ONE PIECE: FLOW OF FATE

As the two agreed and continued towards the edge of the off-limits forest, a complex thought ran through Renjiro's mind. Living in the North Blue isn't bad by any means, but my only real chance of getting stronger—strong enough to protect what's precious to me here—is the Marines. Becoming a pirate is akin to just discarding my life, despite how much I abhor the World Government. He was acutely aware of the World Government's tactics and corruption, yet he couldn't think of any other way to gain the necessary power than through this "safest" route.

"Brother, look, look! We're at the forest's edge! Today will mark our greatest expedition yet!" Renzo screamed, practically vibrating with excitement.

Renjiro let out an internal sigh. When will we just grow up? This is getting tiring, but I did enjoy it, didn't I? He looked at Renzo and smiled, the warmth of his new life momentarily overshadowing his concerns. "Remember, stay close to me and don't wander away. We don't know what might happen. Also, we won't go too far, okay?!" Renjiro exclaimed, his voice firm, which visibly saddened Renzo.

"Okay?" Renzo pouted, his earlier excitement deflating slightly.

They entered the forest. At first, it was calm, filled with the chirping of birds and the rustling sounds of unseen animals.

Such a peaceful scenery, Renjiro mused internally. This does remind me of the lore of the One Piece world. It was said that the Grand Line itself contains more than 20 million islands, and adding to Oda's weird choice of drawing, I'm probably in for a treat.

They continued deeper until Renzo suddenly stopped.

"Brother, umm, I need to pee," he mumbled, hopping from one foot to the other, holding his bladder.

Renjiro sighed. "Okay, umm, go to that tree right there," he said, pointing to a tree a little to their north, while he remained seated, lost in thought.

Getting a Devil Fruit isn't ideal at all; I might get a shitty one. Even getting a Mythical Zoan or anything close to it isn't practical. The best route is to learn Haki. Even though he was in the body of a four-year-old, his sixteen-year-old mental self was constantly thinking of survival.

Just then, they heard a sudden, deep thump from farther within the forest.

Glummp.

Renzo, halfway through his process of relieving himself, jumped and scrambled back to Renjiro.

"Brother, what was that?" he whispered, clutching Renjiro's arm.

"Shit!" Renjiro inwardly cursed. "Don't panic," he said, forcing a critical smile. "And pull your pants up. As long as I'm here, what can stop R&R?" He hoped his false bravado would lighten the mood.

From afar, Renjiro noticed a massive claw print imprinted on a nearby tree trunk.

Renjiro's mind raced. Okay, I need to think. We need to quietly exit from here without making a sound. He turned and whispered into Renzo's ear.

"Renzo, if you want to have a great adventure, listen to me and keep your mouth shut."

Renzo, wide-eyed and terrified, understood instantly. He clapped his hands over his mouth, tears welling in his eyes.

Together, they slowly turned around, quietly taking one careful step at a time, backing away from where they had come.

Just as Renjiro felt the invisible pressure of the threat begin to disperse, a sudden, thunderous roar erupted from deeper within the forest, chilling them to the bone.

Glummp!

A massive, abnormally large bear, chasing other animals, burst into view in the distance. Its eyes immediately locked onto the two small figures.

"Run, Renzo! Hold my arm! RUN!" Renjiro yelled, his voice strained with urgency.

They both mustered every ounce of strength they had, trying to outrun the incoming threat.

"ROOAARR!!!" A deafening scream tore through the air from the wild bear, agitating the surrounding animals. Small creatures scattered, disappearing into the undergrowth as the ground trembled.

Shit, shit, shit. My first day exploring a forest might end up costing me my second life! Renjiro's mind screamed. He couldn't just throw away this new existence. Getting transmigrated into an anime world didn't happen often, and he wouldn't squander it.

As they ran, Renzo tripped over his feet.

"Ah!" he cried out, sprawled on the ground in the increasingly chaotic forest.

"Renzo! Just grab my hand! We don't have time!" Renjiro screamed, pulling at his foster brother with all his might.

In that very moment, the monstrous bear lunged, its massive body coiling in mid-air. It slammed a paw down with full force, slapping Renjiro across the clearing and sending him careening into a tree trunk.

"Ahhh!" Renjiro screamed, coughing up a sickening amount of blood. His vision swam, but his focus snapped to Renzo.

"No, no, no!" Renjiro internally yelled. I can't go out like this! Not after being given a second chance at life, finally finding a loving family and peace, with no disease. Please, God, oh please! He internally pleaded, his gaze fixed on the horrifying scene. The massive bear loomed over Renzo, its shadow swallowing the terrified child. Renzo's eyes, wide with fear, locked onto his brother—a desperate, pleading look that screamed for help.

"NOO!" Renjiro screamed, a raw, guttural cry. "RENZO!"

The bear let out another thunderous roar directly at Renzo, only making the kid cry harder. "Brother, go! I'll be okay!" Renzo shrieked, tears streaming down his face.

Renjiro couldn't think twice. He staggered to his feet, his hand instinctively covering a reddened area on his abdomen. I can't lose once more. I can't lose at all. If only I had strength. If only I had the means to protect!

He began walking forward, stumbling, as the bear coiled, ready to launch its fatal attack on Renzo. Renjiro continued his slow, defiant march, tears blurring his vision, whispering brokenly.

Please stop... please don't kill my brother.

In that moment of absolute emotional crisis, of pure, desperate will, he let out a final, agonizing scream.

"STOOOOOOOOP!!!"

Suddenly, an invisible, crushing wave erupted, covering the entire forest. All living things—including Renjiro—fainted. The ground trembled. Animals, great and small, ran for their lives, their primal instincts overriding all else. Even the colossal wild bear, momentarily stunned, turned and bolted, disappearing into the panicked chaos of the woods.

In the distant shadows, a figure smiled, a faint, knowing expression on their face. "The flow of fate has manifested," they remarked softly, before disappearing as silently as they had appeared.

Hours later, Renjiro awoke with a jolt, pain searing through his body. His throat was dry, and the familiar coppery taste of blood coated his tongue. It was late afternoon, the sunlight filtering softly through the canopy. The very forest where they had almost died was eerily quiet now, save for the casual chirping of birds and the rustle of leaves.

Cough, cough, he managed, trying to push himself up. He swayed, then instinctively remembered his little brother.

"Renzo? Renzo!" he called out, his voice hoarse, frantically scanning the surrounding ground. His gaze fell upon a small, unconscious form nearby.

"Renzo, you're alright! Thank goodness," he whispered, tears stinging his eyes as he knelt beside his foster brother. I promised to protect you, even if it meant my life.

He carefully scooped the boy into his arms, but the effort was too much. His vision blurred, and his legs trembled under Renzo's weight. He managed only a few stumbling steps before collapsing against a nearby tree. Just then, familiar voices broke through the ringing in his ears.

"Huff, huff, huff… where were you?! We were looking all over for you guys! What even happened here? Why are you bleeding?" Bram's voice was laced with a mix of relief and barely contained panic, sweat beading on his brow as he rushed towards them, clearly imagining the worst.

"Idiot! I always told you not to come here, just as Grandpa said, and you just had to disobey, Renjiro!" Yurie cried, her face twisted with a mixture of anger and fear as a tear escaped her eye.

Renjiro laughed, a somewhat hollow sound. He wasn't used to having people worry about him on Earth, especially when he was hurt. "I'm pretty sure Renzo would be mad if I took the spotlight from him. When he wakes up, let him spill whatever happened here to you guys," he said, giggling despite the pain.

"You!" Yurie exclaimed, grabbing Renjiro's ear. "You can't just laugh it off and act like nothing happened!" she scolded him, her voice trembling slightly.

"Ouch! Let go, Yurie, that hurts!" Renjiro yelped in pain.

"Ho ho ho," Bram chuckled, though a hint of nerves was in his eyes. He carefully lifted Renzo's unconscious body. "Well, Yurie's right. If Kaia hears of this, we're all dead meat, ho ho ho." With that, they left the unsettling quiet of the forest.