New Shining Star |『 Male Reader 』• One Piece

Page 29: Bittersweet Symphony of a Betrayed Past

"The time is the Great Pirate Era!"

"Countless pirates fight desperately for the One Piece, the great treasure left behind by Gold Roger, the Pirate King."

"Y/n L/n, a young man whose body can transform into a buffalo after eating the Ox Ox Fruit Model Water Buffalo, also takes the sea to become the Pirate King."

"As Y/n and his friends overcome numerous adventures, the World Government is less and less able to ignore their existence."

"The crew, on its way to the New World, will speed along the Grand Line again today!"

*Crack*

*Rustling*

*Rustling*

The dense forest, usually a haven of tranquillity, now echoed with the fury of Inoko's footsteps. Each step crushed the fallen leaves and twigs beneath her feet, mirroring the crushing weight in her heart. Shadows from the tall trees played tricks on her eyes, but she pushed forward.

Inoko remembered all the times they had trained together in this forest. The memories were a tormenting contrast to her current quest. Every tree and stone bore witness to their bond and the subsequent betrayal.

Suddenly, she emerged into a familiar clearing, where countless hours had been spent training, laughing, sharing meals and dreams. The ground was underfoot, every dent and disturbance a testament to their shared history. Inoko's eyes darted around the open space, searching, demanding the presence of her once-beloved friend.

"Melantha!" she roared as her voice echoed off the distant trees. "Where are you?! Stop hiding and face me!" she shouted before gritting her teeth to try and calm herself. Her challenge hung in the air, and the only response was the whisper of the wind rustling through the trees.

Until a mocking chuckle, calm and confident, emerged from the shadows. "Hiding? Oh, Inoko..." purred Melantha. Her voice dripped with false sweetness as she slowly approached the clearing's center. "Did you think I was hiding? From you?" she asked, emphasising the last word.

"I thought you knew me better than that," she taunted. Her lips curled into a smirk, causing Inoko's fingers to itch to draw her twin swords. "I thought I did, too," she responded, her voice shaking with rage. "But look at where trust got us," she spat back.

Silence fell on them as Melantha held her smirk at Inoko's glaring expression before the latter finally spoke up. "Everything we shared, every moment, every fight...was it all just a lie?" she asked again but didn't receive an answer.

Melantha's eyes never left Inoko's. "Perhaps you were too naive to see the truth. Even when it was staring you in the face," she stated before unsheathing her naginata. "The truth?" asked Inoko, glaring at her before drawing her twin swords. "Well, now that I found you, I understand the truth. You're a traitor," she said.