One Piece: Power-Power Fruit

Chapter 17 A Promise to the Future

Chapter Seventeen: A Promise to the Future

Three days later, at dusk, in the village at the foot of the mountain

A faint smell of blood and burning wood still lingered in the air. Looking around, the entire village was dilapidated, a far cry from its former vibrant self.

"Meow……"

On a small hill not far from the village ruins, Mu Chong, his body and right arm wrapped in bandages, and the white cat sat side by side facing the village. Their shadows, cast by the setting sun, were long and thin.

Before Mu Chong lay bunches of freshly picked wildflowers. There were no elaborate ceremonies; he was simply mourning the villagers in the most simple and sincere way.

Mu Chong sat cross-legged, his face expressionless and his eyes pure and innocent.

Since Mu Chong woke up this morning, he and the white cat have been sitting here for almost a whole day. Xiao's fears about losing control of her emotions haven't materialized at all; Mu Chong has been sitting quietly facing the village.

The mountain breeze was warm, the sea breeze was gentle, and even the sun seemed to have hidden its heat.

"Phew... Aunt Nuo, it's good to leave this chaotic world. Once we're gone, we'll never have to go out in fear again, never have to worry about dangers that might appear at any time, never have to worry about going hungry again... Hehe, I'm sorry, Aunt Nuo, it's my fault for not taking good care of you, it's my fault for being late, I'm so sorry!!!"

Tick-tock, tick-tock...

Tears silently streamed down Mu Chong's face, dripping onto the wildflowers before him. The most devastating pain is often the silent one.

"Meow……"

Sensing Mu Chong's feelings, the white cat gently snuggled into his arms, lying close to his body. The white cat was comforting the person it wanted to comfort in its own way.

"White Cat, let's leave this island, and take Aunt Nora and the others with us to see the outside world!"

A smile appeared on Mu Chong's tear-streaked face. He gently extended his left hand in a lifting motion and softly said...

"Meow~"

The white cat couldn't understand what Mu Chong was saying, but it could sense that the other's mindset had changed, so it nodded frantically.

"Hehe... Let's go!"

Mu Chong smiled slightly, hugged the white cat in his arms, and then slowly stood up.

A gust of wind blew by, lifting the boy's clothes, ruffling his hair, and stirring the emotions within him.

Mu Chong gently bent down and bowed deeply to the village. Then, he reached out and carefully plucked a white wildflower from the ground, gently tucking it into the corner of his collar.

He glanced up at the village one last time, then decisively turned and left, his steps without the slightest hesitation or pause. He bid a proper farewell to the warmth of the past, quietly departing from the haven that had brought him peace.

The man and the cat walked further and further away, their long shadows stretching slowly towards the village in the afterglow of the setting sun.

……

As the sun was about to set, Mu Chong, carrying the white cat, trudged through the thick snow back to the mountain village. Ignoring the busy villagers in the courtyard, he went straight back into the house.

"Huh? Brother Mu is back!"

Sitting by the fireplace, Yi Xiao looked up at Mu Chong as he entered. When he saw the white mountain flower pendant on Mu Chong's chest, his eyes widened slightly, but he quickly understood its meaning and greeted him softly.

"Uncle Yixiao, I want to go out to sea and see the world..."

Mu Chong had just sat down, and before the white cat could even jump off him, it spoke its mind.

"Oh? Has Brother Mu already made a decision?"

Yi Xiao merely feigned slight curiosity, showing no surprise or unease whatsoever, as if she had already anticipated it with composure.

"Yes, Uncle Yixiao, I want to go out and see the world!"

Mu Chong poked at the flames in the stove, his cheeks flushed red in the firelight.

"Brother Mu, you don't have enough strength yet to live well in the outside world with this mountain flower. In the battle three days ago, you didn't even touch the opponent's high-end combat level. You are still far from enough..."

Yi Xiao looked at the silent boy with his head down, but instead of offering comforting words, she directly stated the crux of the matter, rejecting Mu Chong's idea.

"Really? How much more do I need?"

Upon hearing this, Mu Chong did not show any reluctance. Instead, he decisively asked the question that had been bothering him, looking at Yi Xiao with clear eyes.

"Haha, it seems I was worrying for nothing!"

Yi Xiao laughed loudly, looking at Mu Chong with satisfaction, and then said...

"Although you are only fifteen years old now, Brother Mu's mature mind will allow your strength to improve rapidly. Before this, I have laid a solid foundation for you. In the coming year, I will have you spend your time in constant battles to hone your combat awareness. How much you grow depends on yourself!"

"Thank you, Uncle Yixiao!"

Mu Chong solemnly expressed his gratitude to Yi Xiao. This uncle, who had once been both a mentor and a friend, now held an even more important place in Mu Chong's heart. Perhaps that bowl of noodles was the beginning of their destiny.

"Brother Mu, you don't need to thank me. This was my own choice!"

He paused slightly, a look of reminiscence on his face, and then slowly said...

"I met Brother Mu three years ago. Back then, you were just a beggar-like child. But during our time together, you gave me a lot of correct ideas. After that, I traveled all over the world and witnessed all sorts of injustices, which all proved to be true of Brother Mu's ideas. This has benefited me a lot!"

Yi Xiao looked at Mu Chong again with a smile. At this moment, Yi Xiao, who was usually serious and taciturn, became a chatterbox.

"I have my own selfish reasons for mentoring Brother Mu. Brother Mu's future achievements are boundless. I believe your name will eventually resound throughout the world. I hope that when I need help, Brother Mu will lend a hand!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Yi Xiao looked at Mu Chong calmly, like an old man looking at his child, hoping that his child would be successful and able to help the family in the future.

"Hahaha, Uncle Yixiao, why are you getting all sentimental now?! Hahaha!!"

Mu Chong suddenly burst into laughter, his movements exaggerated, even clutching his aching stomach as he laughed, completely oblivious to the tears streaming down his face.

Yi Xiao didn't say anything, just sat quietly watching Mu Chong laugh uncontrollably.

After a long while, Mu Chong stopped smiling, picked up the white cat from the side and placed it in his arms, then slowly opened his mouth and said...

"Uncle Yixiao, if this were two years ago, I would have agreed to it without hesitation. But now that I'm here, haha, things are uncertain. However, I can still promise you that I won't stand against you. But if something I don't like happens in front of me, I won't tolerate it!"

"Haha, okay, it's a deal then! Brother Mu!"

Yi Xiao said nothing, and readily extended his left hand, palm facing Mu Chong.

Snapped……

Mu Chong understood instantly, and immediately raised his left hand and slapped it down as a signal of the agreement.

"Hahaha……"

Winter nights are long, but that doesn't affect the warmth inside.

The world is cruel, so remember to cherish the present. No one can predict the future. Instead of waiting for it, live life to the fullest in the present. Then you can look back and proudly say, "I've never regretted anything."