WebNovels

Chapter 6 - [6]: The Door-Door Fruit

In the East Blue 

After a full day of flight, Kane finally spotted a small island below. Deciding it was time to rest, he slowly descended from the clouds and landed among the thick, green canopy. The air was humid, filled with the scent of wild grass and salt from the sea breeze.

He looked around, scanning the dense jungle that stretched out before him. "Not bad," he murmured to himself. "Plenty of vegetation. There must be animals here… might as well find something to eat first."

It didn't take long for Kane to locate a worthy meal. Following a trail of broken branches and heavy footprints, he soon came across a massive tiger its striped fur rippling with muscle as it prowled through the underbrush. A quick burst of chakra-enhanced speed and a flash of steel later, the predator lay still.

Dragging the carcass to a nearby clearing, Kane gathered dry wood, formed a few hand seals, and muttered, "Fire Release Fireball Jutsu." A surge of heat burst forth, igniting the logs instantly. As the flames crackled, he carved a large portion of meat and began roasting it over the fire.

He watched the fat sizzle, the aroma filling the air, and couldn't help but mutter with a smirk, "The creatures in this world really are something else. Everything's huge. No wonder people here are built like tanks."

When his meal was done, Kane ate heartily, the smoky flavor of grilled tiger meat reminding him just how wild this sea was. He stretched out lazily, planning to rest for a bit when a sudden, distant boom shattered the calm.

A cannon.

Kane's eyes narrowed as he turned toward the direction of the sound. "Huh? Visitors? Pirates, maybe?"

A faint grin played at his lips. "If they're strong enough, this could work in my favor. The Marines love a good trophy when you're applying for enlistment."

He tossed aside the remaining bone, rose into the air, and propelled himself forward using repulsive force, slicing through the sky toward the noise.

Across the island's other shore 

A massive pirate ship was docked, its black sails emblazoned with a skull and a pair of doors crossed beneath it. The crew was in high spirits, laughing raucously as they carved up the corpse of a slain beast.

"Hahaha! Pathetic! Compared to the Grand Line, these island beasts are weak as kittens!" one pirate roared.

"Right? The Marines barely keep a presence here anymore. With their focus on the Grand Line, our Brand Pirates are untouchable in the East Blue!"

At the bow of the ship stood their captain, Brand a man whose arrogance was only rivaled by his self-importance. The crew's name came from his own, a testament to his ego. He was a Devil Fruit user, wielding the power of the Door-Door Fruit, a Paramecia-type ability that allowed him to create doors on any surface even air.

Once, Brand had dreamed of conquering the Grand Line. He had eaten his fruit, assembled a crew, and set sail, drunk on ambition. But dreams met reality quickly. The Grand Line was merciless. For every pirate with power, there were ten stronger waiting to crush him.

Brand and his men barely survived their first real naval clash. Only by using his Door-Door powers to escape did he avoid annihilation. Now, humbled yet unwilling to admit defeat, he had retreated to the East Blue bragging to anyone who'd listen about his "journey across the Grand Line."

In truth, he was just another big fish in a very small pond.

Brand adjusted his coat and grinned down at his men. "Alright, boys! Drag that beast to the clearing! Tonight, we feast! And tomorrow, we'll visit the nearest village. I'm sure the locals will welcome us with open arms!"

His men cheered, their laughter echoing through the trees as they hoisted the carcass and trudged inland.

But before they could take another step, a calm, disdainful voice cut through the noise.

"How pathetic. A pack of washed-up failures. I just hope your captain's bounty isn't too low."

The pirates froze. Then, chaos.

"Who said that?!"

"Show yourself, coward!"

"I'll gut you alive!"

They shouted and spun in circles, eyes darting everywhere.

Then one of them, sharper than the rest, pointed upward. "He's in the sky!"

Every head turned. There, high above them, a young man floated effortlessly, arms crossed, his coat fluttering in the wind Kane Uchiha.

Brand's expression hardened. "A flyer… damn it. Another Devil Fruit user. Those are always troublesome."

He squinted, calling up to him. "Who are you? A bounty hunter?"

Kane tilted his head slightly and smiled. "Bounty hunter? No. You're mistaken. I just need your heads as proof when I apply to the Marines."

The pirates erupted in angry shouts. One particularly loud-mouthed lackey stepped forward, waving his cutlass. "You little brat! You think flying makes you invincible? Come down here and play with us, huh?"

Kane exhaled softly, his patience thinning. "Noisy."

He raised one hand and aimed lazily at the loudest pirate. "You first. Come up and 'play.'"

"Universal Pull."

A low hum filled the air. The pirate's scream was cut short as his body was yanked upward, flailing helplessly, drawn toward Kane by an invisible force. Within seconds, he was suspended midair beside him, face pale with terror.

Kane turned his head slightly, his crimson eyes cold and unamused. "Now that I'm right in front of you, what did you want to say?"

The man trembled, his mouth opening and closing soundlessly.

Kane sighed. "Forget it. You're too ugly to talk to."

He released the pull.

The pirate's body dropped like a stone.

A heartbeat later, there was a wet, sickening crack as he hit the ground followed by silence.

The other pirates stared in horror, some stepping back, others gripping their weapons so tightly their knuckles whitened.

Up above, Kane hovered motionless, his gaze sweeping over them. "One down," he said coolly. "Who's next?"

The words were calm but they struck like thunder.

Even Brand, who had once survived the Grand Line, felt a chill run through him. That quiet confidence, that sheer, oppressive power… it was like staring into the eyes of a predator that saw everything beneath it as prey.

And for the first time since returning from the Grand Line, Captain Brand realized he might not live long enough to regret coming back.

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