Chapter 17: The Path to Mock Town

The salty wind brushed against my face as I walked toward the edge of the island. My steps were steady, my new sword—Oden—secured at my side. The name felt right. A tribute to my father, to his strength, and to the legacy I intended to surpass.

As I reached the shore, the pirate ship that had brought me here was still anchored in the distance. I could see the crew staring at me, their faces a mixture of shock and disbelief.

I had walked into Cursed Sword Island, an island where warriors never returned. And yet, here I stood.

Alive.

Stronger.

And changed.

I raised my hand, signaling to the pirates. Their hesitation was clear. To them, I had walked into the island and died, yet here I was—standing as if nothing had happened.

After a moment of hesitation, they finally lowered a small boat and rowed toward me.

Aboard the Pirate Ship

The moment I stepped onto the deck, the crew backed away slightly, their instincts screaming that I was no longer the same person who had boarded their ship.

The pirate who had spoken the most before—a lanky man with a scar running across his nose—stepped forward cautiously.

"You…" His voice was filled with curiosity and fear. "You're alive?"

I nodded. "Of course."

The pirates exchanged uneasy glances.

"The hell happened on that island?" another pirate muttered.

A larger man, who had been among the more aggressive crew members before, narrowed his eyes. "That place was cursed! You should've been dead!"

I unsheathed my black-bladed sword, the metal glinting in the sunlight.

"I walked in unarmed," I said, running a finger over the hilt. "And now, I walk out with this."

The pirates visibly tensed. Even those who had seen countless battles recognized that this was no ordinary blade.

The lanky pirate swallowed. "That sword… It's one of those, ain't it? The cursed ones?"

I smirked. "You could say that."

The tension only grew. Pirates were superstitious, and many feared cursed swords. They weren't sure if they should be afraid of the blade—or me.

Finally, one of them spoke up. "Where do you wanna go?"

I didn't hesitate.

"Mock Town."

The Journey to Mock Town

As the ship set sail, I stood at the bow, watching the endless sea stretch before me.

The crew kept their distance, though they whispered among themselves.

Occasionally, I caught bits of their conversations.

"A kid like him shouldn't be this strong…"

"Did he really survive the island, or is he something else?"

"Mock Town ain't a place for kids, but… maybe he'll fit right in."

They were right about one thing—Mock Town wasn't a place for children.

It was a lawless town, a haven for pirates who sought fortune, drink, and battle.

A place where only the strong could survive.

And that was exactly why I was going there.

The Sword's Name

The lanky pirate, still uneasy around me, eventually gathered the courage to speak.

"That sword…" he said. "You got a name for it?"

I turned, placing my hand on the hilt.

"Oden," I said simply.

The name sent a ripple through the crew. Even among pirates, Kozuki Oden's name was known.

Some of them flinched at the mention, others whispered among themselves.

A younger pirate, who couldn't have been much older than 20, finally asked, "You named it after Kozuki Oden? That Oden?"

I nodded. "Yes."

There was a moment of silence. Then, one of the older crew members scoffed.

"Big name to carry on a sword," he muttered. "Oden was a legend."

I met his gaze, my voice calm but firm. "And I will surpass him."

More silence.

Then, the older pirate chuckled, shaking his head. "You're crazy, kid. But I like it."

Arrival at Mock Town

Days later, we finally reached our destination.

Mock Town was just as I had imagined—a chaotic mess of pirates, criminals, and outlaws.

The buildings were worn-down, the streets filled with laughter, fights, and drunken shouting.

This place was a hunting ground for the strong and a graveyard for the weak.

The pirates anchored the ship at the dock and turned toward me.

"This is where we leave you, kid," the lanky pirate said. "Mock Town ain't friendly, but something tells me you'll be fine."

I stepped off the ship and onto the docks, inhaling the scent of rum, blood, and salt.

A place ruled by strength.

A place where I could test myself against real warriors.

I smiled.

Perfect.