245 245. A New Beginning

As they watched, the sapling grew bigger and taller. In a few seconds it grew taller than Tama. Vibrant green leaves dotted it's branches.

"Big brother, big brother, how did you do that?"

Tama asked excitedly. She herself had the ability to tame animals, but this was something different. And it was amazing for a kid like her.

Leo laughed, "I didn't do anything. This is because of this girl. She has an ability similar to yours."

Hiyori was slightly embarrassed when Tama looked at her with stars in her eyes.

Hitetsu sized up the newly grown tree and said, " Incredible."

To make a seed grow in such little time, it was unheard of.

Leo heard Hitetsu and said, "Unfortunately this method can't be used on a wide scale. Atleast, not like this."

Hitetsu looked Hiyori and nodded, "Yes. It consumes too much energy. What do you suggest?"

Leo asked, "Is there a water reservoir in this village?"

Hitetsu shook his head, "No."

Leo rubbed his chin and said, "Then we need to make one. It doesn't have to be very large, just enough for a small plot of land."

"What are you planning?"

Hitetsu asked doubtfully.

Leo smiled, "Water is the source of life. The river next to Amigasa village is poisoned, we need to purify it and let the earth absorb it. This will increase the vitality in the soil, allowing plants to grow again."

Hitetsu widened his eyes and asked, "Will it work?"

"Why not? Her ability removes unfavorable elements from the soil and increases it's vitality. This method might be slow but it will stack and purify the poison in the soil."

Hitetsu thought for a moment and said, "Let's do it. I have my tools with me, all I need are the materials for the reservoir."

Leo nodded, "I'll take care of that."

They discussed and came up with a rough plan.

Leo walked into the cluster of trees with Tama.

"This should do."

His right hand and rested it on his sword.

Hummm...

Sword light flashed. A few of the large trees infront of them were sliced into to even pieces and stacked.

"Uwaa... big brother, can I also do that when I grow up?"

Tama looked at the rows of cut pieces of wood and asked.

Leo patted her head and said reassuringly, "Of course, you can."

Tama giggled happily.

Leo started moving the wood to an open space near the area they chose to build the reservoir.

Hitetsu was moving a large bundle filled with various types of tools. He had already sketched the reservoir and mapped out the details.

When he saw the large pile of wood he started his work. Leo wasn't familiar with carpentry and just watched from the side.

Tama was helping Hitetsu by passing tools he asked from time to time.

Leo smiled when he saw this.

Well, I guess they are master and student.

It was at this moment Zoro walked by. Leo glanced at him and asked, "So, you gonna tell me how you lost your sword or do I have to beat it out of you?"

Zoro faltered for a moment and said, "I was careless."

Leo didn't rebuke him, "If you were so careless to let your sword leave your side then your enemy wasn't an enemy."

Zoro nodded, he sat down and said, "I am going back to look for it."

Leo looked at him for a moment and turned his attention to Hiyori, "Can I trouble you to look after him?"

Hiyori nodded, "It'll be the least I can do for you."

The sun finally set.

While everyone was sleeping Hitetsu worked through the night. His body and mind were working at it's peak.

When everyone woke up the next day Hitetsu had already finished his work. His clothes were covered in saw dust and wax. However there was a bright glow in his eyes.

"Not bad. You even built the platform to fill it with water."

Leo commented after he saw the entire thing. The reservoir was thirty to forty meter away from the river. A high platform was built near it with a waterwheel next to it. Once the waterwheel is lowered it will start to fill the reservoir.

Hitetsu raised his head proudly.

"Let's get on with it. This will be a new start for Amigasa village."

He said emotionally.

Everyone went next to the waterwheel. Hitetsu pulled on a level. The waterwheel slid through a few locks and submerged into the river. A second later it started to rotate.

Water gushed out from the top of the platform and entered the reservoir.

Hitetsu didn't show any excitement and carefully examined the reservoir. Only after the reservoir was half full did he raise his arms in success.

Watching the water fill the reservoir Leo asked Hiyori, "How long will it take for you to purify the water?"

Hiyori replied, "If I take minimum rest, half a day."

Leo nodded, "Then it's no problem. Take your time and don't tire out too much."

With the success of the reservoir everyone ate food merrily. When they were finished the reservoir was filled.

Leo pulled on a lever and got the waterwheel out of the river. The waterwheel itself was heavy, it would have taken several people to pull it out of the water.

Hiyori climbed the ladder fixed to the reservoir and dipped her hand into the water. A second later a bright glow surfaced on her hand and spread across the water.

After a couple of minutes she withdrew her hand and got down.

"My ability seems to have improved."

She said.

Leo explained, "Devil fruit abilities gets strong the longer you use it. Harvest-Harvest fruit has great potential, try to develop it further."

Hiyori nodded seriously. In her mind this ability could change the fate of Wano if used properly.

"Once she is finished you can go ahead."

Leo spoke to Zoro who nodded in response.

Walking to a vacant space Leo raised his hand and slashed down. Sword light gathered where he slashed and turned the hard earth into loose soil.

"Hitetsu-san, did you make those pipes as I sketched?"

Leo asked.

Hitetsu nodded and pointed to the side, "It's all there."

Leo checked the steel pipes which had holes stretching along it's length with certain distance between each one.

He took them and pierced four pillars on each corner of the loosened plot of earth.

He then fixed the pipes with equal gaps between then over the plot of earth. There was a long piece of thin narrow wood fixed just beneath the holes on the pipe.

Making sure the entire structure was firm he took out a few pipes without holes in them and connected it to a valve at the bottom side of the reservoir.