The World Beyond the Woods

Bram stared, astonished, at the empty space where the colossal Saber-Toothed Tiger had been. He thought to himself, A saber-toothed tiger just ran away mid-attack. I've only heard of this back in the day, stories of strong pirates able to do that and make humans faint. But what just happened was something indescribable. Bram couldn't quite make out what had occurred, but Renjiro, on the other hand, had a very different view.

What the hell? Does Bram have Conqueror's Haki? There's no way that's the case, right? I'm... well, I'm me, so scratch that idea. Maybe someone else is here besides us?

Renjiro vividly looked behind him, searching for any sign of other people. "Grandpa, why would a saber-toothed tiger retreat so suddenly? I felt so much fear until he just took off. What's there that he feared?"

"I don't know, Renjiro," Bram replied, his voice still tinged with bewilderment. "But one thing's for sure, there's something weird going on in this forest. Let's just be grateful that God spared our lives in such a moment."

He pulled Renjiro onto his lap as he sat back down, pulling the boy close. "Let's just reset for tomorrow, now sleep."

In that moment of overwhelming fear for his life, Renjiro had subconsciously used Conqueror's Haki, though he was entirely oblivious to its source. The intense terror had utterly consumed his awareness, making it impossible for him to realize the power had erupted from within him.

The night passed without further incident, though both Renjiro and Bram remained flabbergasted by last night's event. Renjiro woke with a mild headache, a backlash from his unconscious use of Haki. While not severe, it wasn't major.

"Ho ho ho! Another morning, another gift from God, right, Renjiro?" Bram said, laughing heartily whilst patting Renjiro's back.

This headache, damn it, Renjiro thought. I guess last night's trauma just woke up with me. Anyway, I'm going to have to inquire Bram if he was just acting last night to hide that he has Conqueror's Haki. I mean, he is a former Marine.

They both got their stuff ready, preparing for one last hunt before they left for town.

"Don't let last night's attack cloud your vision," Bram said, his voice firm. "We'll go on one last hunt before we head back. Prepare yourself; we're going for a big one right now."

Great for considering my feelings, Renjiro thought, a sarcastic edge to his mental voice. He wants me to hunt a prey bigger than a deer on my second day? I mean, a rabbit or anything like that would be expected, but he just leveled me up for no reason. They both continued on the trail.

The forest at this point was dense and cluttered, but a welcome sight after the open plains, offering cool shade and the earthy scent of damp soil. Sunlight dappled through the thick canopy, creating shifting patterns on the moss-covered ground. After a good while of trailing, their path led them to a towering oak, ancient and gnarled, its lowest branches wider than most tree trunks. Wooden ladders, weathered but sturdy, were nailed into its massive trunk, spiraling upwards into the leafy crown.

"Climb it," Bram said, his voice low and expectant.

Renjiro just accepted, though his mind immediately spun. Are we hunting monkeys? Why the hell are we going up a tree?

Renjiro climbed after Bram, his small hands gripping the rough-hewn rungs. The ascent was long, each rung a stretch for his little legs, but he pushed through, driven by curiosity. Once they both were settled on a broad, hidden platform nestled within the massive branches, Bram spoke to him.

"Look here, Renjiro," Bram said, his voice low with reverence as he pulled a surprisingly large bullet from his pouch. "Today, I'll give you the honor of hunting the Gloomfur Bear, a beast revered out here for its strength. It might've even been the one that attacked Renzo and you."

Making a four-year-old hunt a bear? Yup, only in fiction would that logic work, Renjiro thought, his gaze fixed on the oversized bullet. But what's up with that large bullet? Just as he was about to ask, Bram continued.

"Normal bullets don't work on him. This is called an AT2 bullet; it's used specifically for hunting big prey like these. While there might be other methods, this is the most viable."

Never heard of such a beast in any One Piece fandom, but what would you expect from a world so fleshed out? Every detail can't be incorporated, Renjiro noted internally, intrigued.

"Grandpa, but why are we up in the tree?" Renjiro finally asked, looking around the expansive platform.

Bram chuckled, a grim edge to the sound. "Because the Gloomfur Bear is no ordinary beast, boy. It stands a terrifying three and a half meters tall, its incredibly thick fur absorbs light, making it almost invisible in the dense shadows of its dark forest home, and it can walk as silently as a falling leaf. Facing it upfront is suicide. We wait and ambush it from atop, where we have the advantage. This tree was Coal's favorite spot for hunting them. We're not just hunters, Renjiro; against a beast like this, we're strategists."

As they waited on the sturdy platform for the Gloomfur Bear, Renjiro saw his chance and asked Bram about his past.

"Grandpa, were you a bigshot in the Marines?" Renjiro asked, trying to sound casual.

I can't act like I know too much, but it'd be pretty funny if he was just a seaman recruit. Hope not. I take pride in my foster father.

Bram looked at him with a warm, knowing smile. "Ho ho ho! I've been waiting for you to get intrigued by Marine affairs, boy." He laughed softly, not wanting to disturb the forest's quiet. "I was a Lieutenant in the Marines. Worked there for forty years, son. There are many stories I can tell you from my time." He looked down for a moment, a faint frown creasing his weathered face. "There's much I gained and much I lost." To lighten the mood, he quickly smiled again. "But there isn't anything greater than gaining you and the rest of our family," he said, his voice dropping slightly, a touch of sadness as he reminisced about his days in the Marine Corps.

Renjiro knew that being a Marine wasn't always a happy-go-lucky job. It was either you were Admiral-level, had some kind of Devil Fruit power, or you were just cannon fodder.

Must've been tough. I mean, it's not like I've experienced it, but from what I know, most Marines are just... there.

Bram looked up, his smile returning fully. "Renjiro, the world is wide and big. In your lifetime, it's probably impossible to explore every sea and island. The sheer amount of beauty and design in this world makes me grateful for life."

Tell me about it. Exploring the One Piece world was something I'd dreamt about, although living in it is something else. Well, I might as well keep inquiring him.

"Grandpa, is this world really that big?" Renjiro asked innocently, wanting to continue the conversation.

Bram looked at him with a big smile. "So big, in fact, that you would daydream all day about wanting to go out!" Bram chuckled, then continued.

"There are four main seas: North, South, East, and West. Dividing them all is the Grand Line." He let the name hang in the air. "It's a beast of an ocean, son. The weather's wild, the islands are unpredictable, and normal compasses don't work. You need a special one called a Log Pose. On either side of it are the Calm Belts—vast, still waters with no wind, no currents, and giant Sea Kings lurking beneath. Most sailors avoid them unless they've got tricks up their sleeves."

Bram pointed upward, tracing an invisible line. "And then there's the Red Line. A massive landmass that wraps around the world like a spine. It intersects the Grand Line at two points, splitting it into two halves." He drew a line in the air. "The first half is Paradise. Dangerous, but manageable. The second half is the New World. That's where the real monsters live—pirates, chaos, etc. It's where legends are made... and broken." His voice softened. "It's a dangerous world, Renjiro. But for those brave—or foolish—enough to chase it, it holds more adventure and freedom than anywhere else."

If he was just a Lieutenant, that's pretty high up, but for someone to use Conqueror's Haki... no way at all. Even if you're an Admiral, you have to be born with it. That puts me in a predicament. It's either that saber-toothed tiger just fled for no reason, or Bram is hiding his powers for some reason and never showed them – although that doesn't seem likely – or there's someone else here in this forest. Renjiro was concerned because he knew that a Conqueror's Haki user was no joke.

Kizaru and Akainu came from the North Blue, but they can't use Conqueror's Haki. Doflamingo could, but obviously, he isn't in the Saint Athers Kingdom; that wouldn't make sense. Also, at this time, I'm pretty sure it's years after his family came down from Mariejois, so he's still young. This isn't something I can just leave alone, Renjiro was in deep thought but continued to ask questions.

"Grandpa, did you only stay here in the North Blue?" he asked, wanting to grasp a better idea of this man.

"Ho ho ho!" Bram said with happiness. "This great man traveled to many areas! Although I've only been to the West Blue before, I didn't go to the East or South. But fear not, my adventurous stories came from the wildest place: the Grand Line, ho ho ho!"

I'm surprised he even survived the Grand Line as a Lieutenant. Makes sense, though, since the pirating gets worse after this coming year.

"I've traveled to many islands during my twenty years working as a Lieutenant in the Grand Line. I mostly was operating in Paradise, but I had a fair share of time in the New World, and oh boy, are you in for stories, ho ho ho!" he said.

As Renjiro was about to ask another question, the ground began to shake, and tree leaves rustled violently from afar.

"Renjiro, quickly! Lay down!" Bram commanded, his voice sharp with urgency. "We only have two bullets right now. If you fail this shot, it's all up to you. Try your best and stay calm. Remember, stay focused and don't get distracted." As Bram readied the rifle and handed it to Renjiro, the beast appeared, and at that moment, Renjiro twitched.

Bram noticed and said, "Don't be fearful. Remember, you have the advantage. Even if you miss, I'll kill it. Right now, take advantage of this experience." Bram spoke, though he couldn't understand why Renjiro had twitched.

It's the bastard that almost killed me, you hunk of meat! You'll be meeting God this early in the morning.

"Grandpa, it's the one that attacked Renzo and you before, the very one!" Renjiro exclaimed angrily.

Bram noticed the anger in Renjiro's voice and said, "Look, boy, I've told you, don't let your emotions get the best of you. Complete this, like I've taught you, and make me proud. There isn't any kid with your intellect or capability in the town, or in the kingdom, I bet." He smiled as he ruffled Renjiro's hair. "Go get him."

Renjiro took a deep, steadying breath, the rifle feeling heavy and cold in his small hands. He aimed, the world narrowing to the iron sights and the colossal form of the Gloomfur Bear. It stood tall—three and a half meters of muscle and shadow, its thick, dark fur absorbing the light like a living shadow.

This isn't just a hunt… it's payback.

The beast that nearly killed him and Renzo.

He steadied himself, recalling Bram's advice: Stay calm. Focus. His eyes locked onto a spot just behind the shoulder—less fur, more muscle.

He held his breath. Exhaled. Pulled the trigger.

The AT2 bullet thundered out, shaking the platform and sending birds screaming skyward. The recoil nearly knocked Renjiro back, but he braced himself.

The shot hit. The bear jerked, a roar ripping through the trees—not of pain, but rage. Blood bloomed on its side, yet it didn't fall. Its eyes, fierce and intelligent, locked on them. It turned, massive paws tearing at the ground.

"It's hit!" Bram shouted, rifle raised. "But not down! Reload!"

Renjiro scrambled to load the next bullet, his hands shaking. His shoulder throbbed. The bear's roar pounded through his chest like a drum. It was charging.

He raised the rifle again—but his vision blurred. Panic crept in.

Bram saw it—the trembling hands, the distant eyes. This wasn't failure—it was too much. No child should stare down a monster like this.

"I've got it, Renjiro!" Bram barked.

With seasoned precision, he fired.

The second AT2 round struck true. The bear let out a choked roar and collapsed, its body crashing to the forest floor with a deep, final thud. The ground shook. Silence followed.

Bram exhaled, lowering his rifle. He turned to Renjiro, still pale, still trembling.

"You did good," he said gently, placing a hand on the boy's shoulder. "You hit it. I just finished what you started."

He didn't mention the fear. Some lessons are learned in action—others in quiet reflection.

"Come on. Let's go smoke that meat."