New Shining Star |『 Male Reader 』• One Piece

Cover Story 1: Tales of the Red Cinders - Part 2

The dense jungle of Nightingale Island loomed ahead, its towering trees casting long, dark shadows beneath the eternal night sky. The air was thick with an unsettling energy, the forest's usual calm disturbed by the faint hum of something unnatural.

Despite the eerie atmosphere, the Red Cinders moved forward calmly, their eyes sharp and senses heightened. The soft glow of the plants around them pulsed faintly, reacting to their movements as if the island was alive and watching their every step.

*Whoosh*

A breeze rustled through the dense foliage, carrying a strange scent that put the crew further on edge. Homura's sharp eyes darted from tree to tree, her senses heightened. "Keep your guard up," she muttered, her fingers brushing over the hilt of her sword.

*Crunch*

*Snap*

Naoki's foot pressed down on a dry leaf, the sound oddly loud in the otherwise silent jungle. He followed closely behind, his eyes observing the peculiar trees swaying unnaturally. He was the calmest of the group, always tuned to nature, but even he couldn't deny the unease settling in. "This place is...too quiet," he murmured.

Hinote walked ahead, leading the group through the twisted maze of trees and glowing flora. "It is, but we need to be prepared for anything regardless," he said softly, glancing over his shoulder at his crew.

They pushed deeper into the forest, and as they did, the jungle seemed to stir in response to their presence. Vines twisted and writhed like snakes, while large, glowing plants shifted as if alive. Then, suddenly, a plant lunged toward them from the side, its long, thorny vines reaching out like claws.

*Whoosh*

*Slash*

Homura's sword flashed in the pale moonlight, severing the aggressive plant with a single clean strike. The vines dropped to the ground, writhing before going still. "Too wild for my liking," Homura muttered as she sheathed her sword, her eyes scanning for more threats.

Just as she finished, another tree nearby began shifting, its massive roots slowly pulling up from the earth, threatening to uproot itself entirely. Naoki stepped forward. "Wooden Bind," he said as wood tendrils surround the tree.

"Not so fast," Naoki said, lowering his hands. He watched the tree's roots retreat and bury deeper into the soil. The tree groaned as it sank back into place, held firmly by Naoki's control.

Further ahead, Hinote walked calmly, his eyes constantly scanning the jungle. His senses alerted him to a presence behind him: another vine, creeping slowly, preparing to strike. Without turning around, he snapped his fingers, and a flame engulfed the plant, reducing it to ashes. "Not today," he muttered, brushing the soot from his shoulder.

"That was easy enough," Rekka scoffed, her hands beginning to glow brighter. "Let me take care of the next one!" she declared, eager to unleash the power of her devil fruit. Her fingers sparked, and she grinned, preparing to blast any other plant that dared attack.