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

When he returned to the ship with Kuro in tow, Junshi gave him a strange look.

"Hello there! Nice to meet you. I'm Kuro. The young lady said I could join you, so here I am!"

"This guy's also a Devil Fruit user. I brought him along for various reasons."

Junshi pressed his hand to his forehead as if nursing a headache.

It seemed as though he had already resigned himself to being a man who'd seen too much trouble, but he decided not to dwell on it.

"...Was that man on this island?"

"Yes. I'll explain the details later. It's better if the islanders don't see him."

"Troublesome. I wish you had consulted me first."

Junshi said this and boarded the ship.

Kuro shrugged at Kanata and laughed. "Hey, hey, even if you kick me out now, I've got nowhere else to go."

They entered the cabin, where Junshi dropped heavily onto the sofa. Kanata and Kuro settled on either side of him.

"So, what's the story?"

Kanata briefly explained how she'd been walking around all day, found Kuro near the mountain peak, and learned about his circumstances.

Despite it being his own tale, Kuro left the explanation to Kanata and observed the cabin with keen interest.

"...I see."

After glancing at Kuro, Junshi leaned back against the sofa cushions once he'd heard the full explanation.

He sighed—a mixture of exasperation and resignation—and turned his gaze toward Kanata.

"This island has a high likelihood of establishing a regular shipping route. Are you sure we should abandon that opportunity?"

"Business can be conducted on other islands. But this man is one of a kind."

"I see. Then it's fine."

Junshi had always served as her bodyguard. He probably felt it wasn't his place to interfere with her decisions.

The negotiator might get angry, but that was Kanata's problem to handle. Junshi wasn't there to play nursemaid.

Besides, he was personally interested in Devil Fruit users.

"Kuro, what kind of Devil Fruit ability do you possess?"

"Hmm? The one I ate is called the Yami Yami Fruit, but as for what it can actually do... I haven't used it much, so I don't really know."

It seemed the only thing he knew for certain was that he could endure pain beyond human limits.

He also appeared to understand that he could literally manifest "darkness," but the specifics remained unclear.

"Experimenting on the open sea would be risky. Make sure you understand your abilities to some extent once we reach the next island."

"Got it."

The two shook hands, agreeing to work together for the time being.

Kanata ignored their exchange and pulled out a map to confirm their next destination.

They would depart from their original port, Marx Island, head to Tija Island, then pass through another island before returning to Marx Island.

"Which island are we heading to next?"

"Ohara. I hear it's an island where archaeologists from around the world gather."

"An island of scholars? If there are any interesting books, I might pick one up."

Knowledge was necessary for survival. While violence could solve many problems, it didn't always provide lasting solutions.

There were things Kanata wanted to learn if the opportunity arose.

As Kanata pondered this, Junshi voiced another concern.

"We're getting closer to their territory. We need to be careful."

"Is something going on?"

"There's a gang based in the Flower Kingdom. They're called the Happo Navy."

All of their high-ranking members are Haki users. Even if you're a powerful Devil Fruit user, you'd be at a disadvantage against them.

The bitter expression on his face suggested painful memories, but Kanata didn't try to pry them from him.

If it was necessary, he'd share it himself. They'd only known each other for a short time—such reticence was understandable.

"I've been hearing a lot about them lately. With their leadership having changed, they're apparently desperate to expand their influence."

"Hmm... Let's hope we don't cross paths with them."

"Exactly."

Junshi probably wanted to fight them, but he understood his role didn't allow for such recklessness.

After confirming their route, cargo, and crew roster, they set sail at dawn.

Since Kanata was officially the captain, she finished coordinating everything with the navigator before calling it a night.

☆

The wind was calm. The waves rolled gently, and the sky stretched clear and blue.

A perfect day to set sail, Kanata murmured to herself.

After completing the final checks, they hoisted all sails at once. The voyage to Ohara would take approximately four days.

Kanata read the News Coo newspaper and savored the leisurely journey.

Junshi was conducting his daily training while Kuro watched with fascination.

The newspaper reported that the Happo Navy had attacked a merchant vessel—just as they'd discussed the previous night.

"...I suppose I should learn how to use Haki as well."

"If you rely solely on your Devil Fruit abilities, you'll eventually stumble. If you're going to train, the sooner the better."

"I hardly ever exercise. Can I really master something like that?"

"It's a matter of natural talent. I can't make any guarantees."

Including Kuro, who found the prospect intriguing, Kanata decided to begin training in Haki.

Following Junshi's advice that Armament Haki was best learned alongside physical conditioning, they started by focusing on Observation Haki.

"What should I do?"

"It's not overly complex. I'll blindfold you, and you'll have to catch me using only your other senses."

Perceiving one's surroundings without relying on sight or sound—that was the essence of Observation Haki.

Kanata and Kuro stood back-to-back on the deck while Junshi moved silently around them.

Of course, this wasn't something that could be mastered overnight. It was an advanced technique that might only be acquired through relentless practice.

☆

Three days passed in this fashion.

Today, as they were conducting their usual Haki training, a loud warning rang out from the crow's nest.

"Enemy attack! Pirate ship at nine o'clock!"

They rushed onto the deck to confirm the enemy vessel.

A pirate flag snapped in the wind, with a large skull emblazoned on the sail.

"Which pirate crew is that?"

"That's... not on the Navy's wanted list!"

"What? Does that mean they're rookies?"

When registering their merchant vessel, they'd received precautionary lists from the Navy detailing coastal hazards and recently active pirate crews. However, the pirates currently attacking them weren't on any of those lists.

As they conferred with the crew, the pirate ship steadily approached. Deciding that allowing them to get closer would be unwise, Kanata turned toward Junshi.

"What should we do? At this distance, I can freeze the sea and we can escape before they engage us."

"...True. If they board our ship, we'll be in real trouble. I can handle myself, but what about the rest of you?"

They were essentially just a small syndicate that used to cause trouble on land. Judging that a battle with genuine pirates would be beyond their capabilities, Kanata decided to counterattack using her abilities.

The plan was straightforward—manipulate the frigid air to freeze the waters around the enemy ship.

She turned the surrounding area to ice, intending to escape while the enemy pirates' vessel was immobilized—but then.

"—They're firing!"

As the thunderous boom of cannon fire echoed across the water, Junshi sprang into action and deflected the cannonball that had been fired directly at their ship.

The enemy wasn't giving up, launching cannonballs to shatter the ice or leaping from their ship to mount an assault.

"Hurry up and put some distance between us!"

The navigator shouted orders in coordination with Junshi's counterattack. Their ship veered slightly off course, but there was no time for hesitation.

They immediately reported to the Navy and began their escape.

Fortunately, their vessel wasn't particularly large, allowing them to maneuver quickly and evade pursuit. The enemy ship was more than twice their size, but it remained trapped in the ice and couldn't move—putting it well out of cannon range.

"Are we safe now that we're this far away?"

"That was incredible, sir. I had no idea cannonballs could be deflected like that."

"With enough practice, anything's possible."

Junshi and Kanata kept a vigilant eye on the pirate ship.

Once it disappeared from view, they finally allowed themselves to relax.

"To encounter pirates on our very first voyage. What rotten luck."

"It doesn't matter. Now I know I can repel them with my own strength."

"Against rookies, perhaps."

Junshi couldn't help but mutter under his breath at Kanata's confident words.

Had they been seasoned pirates, they might have found themselves overwhelmed. Junshi understood that complacency and arrogance would only lead to their destruction.

☆

Several hours later, a Navy warship arrived in response to their report and requested an investigation.

Kanata, who had nothing to conceal, readily agreed, but it was the Marines who seemed more bewildered.

After all, among those summoned as responsible parties was a ten-year-old girl. It would have been stranger if they hadn't been confused.

In any case, Scotch—the navigator and organizational representative—was chosen to lead the inquiry.

Kanata, boarding a warship for the first time, looked around with curiosity at the Marines and cannons, while Junshi occasionally reminded her not to wander too far.

"This way."

The Marine guide led them to a powerfully built man.

The man, with his black hair cropped short, sat comfortably on a sofa, munching on rice crackers.

"Hey, you're here! What's with the kid? Here, have some senbei!"

"I'll take some."

"Excellent! They're delicious! Want some tea as well?"

Kanata accepted a piece of senbei and bit into it with a satisfying crunch. Junshi glanced at their Marine guide, who shook his head apologetically.

Chuckling, the man poured tea and gestured for them to sit. Kanata, Junshi, and Scotch settled onto the sofa as directed, while Marine subordinates placed teacups before them.

"Right then, let's start with introductions. I'm Garp. Monkey D. Garp. I'm fairly high up in the ranks."

"I'm Scotch, the acting supervisor."

"I'm Junshi, the bodyguard."

"I'm Kanata, a representative."

"Let's get this over with quickly," Garp said, looking somewhat bored, and proceeded to ask several questions while his subordinates took notes.

It appeared to be purely routine procedure—something to be filed when they were dispatched in response to a report.

After completing the basic report, Garp munched thoughtfully on his crackers and muttered,

"What the hell? Some no-name pirates? I thought it might be the Happo Navy."

"Has the damage been increasing lately?"

"Hmm. I'd like to wipe them out if possible, but they've infiltrated the Flower Kingdom's military. We can't afford to make any reckless moves."

Scotch wondered if it was appropriate to discuss such matters with civilians, but it seemed the Happo Navy was already common knowledge.

Garp couldn't remain in these waters indefinitely. He probably wanted to keep their activities in check, but the current political situation made that difficult.

"Things are unstable right now. These waters might get rougher. Be careful if you plan to continue doing business here."

"Thank you for the warning."

"You be careful too, little miss!"

Garp smiled warmly at Kanata, who nodded while continuing to eat her senbei.

With their business concluded, Scotch and Kanata rose to return to their ship. Among them, only Junshi remained focused on Garp.

"Garp-sama. I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"I'd like to have a sparring match."

"Hah! A match against me? Alright, let's head to the deck."

Junshi's earnest request was readily accepted, and Garp strode from the room first.

Kanata glanced at Junshi, but perhaps because he was about to face a formidable opponent like Garp, he smiled like a predator scenting prey.

She shrugged at Scotch as if to say "there's nothing we can do about it," then followed Garp out onto the deck.

The sun blazed overhead. Kanata and Scotch moved to the sidelines and watched as Garp and Junshi faced each other.

"Alright, come at me however you like!"

Garp stood confidently on the deck, waiting. Sailors gathered around them, but the two combatants seemed oblivious to the audience.

"Then I'll take you up on that offer."

Observing Junshi's quiet stance, Garp noticed something.

"That form... Are you from the Flower Kingdom?"

"Indeed. But that's all I am. I have no connection to the Happo Navy."

"Then we have no problems."

Junshi lowered his stance, regulated his breathing, and enveloped himself in an aura of Haki.

Garp also grinned as he assumed his fighting posture, wrapping his fist in a similar aura.

After a moment of tense silence—with a step so forceful it seemed the deck might buckle—Junshi dove into Garp's guard and unleashed his strike.

"Haah—!"

"Nuu—!"

Their fists collided.

The intense Haki surrounding their fists caused the very air to vibrate violently.

Eventually, both men stepped back as if repelled by equal force, and Junshi bowed respectfully to Garp.

"...Thank you."

"Bwahahaha! That was nothing!"

There are things you can only understand through the exchange of blows—men like this, Kanata mused.

After trading a few more words, Junshi returned to Kanata's side with a refreshed expression.

"Sorry for doing that without asking permission."

"It's fine. You must have gained something valuable from it."

As they prepared to return to their ship, Kanata suddenly stopped and turned around.

"Oh, Garp-sama."

"Yes, what is it, young lady?"

"About those pirates from earlier—they're probably still trapped in the ice. It would be a great help if you could sink them."

"That's no problem at all."

"Thank you, Garp-sama."

Thinking that Kanata's casual attitude toward Garp's response was somewhat concerning, Scotch hurriedly bowed his head.

Having said what they needed to say, Kanata and the others returned to their ship.

☆

After Kanata and her companions had departed.

Arriving at the location where they'd been attacked earlier, Garp's men were rendered speechless.

"What in the world..."

"I see. They've been completely immobilized."

The entire area was frozen solid, with a ship trapped motionless in the ice. It bore a pirate flag and had a skull emblazoned on its sails—undoubtedly a pirate vessel.

Without a moment's hesitation, Garp fired a cannonball and sank the ship, leaving the cleanup to his subordinates.

That girl seemed unusually calm for someone who'd been attacked by pirates... Was she really a Devil Fruit user?

If she knew she could handle the situation herself, her composure made perfect sense.

Then he recalled the man who had exchanged blows with him.

That fist, wrapped in such overwhelming Haki—it's rare to see technique of that caliber. It was no worse than Chinjao's.

If that man served as her bodyguard, there was no need for excessive concern, he thought, unable to suppress a grin.

I'd like to do that again. With that pleasant thought, he returned to his quarters.

***

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[10 Advanced Chs][7 Chapters/week]