Time Travel: Age of Discovery

"If only... I had noticed it sooner..." Teya's words were filled with resentment and self-blame, each word weighing heavily on the heart. Xiong and Tiger, their two companions in the battle, read in Teya's eyes an unprecedented level of determination and regret. The fog in their hearts seemed to have found the outline of an answer at that moment.

Yet, fate always seems to play tricks on us. The Fishman Island, the place Tiger longed for, has now become a distant, unreachable shore. This despair is like ice, chilling to the bone. But a fire ignited in Toya's heart, a steadfast commitment to friendship and a commitment to his promise. "Since he can't go back, let's carve a path for him to return home!" This determination surged in Toya's heart, seemingly dispelling all the gloom in the world.

Just as everyone was immersed in the ocean of thoughts, a mysterious ship quietly approached the shore, bringing with it an indescribable sign of a storm.

A man in a black cloak, like a ghost in the night, slowly stepped out of the cabin. His presence made the air freeze. "Lieutenant General Teya, what a pleasant surprise! I didn't expect to meet you here." Long's voice, calm yet revealing a power that should not be underestimated, seemed to be able to penetrate the deepest secrets of the human heart.

Teya stepped forward, a delicate distance between them, neither hostile nor intimate. Under the shadow of his cloak, Long's eyes were as deep as the night sky. He smiled softly, a smile that held so much of the past and unresolved mysteries. "Monkey D. Dragon, or, as I prefer to call you—my former comrade." Teya's words were filled with a mixture of nostalgia for the past and a clear understanding of his current position.

With the arrival of the dragon, the conversation in Chapter 278 quietly began. The air was filled with a tense and delicate atmosphere, but a sudden sea breeze, like nature's mediator, gradually dissipated the tension, leaving only clarity and tranquility.

Long's eyes swept around, seemingly anticipating Xiong's injuries. There was no wavering in his expression, as if he had foreseen everything. However, when his gaze fell on Fisher Tiger, an indescribable complex emotion filled his eyes.

"So this is the person Xiong is willing to protect at all costs, Mr. Tiger." Long's words were full of respect and some elusive meaning.

Upon hearing this, Tiger just glanced at Long indifferently and then turned his head. His back revealed his determination towards the past and uncertainty about the future.

Long refocused his gaze on Teya. His deep eyes seemed to contain thousands of words, which eventually turned into just one sentence: "It's time for us to talk." This sentence was not only an invitation to Teya, but also a profound dialogue about the past, present and future.

The scene felt like the prelude to a reunion of old friends, yet it also carried a subtle, first-time encounter. A playful smile played on Long's lips, his gaze tracing Teya's, as he pondered: This mysterious visitor, every encounter feels like a meticulously choreographed play, leaving one with an unpredictable understanding. This couldn't be the first time we'd met on the stage of fate, right, Mr. Teya?

Teya smiled slightly, and that smile hid the secrets of the stars and the sea. He shook his head gently, and seemed to nod. Perhaps, in the intersection of countless parallel universes, we have already passed each other countless times; but at this moment, this reunion, to me, is both familiar and novel.

Upon hearing this, Long's eyes flashed with approval. He was well aware of Teya's extraordinary qualities; otherwise, he wouldn't be conspiring with him at this very moment, in this turbulent corner of the pirate world. Between the two, there was a tacit understanding, no words needed.

Not far away, Xiong was resting quietly against a rock like a guardian in an ancient forest. His pirate crew members had quietly dispersed, leaving only Tiger, standing silently, as if carrying a heavy burden.

Beside Thea, Tina and Smoker stood side by side. Their presence was not only a symbol of strength, but also a witness to Thea's faith. Thea did not regard them as secret bystanders, but as partners fighting side by side, facing the coming storm together.

Long's eyes moved between Tina and Smoker, with a teasing smile on his lips. Could it be that these two are the treasures you fished out from the depths of the sea, and want to train them to become the new generation of 'Sons of the Storm'?

Upon hearing this, Tina and Smoker looked at each other, then frowned slightly. They were about to refute, but Thea took the lead and laughed heartily. No, they are the dawn that will lead a new era in the ocean, the guardians of freedom and dreams, not my personal possessions.

Hearing this, Long's eyes flashed with interest. "Oh? Then, Mr. Teya, please unveil this mysterious veil and let us see your true intentions."

Just as everyone was holding their breath, Xiong unexpectedly broke the silence and briefly outlined the events in his steady and powerful voice. But whenever he mentioned Tiger, his voice stopped abruptly and his eyes turned to Teya, as if all the answers were in the latter's heart.

Teya took a deep breath, his gaze gently passing over Tiger, who lowered his head and closed his eyes. A mixture of emotions filled his heart. My journey was truly driven by selfish motives: to witness the legendary 'tyrant' with my own eyes and discover his true appearance.

But on a deeper level, it was the continuation of my indissoluble bond with Brother Tiger. For a long time, I wandered around, just looking for his traces, until this unexpected encounter with the bear, I learned about his unknown hardships and perseverance over the years.

At this point, Teja's voice trembled slightly, and he paused, as if gathering his thoughts, or perhaps giving everyone time to digest the news. However, the past is gone, and we should focus on the present, considering how to work together to bring real change and hope to this ocean.

Long stared at Teya, his deep eyes filled with both scrutiny and trust. He knew that every move Teya made was based on profound considerations and extraordinary ambitions.

Even the seemingly fierce battle between Teya and the bear did not concern Long too much, because he knew very well that in this vast ocean, although people have different positions, the pursuit of freedom and justice can transcend all boundaries.

In that dark and deep chamber, Long's heart seemed to be shrouded in a sudden fog. He was filled with an indescribable curiosity about Teya's motives, but also with a lingering suspicion. Tiger's story, like the brightest star in the night sky, had long been deeply engraved in his memory.

And for him, Teya, this mysterious traveler, is more like an unfinished legendary novel, with unknown surprises and challenges hidden in every page.