The wind changed before anyone saw them.
Ren felt it first.
That pressure again.
Different from before.
He stood up slowly from the training yard.
"…they're back."
Kuina frowned.
"…who?"
Zoro already grabbed his wooden sword.
"…I don't like that tone."
Ren didn't answer immediately.
Because he could feel it clearly now.
Not just one presence.
Several.
Moving toward the shore.
Fast.
Arrival at the Shore
By the time they reached the coast—
The ship was already docked.
Not Marine.
Not friendly.
A pirate flag hung loosely from the mast.
Black cloth.
A cracked skull emblem.
Zoro narrowed his eyes.
"…pirates."
Kuina stepped forward slightly.
"…they're small."
Ren didn't relax.
"…small doesn't mean safe."
One of the pirates jumped down first.
Laughing.
"…so this is the famous Shimotsuki village?"
Another followed.
"…doesn't look like much."
More landed.
Eight in total.
Armed.
Confident.
Too confident.
The Wrong Kind of Calm
The leader stepped forward.
Scar across his face.
"…we're just here for supplies."
He smiled.
But it didn't reach his eyes.
"…and maybe a few recruits."
Zoro stepped forward immediately.
"…leave."
The pirate chuckled.
"…or what? you'll hit us with sticks?"
Laughter spread among them.
Kuina tightened her grip.
Ren stepped forward slightly.
"…leave."
The pirate leader tilted his head.
"…or?"
Silence.
Then—
A subtle shift.
Ren activated it.
Not fully.
Just a fraction.
Soul Pressure
The world slowed slightly.
Not visually.
But perceptually.
The pirate leader's "outline" appeared.
Crude.
Dark.
Unstable.
Filled with violence.
But—
Behind him—
Others flickered too.
Different shapes.
Different densities.
Ren's breath slowed.
"…so this is what it looks like…"
Zoro frowned.
"…what are you doing?"
Kuina glanced at Ren.
"…that feeling again?"
Ren didn't answer.
Because something else happened.
The pirates hesitated.
Just slightly.
The leader frowned.
"…what's that feeling?"
Zoro blinked.
"…they felt it too?"
Ren's hand tightened.
It's spreading further than before…
First Clash
The pirate leader moved first.
Fast.
Too fast for ordinary villagers.
But not for them.
Zoro rushed in.
Clack!
Wood against steel.
Kuina followed immediately.
Precise strike.
One pirate down.
Another lunged—
Ren stepped forward.
This time—
He didn't hesitate.
"…don't get in my way."
He reached inward.
The darkness responded.
Not violently.
Controlled.
Thin.
Like mist.
He extended it.
Toward the attacker.
Death Reaper (Partial Use)
The pirate froze mid-step.
"…what the—?!"
His outline flickered violently.
Not physically harmed.
But something else—
His balance broke.
His fear spiked.
His instincts collapsed.
He stumbled.
Zoro finished him immediately.
"…what did you do?" Zoro shouted.
Ren didn't answer.
Because he felt it again.
Cost.
A small part of himself—
Gone.
But refined.
Kuina Sees It Clearly
Kuina moved beside him.
"…you didn't attack him."
Ren shook his head slightly.
"…I didn't need to."
Her eyes narrowed.
"…you disrupted him."
"…something like that."
She didn't fully understand.
But she accepted it.
For now.
The Leader Reacts
The pirate leader stepped back slightly.
"…what is this village…"
His eyes locked on Ren.
"…you."
Ren met his gaze.
For a brief moment—
The leader saw it too.
Not just fear.
But something deeper.
Something unnatural.
He stepped back.
"…we're leaving."
The pirates hesitated.
"…boss?"
"NOW."
They retreated.
Fast.
Back to their ship.
Gone within minutes.
Silence returned.
Aftermath
Zoro lowered his sword.
"…that was it?"
Kuina exhaled slowly.
"…they ran."
Ren didn't relax.
"…they didn't understand."
Zoro frowned.
"…understand what?"
Ren looked at the sea.
"…me."
Silence.
Kuina stepped closer.
"…that power again."
"…yeah."
Zoro crossed his arms.
"…it's creepy."
Ren gave a small smile.
"…I agree."
Something Is Watching Harder Now
Far offshore—
On the pirate ship—
The leader's hand trembled slightly.
"…that kid…"
A subordinate frowned.
"…boss?"
The leader's face darkened.
"…mark this place."
"…why?"
He didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…because that wasn't normal."
Kuina Stays Close
That night—
Kuina didn't leave immediately.
She stayed beside Ren longer than usual.
"…you're getting stronger fast."
Ren leaned back.
"…maybe."
"…that's not normal growth."
"…I know."
Silence.
Then—
Kuina spoke quietly.
"…don't disappear."
Ren blinked.
"…again with that?"
She looked away slightly.
"…just don't."
He smiled faintly.
"…I won't."
But inside—
He wasn't sure anymore.
Because every use of his power—
Made him feel less like "himself."
And more like something forming inside him.
Zoro's Resolve Deepens
Zoro stood alone later that night.
Training.
Harder than before.
"…if that thing is out there…"
He swung again.
"…then I need to be stronger."
Again.
"…strong enough to cut anything."
Again.
His eyes sharpened.
"…even that."
The First True Shift in Fate
Ren stood at the shore later that night.
Watching the sea.
Something had changed.
The threads he once barely sensed—
Were now clearer.
Stronger.
And more connected.
But—
Also more unstable.
"…this isn't just me anymore…"
He whispered.
"…I'm changing everything I touch."
The wind blew.
But for a brief moment—
It felt like the world was listening back.