章節 3: The Results of Training and Cocoyashi Village
About two and a half years had passed since I'd stepped into Shells Town as an unknown figure. Now, the name Haku was whispered in taverns and ports across the East Blue, synonymous with fear and respect, a rising pirate hunter on par with the infamous Roronoa Zoro. The tales of my feats spread like wildfire, each recounting a new victory over the countless scum of the sea.
The sun hung high in the sky as I trained relentlessly on a small island near Shells Town, that's now surrounded by frozen waters. I've spent the last week there developing my Devil Fruit abilities. My physique had transformed, hardened by a regimen that could only be described as borderline insane. I had adopted a training style reminiscent of the legendary Garp and Saitama—a blend of grueling endurance runs, weightlifting, and rigorous combat drills (curtsy of Haku's memories with Zabuza).
I've put a lot of emphasis on making sure to bolster my body's strength and endurance. Although this world didn't have chakra, it compromised with the denizens' potential to unleash their body's full potential through shear-fucking-will and torturous training, or Haki for short. Being a Logia-fruit user, my stamina was equivalent to fuel, so the importance of such improvements were pretty self-explanatory. The likes of Armament Haki, not to mention Conqueror's Haki, was still a far cry for me. I made some elementary progress with Observation Haki, though, by trying to walk blindfolded through an obstacle course made of swinging rocks tied to some ropes. It would leave me battered and bruised at the end of the day for months on end, resulting in weird glances sent my way by the locals. But the pain paid off and solidified after a few pirate hunts I went through, as I could now sense the presence, and even grasp the strength and emotions of my opponents. I found that during a hail, the range of my Observation Haki could drastically increase, although not as much as Enel's matra, it's still a great start.
Days would pass in a blur of sweat, blood, and determination. My body was now lean, muscular, and powerful, while still retaining the ethereal beauty that came from my Haku lineage. That was actually something I hoped to curbed down with Garp's training. But contrary to my expectations, even days spent under the sun did not leave a visible mark on my eternally pristine skin.
"The prettiest demon of East Blue" they call me, I mused, a smirk tugging at my lips. That name came by some time during my routine hunt for some practice dummies; the News Coo managed to take a picture of my face without the mask on. Ever since then, I'd get weird looks from people anywhere I went- a mixture of blushes, jealousy and curiosity. There was even a rumour going around about my gender, even though the article explicitly stated that I was guy. I guess I should've expected Haku's curse to travel with him. I released an involuntary sigh as the memories of the misunderstandings resurfaced.
As I continued my warm-up routine, I could feel the cold energy of the Snow-Snow Fruit coursing through my veins, my control over it sharpened by years of practice and experimentation. Through my training, I had discovered new techniques and applications of my powers. The constructs I created from hardened snow were no longer limited to mere weapons; I could form sentient soldiers made of ice and snow, using them to distract and overwhelm my enemies. For example, with a flick of my wrist, I could unleash a Fists of Flurry, a barrage of hardened snow fists that could pierce even the toughest defences.
During my time on the seas, I had taken down a host of pirates, each with their own infamy. The tales were varied, but each encounter added to my growing reputation:
"Scarlet Dagger" Nalia - Bounty: 5 million Berries. Known for her lethal daggers and agility.
"Iron Jaw" Faldor - Bounty: 7 million Berries. A hulking brute who underestimated my speed.
"Whirlpool" Ketsu - Bounty: 10 million Berries. He ruled a small part of the East Blue sea with a fleet of raiding ships before I brought him down and sunk his ships with an Icicle Barrage.
"Red Skull" Drax - Bounty: 12 million Berries. His crew was notorious for raiding small islands until I ambushed them in the night.
"Blackstorm" Jareth - Bounty: 15 million Berries. A pirate with a crew known for their brutal methods and strategic traps, defeated mercilessly using my Snownado. The move describes itself, but it took me nearly a year's worth of endurance training to comfortably pull off. The shear magnitude of the move was taxing on my body, but with practice I could now sink a medium-sized ship with little effort.
Yeah, after over two years of pirate hunting, I can say I was pretty loaded for your average East Blue resident. However, that wasn't the biggest outtake from my ventures. Each encounter had honed my skills, further sharpening my reflexes and Observation Haki, and helped in expanding my arsenal of techniques. Winter's Kiss had become a go-to method for subduing opponents without killing them. I could drain the heat from their bodies, leaving them in severe hypothermia gasping for warmth. The move required physical contact, but I was a hair's length away from creating its derivative that would make that restriction obsolete. Just needed to find a suitable dummy to put the theory into practice.
I also spent quite a bit of time trying to cover some of my more glaring weaknesses. I developed a move called Snowpad, revolving around creating a thick layer of snow on the sea surface as a safety blanket for when I might fall overboard. Although it's not permanent in nature, like Aokiji's ice, it still bought enough time for me to reach safety. Speaking of Kuzan, since snow is essentially billions of miniature ice crystals, I theorised that when coming to contact with something made of ice, I could use the Snow-Snow fruit's powers to break it down, reducing it into snow. And thus Powderize was developed, providing a tactical advantage against ice-based foes, or foe to be exact. I was still working on potential counters for fire-based attacks, but unless I train with a walking flamethrower, it is still a work in progress.
The sky was tinged with shades of orange and purple as the sun finally sank below the horizon, casting long shadows across the frozen waters around the island. I gathered my things, my mask resting lightly in my hand as I glanced toward the direction of Shells Town. The small island had become my quiet refuge for training, but now it was time to return to the world.
With a silent command, a platform of hardened snow formed beneath my feet, lifting me off the island. The snow crackled as it condensed under the pressure of my weight, yet it felt sturdy. As I made my way back toward Shells Town, Chibi fluttered down from a nearby tree and perched on my shoulder, chirping softly in greeting.
"Looks like it's time to return, Chibi," I said, rubbing the small sparrow's head. She nuzzled into my neck in response, her warmth a comforting contrast to the cold air around us.
---
Shells Town hadn't changed much since I'd first arrived here years ago. The same cobbled streets, the same shops and stalls, and the same unremarkable Marine base standing as a looming presence in the distance. However, today there was an air of quiet excitement, whispers passing between the locals as I stepped through the streets. I didn't need to use Observation Haki to feel the shift in the town's atmosphere.
As I made my way through the familiar streets, I found myself standing in front of Seagull's Nest. It was the same as I remembered—simple, with a modest wooden sign hanging above the entrance. Pushing the door open, I stepped inside.
The scent of freshly cooked food filled the air, and the gentle hum of conversation greeted me. A few patrons glanced my way as I entered, but no one seemed to recognise me immediately. With my mask on, I looked like just another traveller passing through.
"Haku! Chibi! It's been a while!" a familiar voice called out.
I turned to see Ririka, the tavern's owner, approaching me with a smile. Turned out the I rented a room in a tavern owned by Rika's mother, the little girl that played a small part during the Romance Dawn arc, which brought me great joy. It allowed me to focus on honing my skills and training, while still keeping an ear out for any developments with the plot.
She wiped her hands on her apron, her eyes warm with recognition. I removed my mask, returning her smile.
"Ririka," I said, bowing my head slightly. "It's good to see you again."
"Come, sit! You must be tired from your travels," she said, motioning to a table near the back. "Rika will be thrilled to see you, and especially Chibi."
As I took a seat, Ririka began setting a plate of food in front of me. I hadn't realised how hungry I was until the aroma hit my nose. Seeing as how excited Chibi was about her grains, I guess she also anticipated this hearty meal.
"So," Ririka began as she sat across from me, "you've probably heard the news?"
I raised an eyebrow. "News?"
Ririka leaned in, her voice lowering conspiratorially. "About the Marine base. It happened just a day ago—Luffy, a pirate, and Roronoa Zoro… they were here."
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of Zoro's name. "Zoro?"
Ririka nodded eagerly. "Yes, that Roronoa Zoro. He was tied up at the base for days. Rika even tried to bring him some food, the poor girl, but Helmeppo—the Captain's son—caught her and… well, things got bad. But then this pirate, Luffy, showed up. They took down the whole Marine base, freed Zoro, and left just yesterday."
Zoro had been here? Just one day ago?
I sat back in my chair, processing the information. Of all places, Shells Town had been a battlefield for the start of Luffy and Zoro's journey. I couldn't help but smile, my mind flicking to the countless stories I'd heard about him in the taverns during my hunts. Honestly, the nerd in me was getting a bit flustered in anticipation of the eventual encounter with the Straw Hats.
"Sounds like I missed quite the event," I said, my voice laced with amusement. Ririka laughed softly, nodding.
"You bet! There is still no news about Captain Morgans, but the word is that he got beaten black and blue. The marines are trying to keep the news under wraps. I heard Helmeppo got dragged into their ranks, though!"
I feigned ignorance and surprise, exclaiming "No way! I'd pay to watch them tow that spoilt cry-baby onto their ship. That sight would melt even my snowy heart." We laughed and chatted for a bit longer until both trailed off, focusing on our respective activities.
As I ate, I couldn't help but glance around the tavern, my gaze settling on a faded, old wanted poster tacked onto the wall. The name was instantly recognisable—Arlong. His sneering face glared out from the poster, his bounty of 20 million berries emblazoned beneath it. A shark fish-man, and a tyrant ruling over a village in East Blue. I knew his reputation. He had a grip on a small village called Cocoyashi and had been bleeding them dry for years.
My fingers tightened around the fork as I felt a familiar sense of purpose stirring within me.
"What can you tell me about this one?" I asked, gesturing to the poster.
Ririka followed my gaze. "Ah, Arlong… That one's trouble. He and his crew have been terrorising a village not too far from here- Cocoyashi Village. No one's been able to do anything about it."
My mind drifted a bit in contemplation, with only Chibi's rhythmic pecking sounding in the background. On one hand, I knew that the Straw Hats would eventually beat Arlong and free Nami from her chains, much like in the canon. I've made sure to stay low-key enough these past years to not mess with the plot and stay off the marine's radar. So far, apart from a couple of times when they tried recruiting me, I think I've succeeded in that regard. However, an opportunity to find decent training dummies while also riding the seas of a truly horrible person doesn't come often. Besides, Arlong has been in power for a while now, I'm sure his accumulated wealth is substantial. If I'm lucky, maybe I can find a Devil Fruit or two, not that fish-men need them much. I could leave the money for the village and Nami to deal with, but the rest of the goodies are still up for the taking. It's also an opportunity for me to get into the future Pirate King's good graces. Maybe afterwards they'd agree to help me hitch a ride to the Grand Line... It's decided then!
I stood up, determination coursing through me. "I think it's about time someone did something about Arlong."
I signalled Chibi to fly up to Ririka and said, "Ririka, I will be checking myself out tomorrow. It's time for me and Chibi to set sail. I will leave her with you and Rika for tonight, I'm sure Chibi would love a farewell sleepover as a thank you for the lovely patronage."
Ririka smiled warmly at the suggestion and nodded, before turning to me with a hint of reluctance in her gaze.
"I knew you'd eventually have to leave, but it still feels a bit sad to say goodbye. Just know, Haku, our doors are always open for you. Rika and I will miss you a lot."
"Careful Ririka, you're going make me blush. I'm afraid I'd melt if you keep this up."
"You rascal, I am more than double your age!"
"And still, you don't a year over 20."
"Watch it, young mister. Otherwise, I will make Rika plaster Shells Town full of your unmasked photos with the caption 'Most eligible Bachelor of East Blue looking for love!'."
Honestly, the thought of that made me shudder a bit. I raised my hands in surrender as we laughed a bit before I headed to bed, mentally prepping for tomorrows challenges.
---
The journey to Cocoyashi Village was uneventful, at least for the most part. Chibi perched on my shoulder as the small boat I rented cut through the waters toward the village. I had no intention of making a grand entrance or starting a war with the Arlong Pirates immediately. My plan was to scout the area first, get a feel for their strength, and only engage if absolutely necessary.
Unfortunately, that plan went out the window the moment I set foot on the island.
The village was disturbingly quiet, a sharp contrast to what I had expected from a place that should have been alive with the bustle of daily life. But as I walked through the streets, I could see it in the villagers' eyes. Fear. It was thick in the air, clinging to them like a second skin. Heads were lowered, eyes averted, and steps hurried. No one wanted to linger too long.
Chibi tilted her head, sensing the tension. She chirped softly, and I patted her gently.
"I know," I murmured. "This place reeks of fear."
As I made my way further into the village, I could see why. Two towering fish-men stood at the outskirts, guarding the path that led deeper into the island. Their muscular forms loomed like shadows, eyes narrowed and predatory. They spotted me immediately, their sneers twisting into something uglier.
"You lost, human?" one of them growled, stepping forward. His voice was rough, like gravel scraping across stone. "There's an entry fee to be on this island. A hundred thousand berries per head."
I said nothing, meeting his gaze evenly. My silence and lack of a reaction (largely due to wearing a mask, I may add) clearly didn't sit well with him, as his lips curled further, revealing sharp, jagged teeth.
"Don't act stupid," the second one added, his eyes locking onto Chibi. "And that little bird of yours? Another hundred thousand. She's not even worth eating."
Chibi puffed up indignantly, chirping loudly at the insult, her tiny form bristling with offence. I could feel her tiny claws gripping my shoulder a little tighter.
The fish-men scowled, with one voicing "Now give us the money! Or I don't mind chewing that little bird's head off and making you eat the rest!"
That was enough.
I sighed softly, letting my annoyance melt into cold resolve. My hand reached up, adjusting the mask that rested over my face, its smooth surface reflecting the dying light of the sun.
"Threatening me is one thing," I said, my voice lowering to an icy calm, "but threatening her?"
I moved in a blur. Before the fish-men could register what had happened, I was already upon them. My hand shot out, and with a flick of my wrist, I unleashed a barrage of snow fists—Fists of Flurry—each one striking with the force of a cannonball. The hardened snow slammed into them, driving them back as they grunted in surprise and pain.
The first fish-man staggered, his massive body crashing into the ground, but I wasn't done. I flicked my hand again, and a snow construct formed around his legs, freezing him in place. He struggled against the icy bonds, but the more he fought, the tighter the snow hardened, until he was immobile. With another wave of my hand I conjured a single icy needle, sending it flying towards the fish-man. What followed was a resounding CRUNCH as his head got pierced through, his body standing lifelessly.
Seeing his kin skewered, the second fish-man lunged at me with a roar, his massive arms swinging toward me. But I sidestepped easily, planting a foot into his chest with enough force to send him flying back. I followed up with Winter's Kiss, draining the heat from his body with a single touch. He shuddered violently, collapsing in a heap as his strength left him, his body limp and cold.
I stood over the fallen fish-men, my breath steady as the snow began to settle around me. Chibi fluttered her wings in approval, chirping triumphantly from her perch on my shoulder.
Just as I turned to walk away from the groaning fish-men, I heard soft footsteps approaching from behind. My senses picked up a presence—someone cautious but not hostile. I glanced over my shoulder to see a young woman with short blue hair watching me with wide, surprised eyes. She was dressed simply, but there was an air of quiet strength about her. Her gaze flicked between the fallen fish-men and me, her mouth slightly open in shock.
"You… you took them down like they were nothing," she said, her voice full of disbelief.
I shrugged, brushing a bit of snow off my coat. "They were annoying. And threatening my bird."
Chibi puffed up again, chirping indignantly as if to say, "I'm worth way more than a hundred thousand berries!"
The woman let out a small laugh despite herself. "I'm Nojiko," she said, introducing herself. "I take it you're not from around here. You know who Arlong is, right? Those two were his cadres and are just small fry compared to him."
"Small fry or not," I said, meeting her gaze, "they picked the wrong fight."
Nojiko's expression grew more serious as she stepped closer. "Listen, you don't know what you're getting yourself into. Arlong and his crew—they're monsters. They've terrorized this island for years. If you go after him, it won't be as easy as those two."
I could hear the genuine concern in her voice, but I wasn't deterred. I had full confidence in my power. In the East Blue, I could be truly called a monster. Not something a weak-willed hypocritical clown-fish looking mf could handle.
Chibi, however, took this moment to hop off my shoulder and land on Nojiko's head, chirping softly as if to reassure her. Nojiko blinked, startled, and then burst out laughing.
"I see your bird has as much, if not more, confidence than you do," she said between chuckles, reaching up to gently pat Chibi on the head.
"She's the real threat here," I replied with a grin. "I'm just her sidekick."
Chibi puffed up again, chirping proudly, her small form radiating with smugness. Nojiko shook her head, still laughing, though her eyes softened.
"You're really serious about this, aren't you?" she asked, her tone shifting back to concern. "Just… be careful. Arlong's not like any of the others. He's ruthless, and he won't hesitate to crush anyone who stands in his way."
"I'll keep that in mind," I said, adjusting my mask once more. "Thanks for the warning."
As I turned to head toward Arlong Park, Nojiko watched me with a mixture of worry and curiosity. Chibi flew back to my shoulder, giving Nojiko one last chirp of reassurance before we continued our path.
Behind me, Nojiko called out one final time. "Good luck! You're going to need it."
I raised a hand in silent acknowledgement, my mind already focused on the task ahead. The path to Arlong Park stretched before me, and with every step, the air seemed to grow heavier. But I felt no fear—only the cold certainty of the hunt.
"Arlong…" I muttered under my breath in silent furry as Chibi flapped her wings, ready for what was to come.
It was time to see if the infamous fish-man pirate was truly the monster everyone feared—or just another tyrant waiting to fall.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票