Chapter 3 : Island experiences

I've been on this island for about 1 and a half years now. During this time I've grown quite a bit, I used to be around 140cm and now I'm 170cm. My hair is now reaching my back and I've built quite a bit of muscle and an athletic build. I've also increased the intensity of my training as I have started shadow boxing and putting large boulders on my back during my push-ups.

I've also built a small shelter out of wood from trees around me. When I first arrived I was a bit worried about what I would do for my clothes for winter but it seems like this island stays in summer throughout the year or maybe the seasons have a cycle of 2 years and more.

I've also taken on the monkey bear hybrids which I've decided to call "monbears' and damn are they quite strong. Not only could their claws easily shred through the trees, they could also uproot a tree with their tails. They also move very fast as they are bipedal. I remember my first fight with them roughly 5 months ago like it was yesterday as it was my first brush with death.

*FLASHBACK START*

After thinking about it for some time I decided that it was time to take on the top predator of this area. I set out in search for the monbears, despite them standing over 7 feet I couldn't seem to find them anywhere. As I was about to set back I felt my instincts telling me to jump as I suddenly felt a large force slam into my back. I slam into a tree and manage to completely smash right through it, I feel all the air leave my lungs and I spit out a mouthful of blood. I look up to see what managed to do that injure me that much to see a large bipedal animal with the body of a bear and the tail and face of a monkey. The monbear's teeth were full of canines the size of my middle finger and white fur with stains of red on its hand showing it just came from devouring another animal.

"How the hell did I not hear something this fucking large approaching me at such a speed," I think. Taking my dazed state as an opportunity it throws a punch at me, I manage to roll over to avoid the large fist descending towards me. *BOOM* as its fist lands on the ground it leaves a large crater. I stand up and start running towards it. It sends a kick down that a barely manage to dodge, I punch it behind its kneecap, it falls on one knee and I punch it in its face. As the punch leaves the beast slightly dazed I grab its canines and throw a headbutt which dazes it even more. As I was about to throw another punch I feel something wrap around me and throw me towards a tree. "Shit, I completely forgot about the tail, gotta be more aware of that next time"

As I'm standing up I pick some dirt in my hand and run towards the monbear one more time. I jump and throw the dirt into its eyes which causes it to randomly throw punches, It smashes in half and grabs it with its tail, and uses it as a weapon. It swings the tail at me and I roll over it and continue running towards it. I punch it in its gut causing it to slightly bend down and jump up and grabbed hold of its head. I start gouging out its eyes causing it to flail around and smash into a few trees. I manage to gouge out its eyes making the fight easier. The rest of the fight was easier than the first part as I only needed to dodge its poor attempts at punches and bash its skull in.

The monbear soon dies and I sit over its corpse, the adrenaline soon dies down as the pain caused by it soon hits me. Despite knowing that I should start moving away soon as the other predators will smell the blood I couldn't as I was in too much pain. My ribs were broken from the first attack and my other arm was slightly bent in a weird direction.

I soon force myself to get up and walk back to my little shelter. As soon as I got back I collapsed on my makeshift bed and fell asleep as soon as I touched it. I wake up to what I assume was a few days later to see that I was in much better shape, not only was there not a lot of pain when I move now, my arm was completely healed too. I decided to take a 1-day break before going back to my training.

*FLASHBACK END*

Thinking back to that fight made me realise how much I've grown, back then it was quite a colossal task whilst now it was way easier. I decided that it was about time I start looking for this cave so I can get my devil fruit and leave. I climb to the top of the trees to get an idea of where it might be, I reach the top and was immediately mesmerized by the view, I could see the ocean on the horizon with large trees that seem to reach for the heavens, looking at this made me realize how trivial my existence in this world currently was which lit up a passion in me. " Soon, the world will know my name, not only will my name bring shivers down people's spines but my power will be respected by all whether it be marines, pirates or the revolutionary army, they will all know the name 'Kouu' ". As I fall out my trance and remember why I climb down I find a large mountain with a large cave near the top "Well at least the cave was easy to find," I think

I climb down the trees and pack the things I'll need like food and water. Considering the distance it will take me about 1 and a half days to get there. The trip itself was quite uneventful as no animals attacked me "Animal instinct really is an amazing thing, they don't even need the use of observation haki to see that they're weaker than me."

As I get to the foot of the mountain I only then realise how big this mountain is. I start my trek to the cave at the top of the mountain to where the monster guarding my devil fruit is. It took me a few hours to get there which wasn't a problem as my stamina was well trained. I got to the cave and start walking in, the further I walk the darker it is with light being at the end of the tunnel, I reach the end of the tunnel where I see a grand temple surrounded by a lake. The temple itself was covered with magnificently carved murals. The temple which was originally white had lost its shine but the gold that covered some of the parts still shined brilliantly. Above the door of the temple was a giant carving of an eye with two pupils. I enter the temple and walk to the stairs on the other side of the temple. I walk to the bottom of the stairs where I see a large door, I walk to the door and open it which requires quite some force. As I open the door I am greeted by a large beast sporting dark fur that seemed to merge with the darkness with the face of a lion and the body of a wolf.

"A worthy opponent for someone for someone guarding the fruit that will take me to the pinnacle of this world"