ONE PIECE: FLOW OF FATE

They had successfully defeated a formidable predator of the forest after a truly intimidating moment.

As they descended the tree, Bram was astonished by the sheer size of the fallen animal, despite his familiarity with it. "Ho ho ho! The size of this beast never fails to astonish me! Now you have something to brag about in town: a four-year-old shooting a Gloomfur Bear! What an event!"

Renjiro thought to himself, What a huge animal, at face value. Hard to believe I killed it. Although it doesn't pose a threat now, its sheer body mass still makes a person second-guess themselves.

The colossal animal was far too heavy for them to move on their own. Leaving it unattended meant another predator could easily steal their hard-earned prize. Luckily, their home was close by. Bram decided to take Renjiro home and then call for help from Drake and Coal.

"Let's go, boy, we can't pick this up ourselves. I'll take you home and get help," Bram said, already turning towards the path.

"But isn't leaving it here unattended dangerous? Another animal could eat it," Renjiro pointed out, still looking back at the massive carcass.

"True, but we'll be fast. Hurry up!"

They quickly departed from the forest towards Tundveil. As they entered the town, Coal was there and spotted them.

"Ha! If it isn't the kid with the balls of steel! How's your first hunt, kiddo?" Coal said, wrapping an arm around Bram.

Renjiro thought, "I mean, telling him I technically killed a Gloomfur Bear with Bram's help would seem so unrealistic to him, but Bram's with me, so it's alright."

"Me and Grandpa hunted a deer yesterday, and today we took down a Gloomfur Bear! It was so big!" Renjiro exclaimed, pretending to sound as childish as he could, cringing internally at his own act.

Coal's face contorted in confusion. "You... took down... a Gloomfur?" he stammered, pointing at Renjiro, then Bram, back and forth.

"Ho ho ho! Today we caught a big one! We don't have time, let's go get it! Call Drake, we'll be eating pretty good tonight!" Bram boomed, already eager to move.

Bram told Renjiro to go inside to Kaia and inform her.

I'm way too shocked from last night's event. I'm not sure if Grandpa is even thinking about it right now, but the severity of what happened can't be downplayed. I'll need to prepare even harder until next year for my sword lessons. I'll need to prepare harder than ever, Renjiro thought, a shiver running down his spine despite the warmth of the sun. He went inside and informed Kaia of their massive catch and what had transpired in the forest last night.

"I knew the forest was dangerous, but thank God you guys were safe!" Kaia exclaimed, her voice filled with relief.

From across the room, Renzo shouted, "I knew you would be safe anyway! Where Grandpa Bram and Renjiro are, even demons don't take that path!"

Yurie wasn't home; she was at Mr. Coal's house, gathering supplies for Kaia.

As Bram, Coal, and Drake (after he was called) finally brought the colossal Gloomfur Bear to town, the entire community erupted in excitement. Children bounced around, cheering, and adults hurried to get a glimpse of the legendary beast. The day passed normally after that, filled with the bustling activity of processing the bear and sharing tales of the extraordinary hunt.

A year after the Gloomfur hunt, Renjiro had dedicated himself to rigorous training. He spent his days learning not only how to hunt and skin animals but also honing his physical prowess. He joined his grandpa on many hunts, even some alongside Mr. Coal and his two sons, Lumi and Bumi, and Renzo, though those were for even larger prey than a Gloomfur Bear. His intense training eventually caught the attention of a few watchful eyes, notably Kaia. She initially scolded him, saying he was too young for such strenuous exercises. However, with Bram's persuasion, Renjiro was eventually allowed to continue.

One seemingly ordinary morning, as Renjiro prepared to start his first swordmanship lesson with Drake, newspapers came flying down, carried by the wind.

One of them, unfurling mid-air, landed directly at Renjiro's feet. Its headline screamed in bold, black letters: "ROGER, THE PIRATE KING, HAS REACHED THE FINAL ISLAND! THE GRAND LINE CONQUERED!"

Renjiro's eyes widened, scanning the rest of the page. Below the headline, smaller print detailed how Gol D. Roger had finally conquered the Grand Line, becoming the first to reach its legendary final island.

Bram, sensing the sudden shift in the boy's demeanor, stepped out of the house. He spotted the discarded newspaper, his gaze sharpening as he picked it up. His eyes quickly scanned the bold text, and a profound expression settled on his face.

"So, it truly has come to this," Bram murmured, more to himself than to Renjiro. He looked out at the sky, a distant, knowing look in his eyes. "Time moves forward, indeed. The world is about to enter a new era, boy."

Just then, Drake approached, having seen the commotion and the falling papers. He picked up one that had landed near the gate, his brow furrowing as he read.

"I've heard rumors and news around the capital," Drake stated, his voice low with a hint of awe. "Whispers of a strong pirate conquering the Grand Line. It seems today marks his final achievement."

The air in Tundveil, usually calm, began to buzz with distant shouts and the hurried footsteps of people running towards the town square, drawn by the same unbelievable news. The world was about to change.

Renjiro internally thought: Time is moving forward, and the violence will only increase. If Roger found the last island now, then his execution and the revelation of the One Piece are only a year ahead. If I want to keep up, I'll have to continue my training for about the next four years, then I'll enter the Marines. As of now, luckily, we're up north, but the North Blue is still one of the more dangerous seas, so it's a ticking time bomb here too. He stepped forward, worried because the future he knew continued to proceed, while he felt stuck in his place.

I'll have to somehow master Haki. Can I? I think I could. I mean, if I remember correctly, Usopp unlocked his without any mentor, although it was due to extreme pressure. Still, it's achievable. I'll use the knowledge I have from One Piece. Observation Haki will be my first step, but how do I teach myself? Walk around blindfolded? I'll think about this later.

Renjiro was in deep thought. He knew that to survive here means strength, and without it, his days are short. He pushed the thought away and went to stand in front of Drake, placing himself beside Maria.

I'll think about Haki after today's lesson. As of now, let's become a swordsman.

Bram stood there, a wide smile on his face. "I've raised a great husband for Maria, haven't I, Drake?" he laughed heartily, while Drake laughed even harder.

"You sure did! A Gloomfur slayer and exercise maniac at five, now learning swordsmanship? I can't find a better-suited man for my daughter!" they both erupted in laughter, as Maria's face turned beet red.

"Stop it, you idiots, or I'll leave!" she shouted in mock anger.

Renjiro wasn't fazed. He thought, And thus their shamelessness grows bit by bit, step by step. At this point, they could kill a Warlord with their shamelessness. Speaking of Warlords, at this time, they're not established yet, but I believe they will be in a few years.

Maria viewed Renjiro's composed face and wondered, Why am I always lumped with this kid? A kid younger than me? Father and Uncle Bram are out of their minds!

Bram turned and left, but not before playfully adding, "Take it easy, boy, you don't want to hurt your wife." He quickly vanished from the scene before Maria could erupt. She just threw the thought away, ready to focus on today's lesson.

Drake was ready to be a teacher. He had quit the Marines when he was a Master Chief Petty Officer, and his extensive experience and strength largely came from his time as a mercenary after leaving the service. His vast knowledge was so great that both Bram and Coal considered him stronger than them.

"Today will mark your first lesson, son in... I mean, Renjiro," Drake began, a visible nerve twitching in Maria's head, indicating to Drake that he shouldn't be playing around. Drake then thought, Okay, I gotta stop teasing these kids.

Drake led Renjiro and Maria to a clear patch of ground behind the house, far enough from the main paths of Tundveil to offer some privacy. The morning sun, now higher in the sky, dappled through the leaves of the surrounding trees, casting shifting shadows on the dry earth. Drake stood with a relaxed posture, yet Renjiro could feel an underlying tension, a coiled readiness that spoke of years spent in combat. Drake retrieved a simple wooden sword from a nearby shed – unornamented, solid, and surprisingly heavy.

"Alright, Renjiro," Drake began, his playful smirk replaced by a focused, almost stern expression that made him look every bit the hardened mercenary. "Forget everything you think you know about swords. Forget flashy moves or grand stances. A sword is an extension of your will, and before it can be that, it must be an extension of your body. We start with the basics, and the basics are brutal."

He demonstrated a simple grip, his large hand wrapping around the hilt. "Hold it like this. Firm, but not stiff. You're not strangling it, you're guiding it. Now, for your stance." Drake shifted his weight, legs spread, knees slightly bent, core tight – a simple, balanced posture that looked deceptively easy. "Mimic me. This isn't about looking good; it's about stability. Every attack, every defense, starts and ends here."

Renjiro, despite his internal knowledge of various sword styles from his past life, found himself struggling. The wooden sword, light in Drake's hands, felt cumbersome in his own small grasp. His five-year-old body was still far from developed, and mimicking Drake's seemingly effortless stance made his legs tremble almost immediately. He wobbled, trying to find his balance.

Drake watched with an unblinking gaze. "Good. Now, hold it. Just like that. For ten minutes. Don't move. Don't sway. If you drop it, we start over."

Maria, who had been watching silently from a small distance, couldn't help but let out a tiny giggle as Renjiro's determined face contorted with strain. She quickly covered her mouth, but a faint flush still spread across Renjiro's cheeks.

Ten minutes? Just standing here? This is even harder than the Gloomfur hunt! Renjiro's mind raced. My theoretical knowledge means nothing here. This is pure physical conditioning, pure discipline. But this is exactly what I need. If I can't even hold a stance, how can I hope to survive the New World? Haki... that's mental discipline too. This is the foundation. He clenched his jaw, focusing on keeping the sword steady, trying to ignore the growing ache in his arms and the subtle tremors in his legs. Every second counts. Every drop of sweat is a step closer to survival.

Drake remained silent, his eyes sharp, observing every tremor in Renjiro's small frame, letting the boy push his limits. The only sound was the rustle of leaves and Renjiro's strained breathing.