Chapter 199: Bika's Little Fisherman
...
Two days later
"There is a human presence to the left ahead. This should be the island we are looking for."
Barrett, who was sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed as if meditating, slowly opened his eyes, turned his head to look at Captain Gir lying on the sofa and spoke.
Upon hearing this, Moria also concentrated his observation Haki to sense the direction Barrett pointed, but found nothing. Not to mention people, he didn't even sense a hair. Moria smiled on the surface, but in his heart he sighed that this bastard Barrett's observation Haki was so much stronger than his!
No! I must practice my Observation Haki well. It seems that I haven't played mahjong enough recently! This has led to my slow progress in Observation Haki!
Captain Gir pulled the blindfold over his head, stood up, patted his butt, and stretched.
"Good job! Xiaoba!"
While praising them, Gel took out three illustrated copies of the Thunder Fruit that he had drawn and distributed them to Ajin, Moria and Barrett. He then took out three bags from the system space, two large and one small, one for each person, and instructed:
"After we get to the island, split up and go in one direction each. This golden devil fruit is what we are looking for. You can ask the locals. Maybe someone has seen it. There are food and drinks prepared for you for a few days in your backpacks, as well as this kind of banknotes."
Gel said as he took out a 100 million dollar bill.
"This is called Ik, and it's the universal currency on Sky Island. I've prepared 100 billion Ik for each of you in the bag. Spend it to get things done. If you find a fruit or have a clue, send out a signal flare, and the rest of us will go over to join you. Try not to harm ordinary people on the island, but if there are those who don't know how to live or die and insist on stretching their necks out for others to chop off, don't be polite to them. That's it! Any other questions?"
"No!" times 3
"OK! Get ready for action!"
As for Weibull, he must be led by Gel himself, so don't make it difficult for him to do this kind of technical work.
"Then I'll go down first, Captain."
"Go."
There was still a long way to go before they reached the sky above the island. The restless Barrett was the first one who couldn't sit still. After saying that, he jumped from Lab's back and jumped down.
Ten minutes later, Ajin put on his backpack, said goodbye to Captain Gel, and jumped down.
Gir thought it was a bit like paratroopers dropping into the sky, but without parachutes in their bags.
...
Sky Island Bika.
It was just daybreak, and an early-rising Sky Islander was walking on the quiet path with his fishing net, preparing to leave the village.
"You're going fishing so early today too, Bubulu."
It was dark, and only a thin figure could be seen in front of the road, but he could not see his face clearly. However, when Bubulu heard the familiar voice, he knew it was Uncle Xili, who was in charge of night watch in the village. He had had similar conversations many times before, so he answered directly:
"Yes, good morning, Uncle Xili. Haha, it's been two or three years, I've gotten used to it. Now I will wake up naturally at this time, and I can't fall asleep again after waking up. It's better to get up early and do things."
"Yeah, go ahead, go ahead. It's better to go early so that those bastards can sleep until the sun sets on their butts. Be careful."
"Okay, Master Xili."
After the man walked away, the old man shook his head and sighed as he walked, muttering softly:
"Alas, he is a hardworking and good kid, but his life is a bit hard."
The coast was also quiet early in the morning, with only some fingernail-sized crabs rustling around using a pair of pincers to put algae into their mouths.
Bubulu came to the shore, walked around and found a good place. After looking around and making sure there was no one around, he started to cast the net to catch fish.
These good fishing spots are usually occupied by a few notorious bullies in the village. Anyone who dares to compete with them for a spot will be beaten up or even crippled or killed.
Even if they themselves don't come to catch fish, they don't allow others to cast nets in these places. The fish are obviously from the sea, but they shamelessly say that the reason why casting nets in these places can yield better harvests is because they have asked someone to perform rituals to bless them, so only they can catch fish in these places. Anyone else who dares to cast a net will not only be beaten but also have their catch confiscated. It's simply outrageous and unreasonable!
It is not 100% certain that poor and remote areas produce unruly people, but it is true that in places where resources are scarce, the evil in human nature will be magnified more easily in order to survive.
Bubulu's father had his leg broken two years ago due to a conflict with a bully and is now unable to work. His mother is worried and bedridden. He was forced to shoulder the burden of the entire family when he just turned 15 and was often exploited and bullied by the village bullies.
...
When it comes to fishing, Bubulu always comes the earliest, because he can secretly cast a few nets in a few good locations when no one is around. However, his fishing nets are so simple that there are even big holes in several places. Therefore, he can only go fishing at different times before others get up, otherwise he cannot compete with others. If he fails to catch any fish, his family will have to go hungry.
Although it was too early, not only people had not gotten up yet, but the fish too, so he often got nothing. Bubulu could only think to himself, who knows, maybe there is some fish with the same miserable fate as himself that has to get up early to make a living?
He took a step forward with his left foot, bent his right arm, and held the net rope with his left hand. After adjusting his center of gravity, he used the strength of his legs and waist to throw the net forward and upward in one go.
"Shh!"
The spinning net opened in the air and became a perfect circle. He had practiced this movement countless times.
Seeing that the net was completely in the water, he immediately began to pull the rope to collect the net.
“There’s something!!”
The experienced Bubulu could judge whether he had caught something by the feeling transmitted through the rope. Although it was only a little bit heavier than the empty net, he still clearly felt the difference. Bubulu excitedly quickened his movements.
kindness?
No feeling of fish struggling?
He was a little disappointed, but judging by the weight, he thought that it was very likely that he had caught an empty shell, which could be sold for money. If it was one of the more scarce commonly used shells, such as wind shells or fire shells, one in good quality could be sold for several thousand ikles!
Soon, the entire fishing net was pulled ashore.
"Huh? What is this thing? There are no holes in it, isn't it?"
Looking at a yellow thing covered with irregular spikes in the net, Bubulu's brows were furrowed, because this unidentified object covered with thorns had tangled his fishing net into a mess, and it was obvious how difficult it would be to untie it without damaging the net.
"Ah! God, why do you play such a joke? Am I not unlucky enough? Why don't you punish those bad guys?"
Bubulu complained as he untied the fishing net.
Anyone who is a little wealthier would probably choose to throw away the entire broken fishing net in anger.
In his heart, Bubulu really wanted to throw it away, but he couldn't afford it because it was his livelihood. So he could only curse inwardly and squat on the ground to patiently untie the knots one by one.
By the time he finally took the pear-shaped object covered with sharp thorns off the fishing net, it was already daybreak. Not only did he get up so early in vain, but he didn't catch any fish, and his hands were also covered with bloody wounds from the sharp thorns.
...
