Island of beast

As Jon's weary body slowly regained its composure, he glanced around and realized that the ship had arrived at an island shrouded in a dense canopy of towering trees.

The sight was awe-inspiring, for as far as his eyes could see, the island was blanketed in a lush, verdant expanse of foliage. Massive trees stretched skyward, their trunks thick and gnarled, their branches intertwining in a magnificent display of nature's grandeur.

He stood alone on the deck, his gaze fixed upon the mesmerizing sight before him. The air was heavy with the scent of earth and vegetation, and the gentle rustling of leaves whispered secrets only the island held.

' So this is the island we are about to precipitate. '

The ship, devoid of wind or current, relied on the concerted effort of its crew to navigate through the island's waters.

Jon turned his attention to the rowers, a dedicated group of men and women whose muscles strained against the oars, propelling the vessel forward with each synchronized stroke.

They all wore masks.

Jon propelled himself off the deck of the ship.

The wind rushed past him as he descended through the air, his body in freefall. In his hands, he gripped his trusted longsword, its weight a familiar presence on his back.

Time seemed suspended as Jon's feet made contact with the soft sand of the island's shore. The impact sent a jolt through his legs, absorbed by his sturdy stance.

He stood tall, his eyes scanning the surroundings, a readiness emanating from his every pore.

The sand beneath his boots shifted and crunched with each step he took.

He heard numerous gunshots from the ship. Jon turned around grabbing his longsword from his back.

The ship burned with a flame.

Jon let go of the sword. ' All the crew members are killed. No. They killed themselves and burned the ship. '

' Things are getting annoying. '

The island's warm embrace welcomed him, a stark contrast to the unforgiving dead sea that lay behind him. The gentle lapping of waves against the shore provided a soothing soundtrack to his arrival.

With his longsword still firmly in his grip, Jon's senses sharpened, attuned to every rustle in the foliage and every whisper of the wind.

" Many beasts on this island. Many strong ones. " Jon frowned.

" Even stronger than my own. "

The blade glinted in the sunlight, its polished surface reflecting the surroundings like a mirror. It had been his faithful companion throughout his journey, a tool of both defence and offence, a conduit for his strength and skill.

Although he stole that from the unknown bum.

Jon's gaze swept across the sandy beach, taking in the panorama before him. The towering trees loomed in the distance, their massive forms casting shadows that stretched out across the land.

" Many large trees cover the island. I didn't know how many are watching me. " He murmured.

" Well, I will just cut through anything that stood in my way as usual. "

With a determined stride, Jon ventured forth, his boots sinking slightly into the sand with each step.

As he traversed the shore, his eyes scanned the horizon, searching for any signs of life or clues that would guide him on his quest. The island's lush foliage beckoned, promising hidden wonders and potential dangers.

Jon's grip on his longsword tightened, and his muscles coiled with anticipation. He was prepared to defend himself, to face whatever trials lay ahead.

Jon smiled.

With each determined swing of his longsword, Jon forged a path through the dense undergrowth that barred his way into the forest.

The rustling leaves and snapping branches echoed, as he carved his way through the tangle of foliage.

Thick vines and thorny bushes resisted his advance, but his sword cut through all that.

Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, casting intermittent beams of illumination that danced through the gaps in the foliage.

Jon's movements were swift and purposeful, his senses honed to anticipate any lurking danger.

' There had to be other people but I can sense their presence. Either they are good at hiding or I need to improve observation Haki. '

As he pushed deeper into the forest, a symphony of sounds enveloped him—the chirping of birds, the distant rustle of animals, and the whisper of wind through the trees.

He ducked beneath low-hanging branches, sidestepped fallen trunks, and weaved through the thick foliage.

As Jon pressed deeper into the forest, his senses attuned to every sound and movement, a sudden screech cut through the air. Before he could react, a blur of wings and claws descended upon him from above.

" Shit. " He cursed.

Instinct took over as Jon swiftly raised his longsword, its gleaming blade intercepting the flying creature's razor-sharp claws. A clash of metal against claw resounded, sparks of energy erupting in the collision.

The force of the attack jolted Jon, but he stood his ground, his grip on the longsword unyielding. The creature, its intentions thwarted, retreated with lightning speed, leaving Jon with only a fleeting glimpse of its ebony form.

The only trace left behind was a faint, ink-black spot against the verdant backdrop, evidence of the creature's swift retreat.

" What the hell was that? It was so fast. What kind of monster was it? " He asked himself.

The silence was abruptly shattered once more. From the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of movement—a blur of wings and a flash of talons closing in on him.

Reacting with lightning reflexes, Jon instinctively swung his longsword with precision and timing, parrying the creature's attack. The clash of steel against claw echoed through the forest, the impact reverberating in his arms.

" Again. I guess you think of me as prey. " Jon chuckled.

****

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