Blood centrifuge (Male reader x One piece harem AU)

Into the Jungle

The metallic taste of blood lingered on my lips as I pushed my way through the dense jungle. My hand gripped the hilt of the sword I had managed to salvage, the blade dulled and worn from battle. It was no longer a proud weapon—just a chunk of steel that had served its purpose, much like I once did for the Marines.

But I wasn't done yet.

With every step, I felt the weight of the island pressing down on me. There was something about this place—ancient, powerful, and dangerous. It wasn't just the creatures that called it home, but the air itself, thick with history and forgotten secrets. Every ruined stone I passed, every vine-choked relic, whispered of civilizations long gone.

My body ached with every step, my muscles still stiff from my fight with Akainu and the wounds I had suffered. I wasn't at my best, not even close. But weakness was a luxury I couldn't afford. I forced myself to stay alert, my mind racing, straining to keep my Observation Haki activated. It was weak, just a spark of what I had seen true masters wield, but it was enough to sense when danger was nearby.

And this jungle was full of danger.

I kept my breathing slow, my senses sharp. Every rustle in the trees, every shift of leaves in the undergrowth had my attention. This island was alive in ways that most places weren't—there was something primal about it, a force that pulsed beneath the surface. As I ventured deeper, I began to see the remains of structures—ruins, once proud and formidable, now crumbled and overtaken by nature. Stone buildings, perhaps once temples or fortresses, lay in shambles, with the jungle creeping over them like a silent predator.

The further I walked, the more I wondered what kind of people had lived here, what kind of power they had once wielded, and why it had all fallen into ruin.

But those thoughts were cut short when a sudden chill ran up my spine.

My Observation Haki flickered, a sensation of danger so strong it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I gripped the sword tighter, my eyes scanning the shadows around me.

And then I saw it.

A massive tiger—easily three times the size of any normal beast—emerged from the undergrowth. Its fur was the color of midnight, blending into the shadows of the jungle, but its eyes glowed a menacing yellow, locked onto me with predatory hunger. Its muscles rippled beneath its thick pelt as it crouched low, ready to pounce. This was no ordinary animal. It was a beast born from the wilds of this ancient land, a creature that had likely ruled this island for years.

I took a deep breath, tightening my grip on my battered sword. I was in no shape to fight, but there was no running from this.

The tiger lunged, faster than I expected. I barely had time to react, swinging my sword up to block its massive claws. The impact was brutal, the force sending me crashing back against a crumbled pillar. Pain shot through my body, but I forced myself to stay focused. This thing wasn't going to let me escape alive.

I rolled to the side just as the tiger's jaws snapped down where my throat had been, its growl echoing through the ruins. My movements were sluggish, my body heavy from fatigue, but I had no choice. I had to survive.

The beast came at me again, and I swung the sword with all the strength I could muster. The blade connected with its thick fur, but the cut was shallow—barely a scratch. My sword was too damaged, too weak, and I was too slow.

The tiger growled in annoyance, and I felt the blood drain from my face.

This thing was toying with me.

I needed to think. Fast.

The beast pounced again, and I sidestepped, feeling the rush of air as its massive body passed me by. I swung my sword at its hind leg, landing another shallow strike, but it wasn't enough to slow it down.