"Nepiee, it's real!" A deafening roar startled the blond youth, who lay on the ground, having been asleep for an unknown period, yet appeared to be only about three years old.
Although a child of this age should be called a toddler, for some reason, he inexplicably gave off the impression of having lived for a long, long time.
Let's just call him "youth" for now!
The youth's appearance was exquisitely delicate, his fair face without a single blemish, and his dazzling golden hair was enviable. His matching emerald green eyes gazed steadily at the pristine sky, and in the depths of his clear eyes, a hint of bewilderment was inexplicably reflected.
Getting up from the ground, the youth looked around. He was surrounded by a lush, dense forest, with sprawling vegetation completely blocking his view. He had no idea where this place was.
It must be an island!
His nostrils twitched slightly, and the youth caught the scent of seawater.
How nostalgic!
Feeling strange about the thought that arose in his mind, the youth did not try to confirm the existence of the sea. Instead, he started walking towards the center of the island. There stood a colossal tree, like a giant mushroom, firmly rooted in the island's heart, almost covering half of the island.
This must be a sparsely populated island, still preserving its natural essence, with traces of human existence almost faded.
However, danger also existed.
On this island lived various strange creatures, some of whom could even speak.
But the youth had no intention of communicating with them. With a blank mind, the youth had an extremely strong sense of danger. His steps grew faster and faster, and his movements became more agile. Weaving left and right, the youth always brushed past those monsters in the nick of time.
This island was larger than he imagined. Although it seemed to be right in front of him, the distance didn't feel like it was getting any closer.
The youth did not lose heart, continuing to advance towards the center while avoiding potential dangers.
However, just as the youth was about to approach the center of the island, his heart skipped a beat, and he immediately jumped backward.
Boom!!
A long tongue suddenly shot out from the dense forest and slammed down, creating a deep hole over three meters deep in the ground.
"Who!!"
The youth frowned, his eyes vigilantly scanning forward.
Whoosh—
There was a rustle in the dense forest, and then a mountain-sized heavy lizard slammed down with a "boom" in front of the youth.
Hiss hiss~~~
Accompanied by the sound of its tongue flicking, the large lizard's lantern-like eyes shifted slightly, immediately fixing all its attention on the youth.
Whoosh—!
The long tongue lashed out like a whip towards the youth. It seemed the large lizard had already deemed the small figure in front of him to be his lunch.
So fast!
The youth's pupils contracted. He dropped to the ground and rolled, narrowly dodging the attack.
Although this was merely a human's instinct under a reflex, the youth, having dodged, showed no joy. Instead, a hint of regret, unbefitting his age, appeared on his delicate face.
Why... did I dodge?
The youth's left hand touched his eyelids. His emerald green pupils had, at some point, turned a blood-like crimson. And in those scarlet eyes, three tomoe slowly rotated.
Why... was I afraid?
"Heart—"
Just as the youth was wondering about the sudden thoughts in his mind, a light, ethereal voice pulled him back to reality. Then, under the youth's terrifyingly calm gaze, the large lizard's tongue stabbed directly towards the youth's chest.
Swish!
The moment the large tongue touched the youth, his body suddenly vanished. When he reappeared, the youth was already standing on the large lizard's head.
Instant Transmission: A high-speed movement technique.
I saw it!!
The world before his eyes suddenly slowed down, every frame clearly imprinted in the youth's vision.
Sharingan: A dōjutsu that combines insight, copying, and genjutsu.
These strange pieces of knowledge suddenly flowed into the youth's mind, like an instinct. The youth did not feel any doubt because of this; it was as if these things were already very familiar to him.
My body... it hurts... Thump—
The youth's brows twitched unnaturally, and he half-knelt on the large lizard's head. Although he had instantly arrived on the lizard's head using an instinctive ability, his fragile body was not strong enough to withstand such terrifying speed.
Awoo awoo awoo—
The youth dodging the large lizard's tongue twice had already enraged it, but now he dared to step on its head. The large lizard roared angrily several times, its body thrashing wildly, trying to shake off the youth standing on its head.
"Quiet!!"
As soon as the youth's voice came out, the surrounding air suddenly stagnated. Within the range covered by his voice, it was as if everything was dominated by a powerful will, and all living beings were awed by this aura.
Haoshoku Haki: The ability to intimidate or knock out enemies with one's own "spirit," but if not controlled well, it can affect those nearby; conversely, if Haki reaches a higher level, it can achieve a suppressive effect. It is the "Haki" of one in several million who possesses the "King's Aptitude" to stand above others. It can be controlled freely but cannot be strengthened through training; it can only be enhanced through the user's own growth.
Roar—
"Mere human!!! A mere human actually—actually dares to—"
The large lizard was completely enraged. Forcibly suppressing the fear that had arisen from the depths of its soul, the large lizard roared upwards, stomped its left foot, and the entire island seemed to tremble.
Looking indifferently at the large lizard below that still hadn't given up struggling, the youth sighed, clenching his right hand into a fist. A white orb of light immediately appeared on his fist, and the fist, enveloped in the light orb, slammed down fiercely.
"Airquake!"
Rumble!!
Centered on his fist, the immense power caused severe fracturing in space, like a shattered mirror. The large lizard's massive body was directly crushed into a paste by this power that even gods would fear.
Tremor-Tremor Fruit: The ability to cause vibrations at any time (the range is controlled by oneself). It can make the atmosphere vibrate, split the sea, and cause massive tsunamis, with enough power to topple an island. It can also form a pressure shield from the power of the Airquake, which can be attached to weapons or limbs to unleash attacks with a shattering sound.
"Pfft—"
After dealing with the large lizard, the youth's legs gave out, and he collapsed onto the pulped remains of the large lizard's body, uncontrollably spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood.
"My body, it hurts..."
With his last murmur, the youth slowly closed his eyes. But in that instant, a golden flash drifted past his eyes... When the youth awoke, it was already the next morning.
Opening his eyes, he saw the familiar sky.
"You're finally awake, huh."
A somewhat familiar voice sounded beside his ear. The youth stood up and turned his head to see a long-haired girl with the same hair color as his.
Her wavy golden hair casually draped behind her, and she had the same emerald green eyes as him. What was strange, however, was that she was barefoot, and her presence felt incredibly eerie.
"A ghost?"
"Eh—"
The girl seemed very surprised. Blinking her eyes, she chuckled, "It seems you're not an ordinary person either."
"I suppose so."
The youth nodded noncommittally.
Looking around, this was no longer the place where he had fainted, and the bloodstains on his body had vanished without a trace.
"You brought me here, didn't you? Thank you."
"It's nothing, just a small favor. If you want to thank someone, thank yourself. Because of you, the surrounding beasts didn't dare to come near, which is why I was able to bring you here easily. Otherwise, if another beast came, I couldn't have helped."
"How useless. Aren't ghosts supposed to be very powerful?"
The youth looked at the girl with a strange expression, which made her pout in dissatisfaction.
"I'm a ghost, a ghost!! If I'm a ghost, it means I'm already dead. How can a dead person be powerful? And you're the strangest one! Being able to see ghosts and not being afraid, you're more like a ghost."
The girl's surprise was not unfounded, because apart from her guildmates, she had never encountered anyone else who could see her, not even "him," the Dark Mage Zeref, who could be called her master.
"Being able to see ghosts... is that strange?"
The youth tilted his head, looking bewildered. His innocent expression made the girl even more conflicted.
"Never mind, little brother, who are you, and where do you live?"
Putting aside that question, the girl decided it was best to first ascertain the youth's identity.
"Who am I..."
But what surprised the girl was that the youth instead showed an astonished expression.
"Hey, hey, hey, you're not telling me you don't even know your own name, are you?"
"No..."
The youth extended his hand, denying the girl's words.
"I should have a name... Yes, I have a name. I remember... I am... Oz Vessalius..."