she came with Haru! Suika's specialty is scouting and exploration!"
You whipped your head toward Haru, who flinched upon seeing your sharp glare. "You brought her along?!"
They defended themselves, "I-I didn't bring her! I just saw her come with me when I snuck on--"
"And you didn't stop her?! Are you kidding me?!" you yelled at them and they cowered in fear. You covered your face as Ryusui stood by your side. "Ah, she's seriously going to kill me...shishou is gonna have my head. This is what you meant by 'dealing it yourself'..."
"L-Look, on the bright side, mother isn't going to kill you since I got her permission," Haru mentioned nervously. "But you guys have no right to decide what I want, so I took matters into my own hands and came aboard so I can help too!"
With a firm, loud voice, Ryusui also scolded them, "That doesn't matter! Any stowaways found on board must clearly be send back home! Until we get back to Japan, you're gonna stay put on the ship!"
Suika started to weep until Francois said something to the both of them to cheer them up.
"It's alright, Suika, Haru! There's other ways you can help out, like cleaning the deck that got dirtied by the storm!" Taiju claimed enthusiastically. Suika looked happier than ever, while Haru was relieved.
They went to grab a broom and follow Taiju until you snatched them back. With stern eyes, you said, "Nuh-uh. You are not going with Taiju and Suika. As punishment, you're sticking with Ginro."
With wide, silver eyes, they looked over to the blonde boy, who was hobbling over the deck like a lazy slob as they cleaned. They tried to negotiate with you, "WHAT?! Look, I'm sorry, but can't you let me stay with someone else?! I'll even stick with Chrome!"
"No! This is what you get for deliberately putting yourself in danger!" you told them. "You should be lucky I'm not your mom! If I was, I would've killed you already!"
"Ugh, fine!" They groaned in defeat. The raven-haired child then walked over to Ginro, who immediately started poking fun at them for getting in trouble.
"Hey, if anyone has their hands free, I'd like someone to go check out the ocean floor," you then heard Ukyo speaking through the communication tubes from the hub.
"Ah, I guess I've got no choice! Being a person of the water, I'll have to go! C'mon, Haru!" Ginro screamed out as he dove into the water. The kid looked over to you with a deadpan and walked off the ship to follow him.
"...What am I gonna do with this kid?" you sighed, then saw Ryusui looking directly at the cliffs in the corner of your eye. "What's wrong, Ryusui-san?"
With a grave look on his voice, he spoke, "Someone's watching us...
Who the hell are you?"
-To be Continued-
A/N: Ah we're finally here! I have so much in store for you guys, and you'll see a very interesting character next chapter~
Hope you enjoyed!