"You brat, don't you know those things live in groups?"
Kureha narrowed her eyes, anger creeping into her voice. "Did you really think your amateur skills could take on a pack of adult Lapahns?"
Seeing her genuine fury, Moses quickly explained:
"Hold on, let me explain! The one I encountered today was a lone juvenile, about 1.5 meters long—not fully grown yet. It ambushed me, and I fought back."
After giving a brief account, Moses sighed in relief as Kureha's expression softened slightly.
"Doctorine, how about we have roasted Lapahn for dinner tonight?"
Kureha glanced at the half-eaten Lapahn carcass Moses had dragged inside, surprise flickering in her eyes. "Where's the other half? Did you feed it to your Panda?"
Moses explained further, mentioning the tailor shop.
Kureha smirked coldly. "Oh? Wanting new clothes now? You could've just told me—it's not like I'd refuse to buy you some."
Moses scratched his head awkwardly. "Well... it's not for me."
"Then who's it for?" Kureha's lips curled slightly, as if anticipating something. "Surely not for that good-for-nothing Grandpa Garp of yours?"
Moses tilted his head and muttered, "I mean, it could be... but the Lapahn fur's a bit small. Maybe I'll ask the tailor to turn the coat into a short jacket."
Kureha replied flatly, "You might as well hunt a full-grown one. That old bastard's built like a bear."
Moses stroked his chin, appearing deep in thought, then looked up at her.
"So... tomorrow?"
Kureha's face darkened. "Sure. I'll collect your corpse afterward. If I'm quick, I might even drag you out before you turn into dung."
Moses grimaced. "On second thought, never mind. I still have to take care of you in your old age—dying before you would be way too disrespectful."
"You little brat! Who are you cursing?" Kureha's face flushed red with anger. "I ought to hang you up and beat you senseless. Break your legs while I'm at it!"
Moses: "..."
Forced to relent, Moses sighed and lightly smacked his forehead as if struck by sudden realization.
"Actually, never mind that. I forgot to mention—the Lapahn coat was tailored to your measurements. Guess it wouldn't fit anyone else anyway."
Kureha narrowed her eyes, now certain the little rascal had been toying with her all along. Her tone was 70% irritation, 30% restraint.
"Where'd you learn all these tricks? I sure as hell didn't teach you this.
Was it that bastard Garp?"
Grumbling, she added, "Who eats roasted meat this late at night? Save it for tomorrow. Stuffing yourself like this—you wanna turn into a pig?"
"Oh..." Moses slumped dejectedly, crouching down to look at Bear Cub with a faint smirk. "Your Mama Dory says you're too fat. Guess you'll have to eat dirt tonight—mix it with some snow outside to tide you over."
Bear Cub had been lying quietly on the floor, trying to stay unnoticed. But at Moses' words, its obsidian-black eyes widened in disbelief.
"Yip?"
Its stomach growled loudly in protest, and it shot Kureha a pitiful look before crawling to her feet, rubbing its face against her anxiously while whining in distress.
Putting on the biggest act of misery!
Kureha had no time to deal with him. At the moment, she was glaring darkly at Moses with drooping eyelids, her smile not reaching her eyes as she said:
"What did you just call me? Bear Cub's mama? You dare imply I'm not human?"
Moses hastily shook his head. "You raised Bear Cub through thick and thin—in his heart, you are his mama. I wasn't speaking out of turn."
Hearing this, Kureha shot Moses a fierce glare, one hand on her hip while the other pointed a spatula at his nose. "You little brat still have the nerve to say that? Remember what you promised back then? Yet all the troublesome child-rearing fell on me."
Moses looked at Bear Cub with helpless eyes:
"Your mama's rejecting you. Maybe you should beg her again."
Bear Cub let out a pitiful "whimper," standing upright on his hind legs as he wrapped his front paws around Kureha's leg, gazing up at her pleadingly.
Slapping a hand to her forehead, Kureha sighed in resignation. Just what kind of creature was this Panda? He was way too clingy.
Who on earth taught him this?
With another sigh, Kureha shook her leg, sending Bear Cub tumbling away, then walked over to the Lapahns meat and carried it into the kitchen.
"Fine, you win. Always causing me trouble. Moses, you'll start learning to cook with me soon. You're not a child anymore—time you learned to fend for yourself."
The sound of furious chopping echoed from the kitchen, as though she were venting her frustration. Moses turned to Bear Cub with a tempting offer:
"Want to learn cooking? You eat so much, and you can already make your own pots and pans. If you learn, you can cook for yourself anytime, anywhere—no more depending on your mama's mood."
Bear Cub seemed to consider it, but the next second, a chilling voice drifted from the kitchen:
"Are you trying to get your legs broken? If you're bored, go read a book or wash up. I don't want to hear your voice right now—shut it."
Moses gave a dry chuckle and hurried to the bathroom. Soon, the sound of running water filled the air.
After washing up, he sat at the desk with a surgical casebook, engrossed in the details of anatomical procedures. He was thoroughly absorbed in the text and illustrations when, as the aroma of food grew stronger, Kureha's voice rang out:
"Get over here and eat."
Her tone was icy, clearly still upset. Moses obediently went to help carry the dishes from the kitchen.
The Lapahns had been turned into a steaming pot of fragrant meat with large bones, accompanied by a light medicinal porridge and a tray of meat buns.
Though simple, the meal was packed with nutrients.
Moses ate with gusto, grease dripping from his lips, while Bear Cub mirrored him—his front paws transforming into metal chopsticks and a fork, his mouth wide open as he devoured his food with wild abandon.
Kureha ate at a leisurely pace, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Slow down. There's more in the kitchen if you want seconds."
After the meal,
Kureha headed upstairs alone. Once Moses and Bear Cub finished eating, he brought the Panda to the kitchen, where Bear Cub's paws morphed into rubber gloves. Under Moses' guidance, they washed the dishes together.
Good habits start young—a Munch-Munch Fruit user wouldn't starve, but to prevent Bear Cub from growing lazy later, Moses made sure to teach him everything he could.
Luckily, the bear was smart!
With everything tidied up,
Moses read a bit more before finally deciding it was time for bed.
...
The Drum Kingdom was renowned worldwide as a medical superpower, with people from all over frequently coming to seek treatment.
Those who set sail to "make their mark" often came here seeking doctors to "join their crew," but a certain man who frequently appeared in these waters also caused quite a headache for some.
However, this didn't affect Moses' daily routine. He followed a structured schedule—studying, hunting, exercising with dietary supplements, or accompanying Kureha to towns and villages to treat patients.
Along the way, they earned some daily necessities.
Every day was fulfilling, as Moses absorbed knowledge and skills from Kureha like a sponge.
Kureha, too, was happy with this arrangement. When they first met, she might have seen the infant Moses as nothing more than an interesting "test subject." But over time, everything changed.
They became like family, mentor and student, and closest friends.
They were also fellow travelers with the same goal.
In the blink of an eye,
it was September of the year 1503 in the Sea Calendar. The winter on Drum Island made it impossible to detect any seasonal changes.
At three years and nine months old, Moses stood at 1.19 meters tall and weighed 25 kilograms. Under Kureha's care, he had grown fair-skinned and plump, resembling a delicate little chubby boy.
His black, slightly wavy medium-length hair framed a pair of clear, extraordinary black eyes—mysterious, lively, and with a hint of mischief. His slightly rounded face was soft and fair, his exposed skin smooth and moist, and he carried an air of fragile tranquility.
As the saying goes, the environment shapes the people.
Most inhabitants of this island had fair complexions.
But Moses' fairness and the aura around him, in his own words, were due to: "Grade A Blessing [Breathing]—who knew it could subtly and comprehensively adjust my entire being? Not only that, but it also has some mystical interaction with the natural environment."
Breathing, after all, is a vital medium through which living beings interact with nature.
Through profound breathing techniques and prolonged interaction with the environment—from the outside in—combined with the perceptive insight of Observation Haki, Moses faintly sensed an indescribable instinct, as if he were on the verge of some kind of "transformation."
Lately, this inexplicable feeling had been surfacing more and more often.
Not one to keep doubts to himself, Moses asked Kureha if she had any advice. Her response was simple:
"How the hell should I know? My breathing isn't as deep as yours. Just go with your gut."
So, Moses carried on as usual—eating, drinking, and sleeping. Though Kureha hadn't given any useful advice, the old fox was wise in her own way.
Heeding her words, he trusted his instincts.
Today was a clear day.
For once, no snow drifted from the sky, and even the clouds had mostly dissipated, leaving the blue expanse strikingly transparent.
The view of the sky swayed gently as Moses lay sprawled on Bear Cub's back. The bear ambled leisurely through the deep forest, its paws crunching the snow beneath with each step.
At just over two years old, Bear Cub measured a full 1.5 meters in length and stood at least 1.9 meters tall when upright, weighing a hefty 80 kilograms—utterly round and plump.
Eating was a blessing, and Bear Cub was practically a bottomless pit.
It could devour several times Moses' own weight in food in a single meal. If not for the Munch-Munch Fruit's ability to consume anything, Moses might not have been able to afford keeping him.
Well, technically, he usually didn't have to provide for him anyway.
Resting his head on Bear Cub's shoulder as the bear carried him forward, Moses found the soft, furry warmth incredibly comforting.
It is often said that one takes on the color of their company, and intelligent creatures are always adept at imitation. Here, the perception of Observation Haki enveloped Bear Cub.
Moses breathed quietly, with an indescribable, unique rhythm—natural and effortless—and in Bear Cub's breathing, he "tasted" a cadence similar to his own.
Over the course of more than a year, the already clever Bear Cub, through the relentless efforts of Moses and Kureha, had learned that special breathing method.
Though only mastering the basics—far from Moses' level—it still granted Bear Cub significantly better control over its own body.
Improved bodily control naturally manifested in every aspect.
East of their treehouse, past the dense forest, lay the nearest of Drum Mountain's peaks.
Gazing up at the towering gray-brown mountain, like a pillar holding up the heavens, it stood a full five thousand meters high, piercing the clouds.
The cylindrical surface of the mountain was etched with fine crevices, like veins—perfect footholds for rock-climbing enthusiasts.
However.
For Bear Cub, a user of the Munch-Munch Fruit, devouring the entire Drum Mountain might take decades, even centuries. But carving out a climbing path? That wouldn't take long at all.
A winding, zigzagging "Z"-shaped trail appeared along the cliff face.
Bear Cub led the way, starting from the base of the mountain. One side of Drum Mountain had been gnawed into a narrow path leading straight to the summit.
The path was rough and uneven, full of gaps here and there—the result of Bear Cub's five-month chewing spree under Moses' direction.
At the halfway point, fierce winds howled. The trail had no guardrails, and its width was just enough for Bear Cub to stand steady, its claws digging firmly into the ground.
The wind roared like a wailing cry as Moses followed closely behind Bear Cub. Two hours later, the ten-thousand-meter climb was complete.
Moses and Bear Cub emerged from an internal passage leading to the summit, lifting a stone slab covering the exit, and finally reached the peak.
Here, the wind was absent. A pine forest stretched before them, untouched by human presence, the flat ground blanketed in thick snow.
On this winter island, only the royal family of this country had built their castle atop the central peak of Drum Mountain.
The remaining peaks stood unused, vast and desolate.
Standing at the edge of the summit, they could see the entire island spread out below. Apart from the other identical peaks, everything seemed to bow beneath their feet.
At five thousand meters, the air was thin, the clouds seemingly underfoot. The vast view stirred a surge of pride in their hearts.
To stand atop the highest peak and look down upon all below!
The feeling demanded release.
Drawing a deep breath, Moses' chest swelled as a youthful shout burst from his lips, channeling all his strength—as if roaring out that swelling pride.
"Ah—HA!!!"
"Yip?"
Drawn by Moses' outburst, Bear Cub sidled up beside him. Though not its first time here, its legs still trembled slightly as it took in the view below. Glancing at Moses, it mimicked his roar.
"Awooo!!!"
With a roar that released all the pent-up vigor in his heart, Moses took a deep breath, feeling a gentle warmth spreading throughout his body. A subtle clarity emerged from within, permeating his entire being.
His eyes sparkled with newfound brightness.
Sensing this miraculous clarity, Moses followed his emotions—breathing! Shouting! Pouring all his strength into unrestrained cries. Gradually, an inner tranquility arose.
After a long while, Moses ceased his shouts, savoring the unique sensation that had newly surfaced within him.
With each rise and fall of his breath, his body became transparent and unobstructed, as if forming a deeper connection with the natural world around him—an intimacy that resonated emotionally.
Uncertain about this physical transformation, Moses cheerfully opened the system interface.
Bestowed Ability Section.
[A+ Rank Blessing: Breathing] (Capable of autonomous growth)
[Blessing Effect: Qi Circulation Throughout the Body, Unity of Heaven and Man. Greatly enhances the application of one's physical body and deepens comprehension of all natural phenomena. Grants permanent, significant acceleration in the growth of "Physique" and "Soul" attributes up to A+ rank.]
[Blessing Evaluation: Is this just a breathing technique? No—it is the foundation of a cultivation method. At this moment, you have taken the most crucial step.]
It had changed. The effects of [Breathing] had undergone a noticeable transformation, advancing beyond the A-rank threshold. Moses understood clearly:
"A-rank Bestowed Abilities inherently possess deeper applications. Though I achieved it in one step before, some finer details were missing.
After over a year of adaptation and training, coupled with today's emotional revelation, the true potential of 'it' has finally been unveiled.
And from this pinnacle, I've climbed even higher."
Unity of Heaven and Man?
A realm of enlightenment—of mind and spirit.
And more than that, a foundation for stepping into the extraordinary.
A satisfied smile curled at Moses' lips.
And it didn't end there.
---------
Below is a brief overview of the realm and sensations of Unity of Heaven and Man:
The Realm of Unity of Heaven and Man:
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Emotional Intimacy:
A sense of closeness to all natural phenomena, forming an emotional bond with them.
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Conscious Fusion:
The images, states, and latent or manifest information of nature internalized within one's consciousness.
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Body-Mind Unity:
Harmony between the self and external objects or others, achieving coordination in action and unity in being.
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Transcendence of Self:
Surpassing individual desires and limitations, connecting with the mysteries of the cosmos and aligning with its rhythms.
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Inner Serenity:
Attaining Unity of Heaven and Man brings profound inner peace and true freedom.
Sensations of Unity of Heaven and Man:
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Oneness with Heaven and Earth:
Feeling merged with the atmosphere of the universe, the body becoming transparent and unobstructed, as if serving as a conduit between sky and land.
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Forgetting Self and Objects:
Reaching a state where self and surroundings are forgotten—actions become effortless, thoughts all-encompassing.
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Awakening of Cosmic Consciousness:
Transcending individuality to perceive the power and wisdom of the cosmos.
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Understanding Life's Meaning:
Profound realizations about the purpose of existence and the deeper significance of Unity of Heaven and Man.
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Harmony with Natural Laws:
Aligning with the laws of nature, embodying the state where humanity and the universe coexist in balance