Chapter 211: Volume 2 – Chapter 113: Stolen Love?

A nameless, uncharted island.

Towering trees and rugged stone formations encircled the beach under the dazzling sun.

A stunning figure was running desperately along the shore, panting heavily. Her long legs, wrapped in short boots, pounded the ground with frantic urgency.

Waist-length light green hair swayed behind her as she ran, and the pink kimono she wore fluttered with each step.

"Hahahaha! Don't run, sweetheart! You're a real beauty—premium quality!"

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Hahahaha!"

"Why are you running, gorgeous?"

The pirates chasing her wore wicked grins, their eyes practically heart-shaped as they drooled over their prey.

"We kept our promise, didn't we? We brought you to Wano Country."

They laughed as they cornered her at the water's edge, the waves lapping behind her, cutting off any escape.

"Come on now, we don't want to hurt you."

The young woman stared out at the endless sea before her. Her peach-colored lips trembled as her teeth bit down gently, despair flickering in her eyes. Slowly, she turned to face them.

"I knew it..."

Her gaze shifted to the ship in the distance as she snapped,

"That's a slave ship. You're traffickers."

"If you hurt me, I won't fetch a high price."

At her words, the pirates' grins twisted into something darker.

The woman clenched her jaw and said coldly,

"I actually believed you bastards... I really was too naive."

In a sudden motion, she drew the katana at her waist. Her slender, pale hands gripped the hilt tightly, the blade's point aimed straight at the gang.

As she moved, the hem of her kimono flared around her legs. Paired with the fire in her eyes, it gave her a striking, fierce beauty that stole the breath.

The blonde pirate in front sneered.

"Resisting won't help. Behind you is the ocean—there's nowhere left to run. Just give up."

He unsheathed his weapon, advancing with the others step by step, their cruel laughter rising.

"Give it up. We'll treat you real nice."

A shadow fell over the young woman's face. She let out a long, quiet sigh.

"This is the end. I guess... I'll have to keep jumping forward in time."

Her voice trembled with sorrow, resignation, and regret.

A strange, unsettling glow began to rise from her body, eerie and almost otherworldly.

"What the hell is that?"

"What's going on!?"

"She's activating some kind of power!"

The pirates' eyes widened in panic, their faces shifting from lust to fear.

Something intangible, mystical, began swirling around her—an unseen force that made her light green hair float, untouched by wind.

"Stop her!"

"Don't let her get away!"

"Get her!"

The blonde man's face hardened. With a vicious snarl, he gave the order.

In unison, the pirates raised their weapons and lunged forward—

But then—

Whirrrrr...

A shrill, piercing whistle suddenly sliced through the air from above, and a violent gust of wind froze everyone in place, even the woman.

It was the sound of something razor-sharp tearing through the sky.

A moment later—

Shnk! Shnk! Shnk!

Countless metal spikes rained down like a storm, piercing into the earth at impossible speed.

The pirates never even had time to scream. The spears tore through them like paper, pinning their bodies to the ground in a gruesome mess of blood and metal.

The acrid scent of blood instantly filled the air.

The woman stared in shock at the twisted bodies, their empty, glassy eyes staring into nothing. She covered her mouth in horror and instinctively stepped back.

But as she moved—

She bumped into a broad, solid chest.

…

"Ah—sorry!"

The woman instinctively turned around and bowed in apology.

But as she looked up, a strikingly handsome face with a wild, unrestrained aura filled her view.

A tall, dark-haired young man stood under the sunlight, his white shirt crisp and clean, with the shimmering blue sea glistening behind him. He smiled at her, warm and charming.

"Sorry—did I scare you?"

What a stunning man...

Amatsuki Toki's heart skipped a beat, her cheeks flushing pink.

Did I just... fall into his chest?

"I-I... No, no, not at all."

She lowered her head, unable to meet Daren's eyes, her voice soft and flustered.

So... he's the one who saved me!

Daren gave a casual smile.

"As long as you're alright."

"N-not at all..."

Toki drew in a deep breath, calming her racing heart. She then bowed deeply, her posture elegant and composed.

"Thank you for saving me. I'm deeply grateful for your help."

"My name is Amatsuki Toki. May I know yours?"

So it really is her...

Amatsuki Toki.

One of the most mysterious and unique Devil Fruit users in the entire sea.

Bearer of the Toki Toki no Mi—the Time-Time Fruit. A woman who came from 800 years in the past.

But beyond that, this gentle beauty standing before him held an even more iconic role in the original storyline:

—Wife of Kozuki Oden.

—Mother of Kozuki Momonosuke.

Her long light green hair swayed gently in the breeze, with a red-and-yellow ornament nestled on the right side.

She wore a pink kimono adorned with delicate crescent-moon patterns, accentuating her graceful figure.

Her long legs, pale as snow, were clad in a pair of yellow short boots.

Daren had to admit—since arriving in this world, Toki was by far the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen.

It made perfect sense that she was the mother of Wano's most stunning courtesan, Kozuki Hiyori.

After all, no one could believe that kind of beauty came from Kozuki Oden's side.

Staring at Toki's breathtaking face, a flicker of something unreadable passed through Daren's eyes. A thousand thoughts spun through his mind in an instant.

He'd never pretended to be a saint. He loved beautiful women. Who didn't?

He wasn't a gentleman, and he accepted the nickname "scoundrel" without shame.

After all, what man wouldn't fantasize about women like Nami, Robin, Shirahoshi, Rebecca, Hancock, Kalifa, Vivi... after arriving in this world?

And more importantly, the Toki Toki no Mi had an incredibly rare and powerful ability—well worth pursuing.

Of course, he wasn't the type to force or deceive. He had at least that much decency.

With that in mind, he gave Toki a soft, friendly smile.

"Nice to meet you. I'm Rogers Daren, a Commodore in the Marine Headquarters. I was patrolling nearby islands when I discovered a human trafficking operation here—so I came to investigate."

"Marines...?"

Toki murmured, her expression tightening slightly.

After what had just happened, her guard was understandably high.

Coming from 800 years in the past and having traveled through time, she'd picked up pieces of information about the Marines, even if they didn't exist in her own era.

They were said to protect justice and maintain peace and order across the world.

They... should be trustworthy.

Besides, how could someone this handsome be a bad guy?

He did just save her, after all!

She clenched her fists quietly, scolding herself for her doubt. Her wariness began to fade.

"Yes. And where's your home? This island is completely deserted—leaving won't be easy."

Daren said calmly,

"But if you trust me, I can take you from here and bring you back to your homeland."

Toki's eyes lit up.

"Really? I want to go to Wano Country! Can you take me to Wano?"

"Wano, huh? That country is locked down. It's not exactly easy to get in—"

Before Daren could finish, the sea suddenly erupted—

A towering column of water burst upward with a thunderous roar.

Toki gasped in alarm, but before she could move, Daren stepped forward and shielded her behind him.

"Don't worry. I'll protect you."

Daren narrowed his eyes.

The next moment—

A massive figure burst from the sea.

Drenched, clad in a kimono embroidered with crescent patterns, a giant purple-and-white shimenawa wrapped around his body, water splashing all around him.

He had long, wild black hair gathered into a topknot, thick brows, sharp slanted eyes, a widow's peak, and pointed sideburns.

Only... his entire body was bloated. His face swollen like a pig's, hideous and distorted—he looked more monster than man.

"I heard a woman calling for help!"

His sharp gaze swept the beach. The moment he spotted the corpses littering the sand, he locked eyes with the panicked Toki—

Then his expression twisted with fury as he stared at Daren.

"You're the one tormenting this beautiful lady!"

So he's here...

The second the man came out of the water, Daren recognized him.

The corner of his mouth curled into a mocking smirk.

Kozuki... Oden.