One Piece: Power-Power Fruit

Chapter 13 The Sound of Gunfire Shatters the Peace

Chapter Thirteen: The Sound of Gunfire Shatters the Peace

Time is like a warm summer breeze; just when you reach out to grasp it and hold it close, it slips through your fingers, waving goodbye without a backward glance.

Autumn winds sweep away fallen leaves, winter snow weighs down branches; time flies, and in the blink of an eye, the entire island has been transformed into a silver-clad world. This winter is a bit cold.

For the past six months or so, Mu Chong could often be seen training in the courtyard of the mountain village and on the beach. Sometimes he would spar with Yi Xiao, and sometimes he would play and frolic with the white cat.

More often than not, Mu Chong was all alone, waving his wooden stick.

Mu Chong once asked Yi Xiao why he wasn't given a real knife, and why he was always waving around a wooden stick, making it seem like they were poor.

Yixiao's answer was simple: We are indeed very poor.

Thus, this magical wooden stick accompanied Mu Chong's continuous growth from beginning to end.

boom……

"Phew... I finally finished my batting count for today. It's so hot and I'm so hungry..."

In the middle of the snow-covered mountain village courtyard, nearly 1.8 meters tall, Mu Chong, shirtless, finally completed his daily training task as the sun began to set.

His muscular physique bulged, and his reddened skin visibly emitted steam, creating a stark contrast with the icy, snowy world.

Mu Chong casually tossed the wooden stick in his hand, and with a loud bang, the stick smashed into the thick snow, creating a large crater in the rocky hillside. Yes, this stick was heavy again.

Ignoring the mountain's reaction, Mu Chong wiped the sweat from his body and walked into the house while putting on his clothes. There, Yi Xiao had already prepared the food.

"Meow……"

The white cat, about the size of a small calf, saw Mu Chong walk in and pounced on him, giving him a big hug.

"You fat cat, if you keep growing like this, I'll soon be unable to hug you anymore. Look how fat you've become!"

"Meow……"

Mu Chong affectionately stroked the white cat's head, greeting Yi Xiao as he spoke.

"Uncle Yixiao, it's been more than half a year, why can't I awaken Armament Haki? I can feel a power in my fist, but I just can't seem to gather it..."

As he spoke, Mu Chong sat down on the stool and began to eat heartily.

"Brother Mu, you're only fifteen years old. It's rare for someone your age to awaken Armament Haki. Armament Haki requires a certain level of physical strength to unleash the power hidden within your body. Don't aim too high, just keep working hard!"

Yi Xiao was quite satisfied with Mu Chong's training. In just over half a year, without Yi Xiao using his abilities and without removing the weights from Mu Chong's body, the young man before him was already able to fight him on equal terms. This made Yi Xiao wonder if he was getting old.

"Alright, alright, eat your fill so you can train properly..."

boom……

Rumble...

Just as Mu Chong was wolfing down his food, a gunshot rang out, mixed with the sound of artillery fire, from the foot of the mountain, causing the two people in the house to immediately turn serious.

"Hmm? That direction is the direction of the village..."

Before Mu Chong could even swallow the food in his mouth, he immediately spoke upon hearing the sound.

"A powerful figure has landed on this island..."

He immediately activated his Observation Haki, gave a powerful laugh, and stared intently in the direction of the village, speaking in a heavy tone.

"Meow……"

"Brother Mu..."

Before Yixiao could finish speaking, Mu Chong's figure rushed out, followed by the white cat. In an instant, the two disappeared halfway up the mountain.

"Young Master Mu's personality is still as impulsive as ever. I can sense the aura of a powerful figure within you. Hmm... then let Young Master Mu experience it for himself..."

Yi Xiao quickly followed him out of the house, his pale eyes fixed on the direction of the powerful aura. He muttered to himself, then raised his left hand, a purple halo flashing across it.

"Brother Mu, let's have a good fight..."

After saying this with a smile, he quickly headed towards the village. Despite being blind, his speed was by no means slow.

The screen rotates

Mu Chong had walked this path down the mountain countless times, but now it felt incredibly long to him.

"No, it can't be, Auntie Nuo..."

Mu Chong, running, had a face full of urgency, and even his eyes were a little red. It was all too sudden.

"Ok?"

Suddenly, Mu Chong felt his body become incredibly light, and the gravity that had been weighing him disappeared.

"Uncle Yixiao is just in time..."

call……

Mu Chong pushed off with his feet, his running speed suddenly increasing. With the trees swaying on either side, he vanished from the spot, leaving only a blur.

……

Time Rewind

bang bang bang...

"Damn it, I almost froze to death at sea! Finally, there's an island where we can dock. Captain, shall we get going?"

Not far from the village, a huge wooden ship, as tall as a three- or four-story building, was moored on the coast. Atop a towering mast hung a flag bearing a skull and crossbones—a pirate flag.

Meanwhile, on the shore directly in front of the giant ship, a group of burly men stood, their eyes bloodshot as they stared at the village. One of them, carrying a short gun and a large knife slung across his back, was questioning a man dressed as a captain standing in front of him.

"Hahahaha, Will, is that even a question? My dear first mate, landing on this island in this freezing weather, did you come here to see the snow?"

The man dressed as a captain wore a cruel smile.

"Men, the old rules apply. On this island, kill anything you see that's alive, and burn anything that's dead. So, unleash your fury..."

After the pirate captain finished speaking with cruel words, he waved his hand, and all the burly men behind him roared loudly.

"Roar, long live the captain..."

"Get out of the way, I'm going to play with some women."

"Get out of my way, all of you! The treasure is all mine..."

bang bang bang...

A horde of demons, like devils from hell, charged with insatiable hunger toward the village already engulfed in artillery fire.

As the chaotic sounds of gunfire and artillery fire erupted, the entire village was instantly thrown into chaos.

"Pirates! Pirates! Help!"

"Mommy, where are you, Mommy..."

"Damn it, those despicable pirates again! Give me back my son's life..."

"Hmph, a bunch of damned trash who dare to resist? Come and taste my hammer!"

A pirate, wielding a massive hammer, swung it around and smashed it down on a villager who was charging at him.

boom……

puff...

With just one contact, the villager's head exploded like a watermelon; the scene was extremely bloody.

"Hahaha, that's the feeling, the taste of blood!"

The pirate stuck out his tongue and licked the blood splattered on his hand, saying cruelly...

"Dolph, you're getting more and more cruel, you piece of trash..."

After shooting and killing a villager, Will walked up, carrying a large knife, and said to Dolph...

"Hmph, Will, stop pretending. When it comes to cruelty, who can compare to you who eats human flesh?"

Dolph stared at Will, a barely perceptible glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes.

"What, want to try my big sword, Dolph..."

"Enough, you two idiots! Quiet down and finish dealing with this village. If you keep me from resting, I'll skin you alive!"

Just as the two seemed to be about to start a fight, the captain, who had just given the orders, shouted angrily and stopped them.

"Yes, my Captain Andrew..."

"Haha, then let's have some fun with these lovely villagers, make sure I have a great time..."

Will's face twisted into a ferocious expression as he slowly approached the surrounded villagers.