Chapter 13: The Hunt Begins

The monstrous wolf-like beasts circled me, their glowing red eyes burning in the darkness of the cursed island. Their low growls rumbled through the air like distant thunder, a warning that I was trespassing on their domain.

But I didn't care.

If they were standing between me and my sword, then I would tear them down.

I exhaled, steadying my breathing. This wasn't like the battles I had fought before. The creatures here were larger, stronger, and unlike anything I had faced on my training island.

But I wasn't the same weak boy who had washed up on that shore two years ago.

I was stronger.

Faster.

A warrior forged in solitude.

And tonight, I would prove it.

The First Strike

One of the beasts lunged first.

It moved faster than I expected, a black blur cutting through the mist. Its massive claws slashed at me, the air whistling with deadly force.

I dodged—barely.

A searing pain ripped across my chest as the beast's claws grazed me, tearing through my shirt. Blood dripped down my skin, but I ignored it.

Focus.

I pivoted, slamming my foot into the ground to counterattack.

My fist lashed out, coated in Armament Haki, aiming for the beast's ribs.

BOOM!

The impact sent a shockwave through the air, but the wolf tanked it, only skidding back a few feet. Its glowing red eyes burned with rage.

Before I could press forward, the second beast attacked from my left.

I barely twisted in time as its massive jaws snapped at my arm.

Tch. These things are fast.

With no other choice, I activated Conqueror's Haki.

A wave of pressure exploded from my body, the ground beneath me cracking as I unleashed my will.

One of the wolves froze, shuddering under the weight of my presence.

But the others—they didn't fall.

Instead, they howled, their bodies crackling with some strange energy.

They're resisting my Haki…?

I gritted my teeth. This wasn't going to be easy.

Adapting to the Battle

I needed a new strategy.

I couldn't just overpower these creatures—they were too durable.

That meant one thing.

Speed.

I shifted my stance, focusing everything into efficiency and precision. No wasted movements. No reckless strikes.

The next time one attacked, I was ready.

The largest wolf lunged, its massive claws aiming for my throat.

I ducked.

The moment it passed over me, I drove my elbow into its underbelly, coating my strike with Advanced Armament Haki.

CRACK!

The beast yelped, crashing into the ground, but I didn't let it recover. I spun and slammed my heel down onto its skull with a brutal axe kick.

BOOM!

The force sent a crater into the earth. The first beast collapsed.

But there were still two left.

They weren't waiting anymore.

Both attacked at the same time.

I dodged left, twisting my body, but one of them caught my shoulder, its fangs sinking deep.

Pain flared through me, but I didn't let it slow me down.

Instead of pulling away, I pushed forward, driving my knee into its ribs, forcing its jaws to release me.

Then, I spun midair, coating my entire arm in Haki, and punched the second beast square in the jaw.

The force sent it soaring into the trees, crashing through the trunks like a falling meteor.

I landed on the ground, blood dripping from my arm.

One left.

The Final Showdown

The last wolf—the largest of them all—stood firm.

Its crimson eyes burned brighter than before, and I could feel its killing intent rise.

I wiped the blood from my mouth, rolling my shoulders.

Let's finish this.

The beast howled, then lunged forward with all its might.

This time, I didn't dodge.

I met it head-on.

At the last second, I pivoted, dodging its fangs by inches.

Then, I pulled my fist back, funneling every ounce of my strength into a final blow.

Conqueror's Haki exploded from me.

My fist crashed into the beast's head.

The air split apart.

The trees bent backward from the force.

The wolf didn't even have time to cry out before its body was launched across the battlefield, crashing into the ruins.

Silence.

Then—

The beast stopped moving.

I exhaled, rolling my shoulders.

My body ached, my wounds stung, but—I had won.

I stood among the fallen monsters, victorious.

The Path Forward

I didn't linger.

The fight was over, but my real trial was just beginning.

I could feel something deeper within the island—something calling to me.