One Piece: The Story of a Girl Who Ate the Ice-Ice Fruit

Half-frozen, they huddled in the bathroom using water to melt the ice from their bodies. Someone with medical knowledge took charge, and they warmed their numbed limbs with hot soup. Freezing human bodies was a first for everyone involved, even Junshi's arms bore traces of ice, though his injuries were far less severe than the others. Once he'd recovered enough, he began discussing the situation with Kanata and the mafia boss: a burly, shaved-headed man named Georges.

In the farthest room, a girl sat on the sofa with her legs crossed, her long black hair tied in a ponytail. Georges placed a cup of tea in front of her. To prove there was no poison, Junshi sipped from three separate cups, and Kanata drank the tea as a show of trust.

First, Kanata explained her situation, then informed them that she had no concrete plans for the future.

"I see. So that's how it is."

"I don't really have anything specific I want to do. But I need money to survive."

Georges shrank back, feeling as though he was being stared at by crimson eyes.

While he listened nervously, Junshi pondered their options.

Originally, this mafia family was just a small organization with modest influence on the island. They had some connections with the local authorities, but they weren't particularly powerful. Even considering their vested interests, there wasn't much inter-island trade. One reason slave ships attempted to pass through this area was because it was close to the open sea, where sea monsters were common. Rarely, but sometimes, Sea Kings would appear. Ships hardly ever ventured through these waters.

But with Kanata, the situation was entirely different.

With her abilities, she could transport supplies far more safely than other vessels.

"Georges, listen carefully."

"Y-yes! What is it, sir?"

Junshi thought the man had become quite servile. He used to have some backbone, but ever since being thoroughly beaten by Kanata, he'd become like this. It was understandable, in a way, he'd been confronted by a rare type of Devil Fruit user, someone with abilities that were considered extraordinary.

Junshi didn't feel this way himself, but discrimination against ability users ran deep. It wasn't uncommon for children to accidentally say the wrong thing and be branded "devil's child," then persecuted for it.

She must be afraid of this power she wielded, a force she couldn't fully understand.

"You must know someone in the shipping business. Go find them."

"What? You want me to help you!?"

"You won't get anywhere just doing these petty jobs. If this goes well, we could make real profit."

"I see... All right, I'll go. I'll leave the rest to you!"

With that, Georges rushed out of the room and practically fled. Junshi couldn't help but sigh as he settled back onto the sofa.

The organization's leader was gone, but it shouldn't be a major problem. Once Junshi and Kanata decided on a course of action, Georges wouldn't have the courage to argue.

"Sorry about that. He's cowardly despite his size."

"It's fine. So, what are we going to do?"

"If we get a ship, we'll handle shipping. There aren't many vessels around here, so trading should bring decent profit."

"I see."

"You'll have to help out too."

"Understood."

Kanata's response was brief.

In truth, there wasn't much else she could do. Money was necessary for everything, and if she could earn it herself, that was preferable. Even the unexpected power of the Hie Hie no Mi, if it had any practical use, it was worth exploiting.

"What should I do?"

"Guard the ship. I'll accompany you, but you'll be more useful on deck."

"I only recently obtained this power. I'd like to practice controlling it."

"We'll need time for that as well. There's a beach west of town, opposite the port. That would be a good place to train."

"Perfect."

There was nothing else pressing to attend to. Kanata decided to head to the beach, thinking that precise control over her power would prove invaluable.

Junshi gathered the others and explained the plan, instructing them to return the next day.

He wasn't sure who actually ran this organization, but since the supposed leader turned out to be such a pushover, there wasn't much to be done about it. He wondered if they should rough Georges up a bit to toughen him up. Even staying inside the building, he would only be feared from a distance.

Junshi felt like sighing but suppressed it, leaving the building and heading west.

The scent of salt air and the sound of waves filled the atmosphere, accompanied by the distant cries of seagulls. He walked along the sandy beach and sat down on a random rock.

(...Why am I so afraid of this power?)

She had only frozen things slightly, but... Even though she didn't think she'd done anything particularly terrible, she hadn't realized how threatening it appeared to others. It seemed that because her ability was so potent, even minimal effort was enough to alarm people—which was somewhat problematic.

For now, I'll test just how powerful this ability really is.

With that thought, she went to the water's edge and dipped her hand into the sea.

It was said that Devil Fruit users were generally despised by the sea and couldn't move when submerged. Of course, this shallow contact wasn't enough to disable her, but Kanata thought it was unfortunate that she could no longer swim. Being unable to swim was potentially fatal for someone whose work involved being on boats. She would have to think of a solution.

Well, that can wait, she thought, refocusing her attention.

(Now, what would happen if I used my full strength?)

Closing her eyes and concentrating, she activated her ability with everything she had.

The breath she exhaled turned pure white.

She felt the temperature around her plummet dramatically.

She could tell that the sound of the waves had stopped.

When she opened her eyes, everything around her was completely frozen solid.

(...So this is it.)

I see. This is indeed something to be feared.

I didn't realize I possessed this much power.

Even when she hurled a large nearby rock at the ice, it didn't crack. When she jumped repeatedly on the frozen surface of the shallow water near the shore, not even a hairline fracture appeared.

If I fall into the sea, I can freeze the surface and walk across it, so it shouldn't be too inconvenient, Kanata thought absently.

Her next thought was, "How do I get back?" But since she couldn't control ice after freezing it, she gave up on that idea and tried creating a spear from ice instead.

As the name "Hie Hie no Mi" suggested, the fundamental ability was manipulating frigid air. Once something was frozen, it couldn't be altered further. Perhaps with practice, she could learn to control frozen objects as well.

Deciding that was sufficient for now, she resolved to return to town for the day.

The next morning, she was scolded by Junshi.

☆

A week later, Georges's subordinate reported that preparations for the voyage were complete, so Junshi accompanied him to the port.

While loading cargo, crew members, and other necessary supplies onto the ship, Kanata approached Junshi. It would be faster to ask this man than their useless leader.

"Where are we heading first?"

"To an island called Tija. It's relatively close. With abilities like yours, sea beasts and Sea Kings shouldn't pose too much of a threat."

Incidentally, Kanata hadn't returned to the beach since the day after she'd frozen everything, but apparently the ice still hadn't melted.

"I've never faced giant creatures before. I'd prefer not to have the opportunity to fight them."

"Haha, you're right about that! Sea beasts are one thing, but Sea Kings are an entirely different matter."

"...Are you planning to fight them bare-handed?"

"I can use a spear, but I primarily fight with my bare hands. A Haki user can easily shatter steel with their fists alone."

"Haki?" Kanata tilted her head in confusion. She tried to recall her vague knowledge of the term, but before she could remember, Junshi explained clearly.

"'Armament Haki' allows you to grasp the true form of ability users like yourself. 'Observation Haki' lets you sense an opponent's presence more acutely. And 'Conqueror's Haki' enables you to intimidate those around you. These three types are collectively known as 'Haki.'"

"Such a thing really exists? You didn't use it when we first fought."

"Of course not. Even with Observation Haki for reconnaissance, you were just an amateur girl. There was no need to use Armament Haki against such an opponent."

He would employ it without hesitation if necessary, but in that situation, he'd judged it unnecessary. Should she call it luck? Since they'd managed to bring her to their side, perhaps it was for the best. It was also a technique worth learning if needed.

"...Time's up. I'm staying here, boss."

"All right. I'll go with the girl, but don't forget we're partners in this."

"I know, I know, boss. Don't worry about it. I'm ready."

Georges scratched his shaved head and sighed. Meeting Kanata had been the end of his good fortune, he thought.

Ignoring Georges, Kanata boarded the ship with Junshi.

"Cast off! Hoist the sails!"

In response to Junshi's command, the crew members raised the sails in unison. As the ship began to move, Kanata turned once toward the shore to look at Georges.

He must have noticed her watching, as he raised his hand slightly and called out, "Do your best, young lady!"

She smiled and waved back once. After taking one last look at Georges's surprised expression, Kanata entered the cabin.

I wonder if "young lady" is his standard term of address, she mused.

☆

It took approximately three days to reach Tija Island.

The voyage proceeded smoothly without incident, and they arrived on schedule.

"Is there anything noteworthy about this place?"

"Well, I'm not certain... I heard this island is positioned right next to another one, so there's hardly any contact with other islands."

"I see. I'm going to explore for a bit. Is that all right?"

"Got it. I'll inform the boss."

"Thanks. I'll be back soon."

She said this to the only crew member who could converse normally with Kanata, then disembarked.

Junshi had accompanied the others as a bodyguard for negotiations, so she now had some free time. With little to do besides reading News Coo newspapers over the past three days, she felt lighthearted to be back on solid ground.

The island wasn't particularly large, just one moderately sized town and rolling hills dotted with fields and pastures. It wouldn't take long to explore everything.

She headed toward the town from the port.

Being an outsider, and with Kanata's striking beauty despite her youth, she attracted considerable attention. There didn't seem to be much available for trade, but Kanata thought they could profit by buying and selling food or textiles that weren't available on Georges's island.

After exploring the town, she climbed partway up the mountain to examine the crops.

The climate here was stable, likely due to the mountain's proximity. The crops appeared to grow easily in these conditions.

(...Hmm?)

While livestock grazed peacefully in the pastures, she noticed several adults climbing the mountain. Looking more closely, she saw that the path they'd taken was well-worn, indicating frequent use.

Curiosity overcoming caution, Kanata quietly followed them.

Before long, they reached a clearing. Kanata concealed herself in nearby bushes to avoid detection.

There was a large cage in the center.

The adults were hurling insults at whoever was trapped inside, occasionally throwing stones at the cage as well.

(Is there a criminal imprisoned here?)

This was common on rural islands, where the mayor could determine guilt in the event of a crime. The situation differed on larger islands that could be called kingdoms or were World Government members, but this island wasn't one of those.

This island must operate under its own unique judicial system.

Eventually, the adults turned and descended the mountain along the same path.

Kanata emerged from the bushes and approached the cage to examine the supposed criminal inside.

The prisoner was a young man with dark skin covered in tattoos. He appeared to have been struck by stones, but showed no visible injuries.

Lying inside the cage, he regarded Kanata with a suspicious expression as she approached.

"Who are you? I haven't seen you before. Did you just arrive on this island?"

"I'm Kanata. I'm a merchant here on a trading venture."

That was the truth. The ship effectively belonged to her, and she was using it to conduct business alongside Georges and the others.

Hearing this, he laughed.

"That's unusual. There's nothing worthwhile here, but enjoy your stay."

"Saying that from inside a cage..."

"Exactly."

Kanata looked at him with a puzzled expression as he continued laughing.

Despite enduring such unbearable insults, being pelted with stones, and having malice directed at him, he seemed twisted but not broken.

As if reading her expression, he spoke.

"I've always been called names and had stones thrown at me. It's all I've ever known."

"..."

"I can't remember exactly when, but there was once someone incredibly kind who tried to help me. But, well... the fact that I'm still here shows how that turned out."

"I see," Kanata murmured simply.

Perhaps glad to have someone to talk to, he began speaking again without prompting.

One day, the people of this island discovered that he had eaten a Devil Fruit, and since then he'd been imprisoned and mistreated here. At one point, someone claiming to be a "hero of justice" had arrived from elsewhere and attempted to rescue him, but failed. That "hero of justice" had taught him various things during their time together.

There were probably countless stories he wanted to share. Kanata listened intently, nodding in response.

"—Oh, it's already evening. Sorry, I've been talking your ear off."

"It's fine. It was an interesting story."

"I'm glad you think so. It's just my little tale about this place."

He mentioned that being pelted with stones was the lightest punishment, he'd also had his limbs crushed, his throat slit, and been burned with fire. Kanata suspected that the reason he remained alive and intact was likely due to the power of the Devil Fruit he'd consumed.

She thought she might have ended up in a similar situation.

As the thought occurred to her, she found herself speaking without realizing it.

"What's your name?"

"Huh? I haven't been called by my name in so long... I've practically forgotten it myself. You can call me whatever you like."

"Then I'll call you Kuro. Do you want to come with me?"

The man now called Kuro's eyes widened in surprise at Kanata's words.

"Hey, where do you think you're taking this creepy, useless weakling? Planning to use him as a slave?"

"Not at all. I just thought he seemed interesting."

"I'm a monster. As I mentioned, I've been tortured in every conceivable way, but I'm still alive and kicking."

"I'm similar. Don't you think monsters should stick together?"

While generating frigid air from her right hand, Kanata showed no signs of backing down, and Kuro laughed.

"Hahahaha! I see, monsters licking each other's wounds! Well, that might not be so terrible after all!"

"So what do you say?"

"Hmm... All right, take me with you. Being around you seems like it'll be interesting."

"Deal. Follow me."

Using frigid air cooled to extreme temperatures, she shattered the cage and pulled Kuro free.

Stretching his back for the first time in ages, he turned toward Kanata.

"All right then, let's get along from now on, miss. I'm Kuro. I'm a darkness human who ate the Yami Yami no Mi."