Chapter 13: Kuina's Promise (Part 1)
"East Blue Branch 16 has been attacked. The attackers are three individuals: Captain Darren Eric , Akame, and Chiron. The branch commander was absent due to patrolling the seas. Acting commander, Captain Nezumi, died heroically in action. All other Marines were found injured and unconscious. These three possess strength far beyond East Blue's average—recommend issuing high bounties!" A reporting Marine relayed the information via Den Den Mushi to Marine Headquarters.
"Roger… Roger." The Marine hung up and sent over photos taken by a mysterious observer. A new round of wanted posters was printed and delivered with the latest newspapers—not worldwide, but distributed across East Blue and the first half of the Grand Line, also known as Paradise.
...
Eric spent 50 Berries to buy the latest newspaper from a News Coo. The headline read: "Brutal Pirates Attack Marine Base!" and "Captain Nezumi Dies Heroically!"
"Bullshit! That bastard was about to piss himself! Calling that heroic?!" Eric muttered to himself, flipping through the paper.
Several wanted posters slipped out from between the pages. As expected, they were his and his companions'—he'd already been informed by the system yesterday, so he wasn't surprised.
Darren Eric — Bounty: 25,000,000 Berries
"Hunter" Akame — Bounty: 11,000,000 Berries
"Martial Arts Master" Chiron (who had fought barehanded at the time) — Bounty: 8,000,000 Berries
"Akame, Chiron—we've been posted," Eric said as he waved the wanted posters and handed them the newspaper.
Akame frowned as she read the article. "It's all wrong! They were the ones at fault."
"Well, it's the World Government. Can't let their own reputation be tarnished, so they pinned it all on us," Chiron calmly analyzed.
"No use worrying. Once we've healed Kuina, let's lay low and head to the Grand Line," Eric proposed.
Chiron, ever knowledgeable, suggested, "But before entering the Grand Line, we should reinforce the ship."
"How long will that take?"
"One day. It's just a small single-mast vessel," Chiron said confidently.
"Alright, once we get back to Shimotsuki Village, we'll handle that. Master Chiron, please continue teaching Akame and me how to use Armament and Observation Haki."
Their Haki training had begun the day before. While Chiron couldn't use his full strength due to stat limits, his wisdom and teaching ability remained intact. He began instructing them: "Haki is a latent power within all humans. It's composed of presence, spirit, and intimidation—something everyone is born with, but most never awaken. There are two main types: Observation Haki heightens your ability to sense others' presence. When trained, it allows you to perceive enemies outside your field of vision, their numbers, and even their next move. Then there's Armament Haki—it's like an invisible armor. When hardened enough, it can be used offensively. It also allows one to touch and strike Logia users' intangible bodies."
Chiron then demonstrated, covering his fist in invisible Haki. Eric and Akame could feel the force, even if they couldn't see it.
'So that's why Zephyr's arms looked black—his Haki was strong enough to be visible?' Eric wondered.
He and Akame extended their hands, trying to sense the energy. Akame then closed her eyes, cupped her left hand beneath her right, and focused inward. Slowly, she began channeling her dormant power—spreading the Haki to her right hand…
Eric glanced at her status panel:
[Armament Haki: 0.5 Stars]
'Already?!' Eric stared in disbelief.
"Akame has exceptional talent—she's on par with some of my former students," Chiron praised. Then, seeing Eric squatting and scribbling circles in frustration, he added, "Don't worry, Eric . I have a strong feeling you'll surpass even me one day."
"Don't worry about me, Master Chiron. I'll train harder—I won't give up!"
...
The next day, they arrived at Shimotsuki Village. To avoid causing a stir, they docked in a secluded harbor. Akame stayed to guard the ship while Eric and Chiron went ashore.
"Master Koushirou! I've brought the doctor who can save Kuina!" Eric announced upon entering the dojo. "He'll definitely heal her!"
"Is that so? Thank you, Eric -kun," Koushirou replied, eyes still squinting as usual—but Eric thought they opened just a little, perhaps out of joy. "And this is?" he asked, noticing the unfamiliar man beside Eric .
"This is Chiron. He's skilled in medicine—and one of my new companions. He also made the remedy." Eric had already prepared this cover story with Chiron and Akame.
"Thank you. I truly appreciate your help," Koushirou said with a bow.
"No trouble at all. Please take us to your daughter," Chiron replied politely.
In Kuina's room, she lay in the same position as always, like a sleeping beauty. Only her slightly thinner face showed signs of the long coma.
"May I ask you to leave us for a moment?" Chiron requested.
"Of course. Please take care of her." Koushirou understood—some doctors didn't want others seeing their methods. He left without protest.
Eric , who had purchased a Senzu Bean from the system shop, crushed it and mixed it into water for Kuina to drink. They waited over ten minutes before administering it—instantly healing her would've looked suspicious. Even though they trusted Koushirou, the dojo had many children, and a loose word could draw unwanted attention from other pirates.
"Mm…" Kuina stirred after drinking the water. She looked confused at first, then noticed Eric and Chiron standing nearby. "Who are you?" she asked Chiron.
"And why are you two in my room?" she added, addressing both.
"Master Koushirou! Kuina's awake!" Eric shouted, just to make sure he wasn't mistaken for some pervert sneaking into a sleeping girl's room.
Koushirou rushed in immediately, tears forming in the corners of his eyes. "Thank goodness, Kuina," he said, embracing his daughter, who had been unconscious for nearly two weeks.
"Father, what's going on?" she asked. Maybe the fall had erased the memory of how she got hurt.
"You fell from a ladder and were unconscious for twelve days. Eric went out to find a doctor to save you," Koushirou explained simply.
"Thank you for going so far," said Kuina, boyish as always. She dropped into a deep bow of gratitude toward Eric . Then she turned to Chiron and bowed again. "Thank you for saving my life." There was no girlish hesitation—just sincere thanks.
"No need to thank me. If Kuina were missing from the path to strength, I would've felt it a loss," Eric replied, waving it off. Then he turned to Koushirou. "Now that Kuina is safe, I can leave with peace of mind."
"Is this because of the bounty posters?" Koushirou asked. "It's fine—you're welcome to stay at the dojo." He'd seen the latest newspaper and suspected the incident with the East Blue branch was somehow connected to Eric 's attempt to help Kuina. Both morally and emotionally, he couldn't allow them to be driven away. If they were killed by the Marines at sea, he'd regret it forever.
"What bounty posters?" Kuina asked, still catching up.
"No worries, Master Koushirou. There's no changing what's already happened. If I stay here, I'll only bring trouble to the dojo. Don't worry—we're strong. We won't go down easily." Eric walked to the door and said his goodbyes. "Thank you for your guidance over the past month. We'll depart tomorrow. Until we meet again!"
(END CHAPTER)
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