CHAPTER 26 — A Whimper in the Woods
📅 8 May, S.C. 1510
👦 Ren — 7
👦 Luffy — 5
👦 Kiro — 7–8
📍 Dawn Island — Edge of Foosha Forest
---
Ren tightened the straps of the small basket on his back.
Today was important.
His new workshop needed more:
herbs for experiments
sticky clay from deeper in the forest
dry wood for the improved furnace idea
maybe new plants he hadn't catalogued yet
Also... he could feel something calling him toward the forest.
A strange intuition he couldn't explain.
Kiro slung a rope around his shoulder.
"You sure we need to go all the way inside?"
Ren nodded.
"The river mud near the village isn't good enough for advanced clay. The deeper riverbeds have better material."
Luffy marched ahead with a big stick.
"I WILL PROTECT YOU!!"
Kiro whispered, "From what? A squirrel?"
"SQUIRRELS ARE DANGEROUS!"
Ren exhaled, amused despite himself.
---
PART 1 — INTO THE FOREST
The forest canopy swallowed them as they walked.
Birds chirped.
Branches swayed gently.
The earth smelled damp and alive.
Ren knelt often, examining:
leaf texture
soil quality
insect trails
water flow direction
Kiro watched, arms crossed.
"Ren, sometimes I think you're older than Makino."
"I'm collecting data."
"On dirt."
"…Yes."
Luffy poked a mushroom.
"Can we eat this?"
Ren yanked him away.
"NO. Never eat unknown mushrooms."
Luffy blinked.
"Why?"
Ren stared at him.
"Because you will die."
Luffy gasped.
"OH."
Kiro patted his head.
"Just stay close to Ren."
The three moved deeper.
Ren began noticing subtle things:
the soil was darker
humidity higher
air cooler
leaves broader
He whispered:
"…This area is perfect for herb growth."
Kiro elbowed him.
"Told you this was a good trip."
But Ren wasn't listening anymore.
Something… felt wrong.
Or rather—
Something hurt.
A faint sound drifted through the trees.
A whimper.
Barely audible.
Soft.
Wounded.
Ren froze instantly.
"…Did you hear that?"
Kiro frowned.
"Hear what?"
Luffy leaned forward.
"Maybe it's a monster!!"
Ren shook his head.
"No… it sounds small."
Another soft cry came from the left.
Like pain muffled under leaves.
Ren's feet moved on their own.
"Come on."
---
PART 2 — THE DISCOVERY
The sound led them to a small clearing near a fallen tree.
Ren crouched, pushing aside the thick brush.
His breath caught.
There, curled into a trembling ball, was a small black shape.
A young creature.
Dog-like.
Wolf-like.
But too lean, too long-eared, too sharp-featured.
Its fur was dark, almost midnight blue.
Eyes squeezed shut in pain.
Leg bleeding badly.
Ren whispered,
"…You again."
Kiro's eyes widened.
"You've seen it before?"
Ren nodded slowly.
"A week ago. It was watching from the trees."
Luffy poked Ren.
"Is it dead?"
The creature flinched violently at the sound, trying to crawl away but collapsing instantly.
Ren's heart squeezed painfully.
"…He's scared."
Kiro knelt beside him.
"Looks like a young wolf. Maybe attacked by a boar?"
Ren examined the wound carefully.
Deep.
Jagged.
Fresh.
Blood still dripping slowly.
If left alone, the creature wouldn't make it through the night.
Ren felt something tighten inside him.
A quiet voice whispered in his mind:
If you walk away now, it dies.
He didn't like that thought.
Not at all.
---
PART 3 — APPROACHING WITH CARE
Ren slowly reached out a hand.
The creature bared its teeth weakly.
Not a threat—
A warning.
Ren whispered softly,
"…It's okay. I'm not here to hurt you."
The creature trembled, chest rising and falling rapidly.
Fear. Pain. Confusion.
Luffy crouched defensively, stick raised.
"I WILL FIGHT IT IF IT FIGHTS YOU!"
Kiro grabbed him.
"Stop. You'll scare it worse."
Ren stayed perfectly still.
He didn't know why, but he felt connected to this creature.
As if their paths were meant to cross.
He slowly placed a dry cloth on the ground and spoke gently:
"Let me help you. If I don't, you'll die."
The creature's ears twitched.
Ren inched closer.
Very slowly.
Very carefully.
Then—
It collapsed sideways.
Not out of trust.
But exhaustion.
That was enough.
Ren moved quickly, pressing the cloth on the wound to stop bleeding.
---
PART 4 — THE RESCUE
Luffy jumped.
"REN TOUCHED THE MONSTER!!"
Kiro slapped a hand over his mouth.
"Quiet!"
Ren lifted the small creature gently.
It was lighter than he expected.
Bones too visible.
Body trembling.
He whispered,
"We're taking him home."
Kiro hesitated.
"You sure? It might be dangerous."
Ren shook his head.
"No. He's hurt. He needs care."
Luffy raised his stick.
"I WILL PROTECT HIM!!"
"You are not hitting anything," Ren snapped.
Luffy lowered the stick.
"…Okay."
The walk back was slow.
Ren held the creature close, careful not to jostle the wound.
The creature opened its eyes faintly for a moment.
Dark amber.
Sharp.
Intelligent.
He met Ren's gaze.
Ren whispered,
"…You'll be okay."
For the first time, the creature didn't growl.
---
PART 5 — MAKINO'S REACTION
When they reached the bar, Makino rushed out.
"Oh my—Ren! What happened?!"
Ren held the creature carefully.
"He's injured. Deep cut. We need warm water, cloth, and one of the cooking knives."
Makino blinked.
"You want a knife for treatment?"
"To remove debris from the wound."
Makino stared at him.
Then smiled faintly.
"Alright. Come inside."
Kiro sighed.
"You spoil him too much."
Makino raised an eyebrow.
"He's trying to save a life."
Luffy pointed at the creature.
"WE FOUND A MONSTER!!"
Makino gently corrected him.
"No, Luffy. It's just a hurt little creature."
Ren placed the animal on a blanket.
His hands were steady.
Focused.
Determined.
Makino watched carefully.
She noticed something.
Ren wasn't panicking.
Wasn't hesitating.
His eyes moved quickly, analyzing, understanding, planning.
He's… different, she thought.
But instead of asking, she quietly handed him the warm water.
---
PART 6 — A NAME UNKOWN
Ren whispered while cleaning the wound,
"You're strong. You survived something that should've killed you."
The creature looked at him weakly.
Kiro crossed his arms.
"You're adopting it, aren't you?"
Ren hesitated.
Luffy gasped loudly.
"YES! NAME HIM MEAT!"
"No," Ren said instantly.
Makino giggled.
"You'll think of the right name later."
Ren nodded.
But in his mind…
the name was already forming.
A quiet name.
A proud one.
He whispered softly,
"…For now, just rest."
The creature's eyes closed gently.
It finally…
felt safe.
---
END OF CHAPTER 26