Capítulo 4: Many Thoughts
The crackling of the dying fire was the only sound that broke the peaceful silence of the beach. Ling stared up at the night sky, the stars scattered like tiny diamonds over the vast, dark canvas above. The sounds of laughter and conversation had slowly faded, and now the only other sound was the gentle, rhythmic breathing of the pirates who had already fallen asleep where they sat, their bellies full from the feast.
Ace, true to his carefree nature, had been the first to drift off. It had been almost comical—one moment he had been talking animatedly about his adventures, and the next, he was lying on his back, sound asleep, his hat tilted down to cover his face. Ling had heard about Ace's infamous habit of eating and then immediately falling asleep, but witnessing it firsthand made him chuckle.
Ling lay on the sand, resting on his arms, feeling the warmth of the dying fire against his skin. The night had been more than he could have ever hoped for. Hours earlier, he had been alone, starving, and unsure of how he would survive the next few days. Now, he had shared a feast with one of the most powerful future pirates in the world, and it seemed like, for the moment at least, he had made some valuable friends. Yet, despite the warmth and camaraderie he felt, his mind kept racing with thoughts about what was coming.
Ace's crew was sprawled out nearby, sleeping where they sat around the fire. Not all of them, though. Ling noticed one man—a cautious member of Ace's crew—wasn't asleep. Masked Deuce, Ace's first mate, was watching Ling with a wary eye. It wasn't an aggressive gaze, but it was enough to remind Ling that he wasn't fully trusted yet.
Ling couldn't blame him. In a world like this, where every new face could be a potential threat, it was only natural to be suspicious. Ace had just had his bounty updated to 200 million berries—a staggering sum that painted a target on his back. The man watching Ling likely thought he could be a bounty hunter, someone playing the long game to take advantage of their captain's kindness and eventually cash in on the reward.
Ling avoided meeting Deuce's gaze and instead focused on the stars again, letting his thoughts drift. He had already figured out that he was in the Grand Line—Ace's presence alone had confirmed that—but what really preoccupied his mind was the timeline. He knew Ace was still in his early days of adventure. No Whitebeard tattoo on his back, no giant fleet of followers yet. Ace was still just 18, fresh off his journey from the East Blue, having gained notoriety for his growing strength and leadership.
But something else kept coming back to Ling's mind, something more significant that he knew was going to happen this year: the Reverie.
The Reverie was one of the most important political gatherings in the world of One Piece. The world's royalty would come together to discuss critical issues, and this year's Reverie would set in motion events that would change the world forever. Ling couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement just thinking about it. Though it was far away from where he was now, the repercussions of what would be discussed at the Reverie would be felt across the seas. The shifting tides of power, the whispers of revolution, the secrets of the world government—all of it would soon be brought to light.
But he had to be cautious. This world was dangerous in ways he was only just beginning to understand. He had been lucky so far, but he couldn't rely on luck alone. The fact that Ace's bounty had risen to 200 million was proof of how quickly things could escalate in the Grand Line. Pirates like Ace were constantly moving, growing stronger, and attracting more powerful enemies. Ling wasn't ready to be caught up in that kind of storm just yet. He needed to get stronger, to plan his next steps carefully.
He glanced at the embers of the fire and took a deep breath. The Toki Toki no Mi was still tucked away in his pouch, safely hidden. He hadn't told anyone about it, not even Ace. The thought of someone else finding out about the fruit sent a chill down his spine. The power to leap into the future, to manipulate time—it was too dangerous, too unpredictable. He knew that in this world, there would be people who would stop at nothing to take that fruit for themselves.
Ling exhaled slowly and lay back on the sand, staring up at the stars once more. He had to be patient. Rushing headlong into the chaos of the world would only get him killed. He had knowledge of this world, but he needed to make sure he used it wisely.
Still, despite the dangers, there was a part of him that couldn't help but get excited. He was in the Grand Line, sailing alongside Ace and his crew, witnessing firsthand the kind of life he had only ever read about. This was the world of pirates, of adventure, of dreams that could reshape the entire world. And even though it scared him, it also made his heart race with anticipation.
The night air was cool against his skin, and the sound of the waves crashing gently against the shore was almost soothing. Ling's eyelids felt heavy, and for a moment, he considered closing his eyes and letting sleep take him. But the distant gaze of Masked Deuce kept him awake. He wasn't ready to sleep just yet.
Deuce was still watching him, as if waiting for him to make a move. Ling felt a twinge of unease. He understood why Deuce was suspicious—after all, Ling was an outsider who had just stumbled upon their crew. He had shown up out of nowhere, and in a world like this, that was enough to raise red flags.
But Ling wasn't a threat. He had no interest in turning Ace over for a bounty or betraying the crew. He just needed time to figure out his next steps, to understand where he stood in this new world. The last thing he wanted was to get caught up in a conflict he wasn't ready for.
He sighed softly, turning his attention back to the stars. This year would be one filled with danger and opportunity. The Reverie would be a pivotal moment, and while Ling had no plans to get involved directly, he knew that the events that would unfold at that gathering would ripple out across the world, affecting everyone—even someone like him, stranded on an island with a group of pirates.
He could feel it in his bones. This world was on the verge of something big, and he needed to be ready for whatever came next. But for now, all he could do was wait.
Ling took another deep breath, letting the cool night air fill his lungs. He wasn't sure where his journey would take him next, but one thing was clear—he was in this for the long haul. The Grand Line was unforgiving, but it was also full of wonder. And despite everything, Ling couldn't help but feel excited about what lay ahead.
The embers of the fire flickered faintly in the breeze, and slowly, the tension in Ling's body began to fade. His thoughts grew hazy as the night stretched on, and eventually, despite his efforts to stay awake, sleep began to claim him.
As his eyes fluttered closed, the last thing Ling saw was the faint outline of Masked Deuce, still keeping watch.
But by then, sleep had already pulled him into its quiet embrace, and Ling drifted off under the blanket of stars, his mind still racing with thoughts of what this year would bring.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder