【One Piece】Dawn in the Darkness

Chapter 466 Ruskena Island

Ruscaina is an island teeming with flora and fauna, with towering jungle trees whose trunks are covered in thick moss and vines.

When they landed, it seemed to be springtime, with the entire island covered in lush green grass, just as he had sensed before arriving, that there were many fierce and enormous wild beasts.

Along their path, green eyes flickered in the dim light, but these monsters and beasts posed no threat to them, nor did they attempt to attack them. So they ignored them and strolled leisurely along the verdant lawn path as if on a spring outing.

“This is a deserted island with a harsh environment. The seasons change every week, and hundreds of ferocious beasts roam around,” Rayleigh explained as he led them to the heart of the forest.

“It suits Luffy perfectly,” Lucci remarked as he pulled Luffy’s hand to keep up with Rayleigh’s pace.

Because Luffy was running around excitedly in the forest, he had to stop him like this. Even though Luffy had started to follow them quietly now, he didn't let go of Luffy's hand, because he knew that once he let go, Luffy would immediately rush into the forest by himself and turn it upside down.

“Perfect for Luffy to tame,” Ace grinned.

“Just like when we used to hunt as kids,” Sabo chuckled. “Maybe we can do it together again before we leave.”

"With you guys around, I bet we could trigger a mass extinction in a few days," Rayleigh said, shaking his head in disapproval.

"We'll try our best to spare a few for Luffy," Lucci chuckled.

"They're all mine! I'm going to tame them all with my own strength and then eat them!" Luffy pouted, dissatisfied with his brother's idea of ​​stealing his flesh.

Lucci chuckled and pinched Luffy's cheek. "Don't be too greedy."

Luffy snorted in dissatisfaction.

Led by Rayleigh, they quickly arrived at the very center of the island, which once seemed to be an ancient town. The only evidence of its existence now consisted of the broken ruins still remaining on the surface of the earth. They helped Rayleigh set up camp under the central tower.

After setting up camp, the group couldn't wait to explore the island, as it was a forest full of mystery and adventure.

“Luffy, this place almost feels like home, doesn’t it?” Ace looked at the surrounding trees and almost laughed.

Luffy grinned and nodded. "Just like Dawn Island."

“The animals on Dawn Island aren’t that fierce,” Sabo grinned.

“There’s no weekly seasonal change either,” Lucci said with a smile.

After saying that, all four of them laughed.

"I wonder if Tiger King is here!" Luffy excitedly looked around.

"Hmm, maybe we can take a look for you," Lucci said with a sly smile. "I'll confirm for you; its meat must be delicious."

"No, these are all my animals!" Luffy pouted. "You can't hit my animals!"

“You’re just too greedy.” Ace grinned and gently nudged Luffy. “We should have a hunt today, no matter what.”

"No!" Luffy shook his head firmly, then leaned back excitedly, waving his hands wildly in front of his chest with each word. "I want to defeat them all myself, especially that Tiger King, I'll knock it down with one punch!"

"Haha, as expected of my brother." Sabo grinned.

Looking at the excited Luffy, Lucci teased, "Then we won't have any meat tonight."

"No meat!?" Luffy immediately gasped in horror.

Ace's face instantly broke into a mocking smile. "That's right, after all, someone's preventing us from hunting."

Luffy frowned in confusion, "Then...then you can't eat my Tiger King!"

The three older brothers exchanged a glance and immediately burst into laughter.

"Don't worry, Luffy!" Ace's smile grew even brighter. "We'll save a few for you!"

"No way! Ace!" Luffy angrily lunged at Ace. "You can only take on a few, the rest are mine!"

Lucci and Sabo exchanged a glance and shook their heads with amusement.

……

"Look what I found, Lucci!" Luffy excitedly pointed to a pile of mushrooms on the ground. "These are laughing mushrooms, they're delicious!"

"Hmm... I don't think we can eat this." Lucci squatted on the ground, looking at the pile of bright yellow mushrooms with green spots on top that Luffy was pointing to.

"You absolutely can't eat this!" Ace angrily grabbed Luffy's ear and dragged him away. "I've told you so many times!!"

Sabo sighed helplessly, "Don't eat random things, Luffy."

"But I'm hungry! It's really delicious! I ate it last time!" Luffy kept staring at the mushroom and refused to leave, while protesting to Ace.

Sabo couldn't stand it anymore and pushed Luffy away from the pile of mushrooms. "Ace, how did you raise him to be this big?"

"It's a mystery." Ace shook his head helplessly.

"I think we should try that! I bet it would taste amazing if grilled with meat!" Luffy exclaimed excitedly, waving his arms and legs. "If Sanji made it, it would definitely be even more delicious!"

"Then let's eat this. These mushrooms are edible." Lucci caught up with them and showed them the mushrooms he had just picked.

"Oh, that's great! It'll taste delicious baked like this!" Luffy excitedly took the mushroom from Lucci's hand.

"When did you go to find it?" Ace stared at the mushroom in disbelief.

“There were a lot over there just now.” Lucci smiled and pointed to the area under the tree behind them. It seemed to be a good place for mushrooms to grow. He saw several kinds that were edible, but there were many more poisonous ones.

“This is definitely edible.” Sabo looked at it carefully for a while and then nodded.

“Let’s go find some more…” Lu Qi hadn’t finished speaking when he suddenly sensed a group of presences coming from the depths of the forest. “Someone’s coming.”

The four men scanned the dense forest ahead with keen eyes, ready for any possible attack.

Soon a group of figures emerged from the depths of the forest. In the dappled light, their colorful leather armor shimmered, and the intricate patterns on the armor gleamed coldly with their synchronized steps.

“It’s her again…” Lucci frowned as he looked at the woman leading the group. He hadn’t forgotten how she had tried to take Luffy right in front of them last time.

“Boa Hancock.” Ace looked coldly at the Empress who was staring at Luffy. Although he knew he should be grateful to the Empress for providing Luffy with a training ground, her desire for Luffy made it impossible for him to be friendly to her.

"Hancock!" Luffy waved excitedly, wanting to go over, but Lucci and Ace kept grabbing his shoulders to stop him. Luffy pouted in dissatisfaction, but still didn't try to rush over.

"Luffy!!" Hancock covered her face shyly.

Sabo sighed, stepped forward, and politely removed his hat as he looked at the Empress and her Kuja tribe. "Your Majesty, thank you for providing Luffy with this island as his training ground."