Chapter 5: Tree Of Knowledge

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[ A few months later. ] - [ A few hours before turning 3 years old. ]

Inside a library, on the floor, surrounded by a stack of open books, sat a nearly 3-year-old Ray. His young face bore a look of frustration as he read through the contents of the books before him.

- - - -

I've been scouring this library for hours, but no matter how hard I try, I can't seem to find the books I'm looking for. Right now, I'm trying to find a book that directly relates to training or martial arts.

I realized that my earlier expectations might have been too optimistic. The World Government wouldn't readily provide this much information to the public. In this library, all I seem to come across are cookbooks, children's comics, and some books that lightly touch on the history of the world - all of them, of course, fabricated. Occasionally, I stumble upon a geographical book, a map of the West Blue, and some information about specific islands.

Other than that there are no useful books in this library. Now I'm partially confused about why there would be a need of libraries when you have a huge library in the middle of the island. Maybe these are just libraries just a ruse to watch the Tree of knowledge.

On another note, my progress to observation haki is still a work in progress, though there were incidents where I could feel something, just don't know how to directly describe it.

When it comes to finding the Hana Hana no Mi, I've hit a dead end. I can't go into the forest just yet, and even finding the devil fruit will be a challenge. This search might take a considerable amount of time. However, given that it's a devil fruit, it should stand out more prominently than the rest

-

I took a deep breath and let out a sigh of frustration, closing all the books and returning them to their shelves. As I was preparing to leave, I happened to glance at the clock, and suddenly, my eyes widened from surprise.

' Shit! Shit! Olga's going to kill me if I'm late! ' I mentally panicked, rushing out of the library. However, just as I was about to make my escape, I was interrupted by a obese woman.

" This is a library, not a playground," the lady said, adjusting her glasses on her face.

I concealed my frustration and offered a forced smile. " Sorry for that, ma'am. I'll be more careful next time!" I replied, trying to be as polite as possible.

" Anyways, have a good day," the lady said, went back behind her counter.

Ignoring her, I dashed out of the library and hurried toward my house. Surprisingly, for nearly midnight, the streets were bustling with people. It felt as though fate itself was conspiring against me.

I weaved my way through the crowd and eventually arrived at my house. It appeared dark and quiet, with no signs of activity. Yet, deep down, that this was all part of a birthday surprise.

I took a deep breath and wore my best acting face as I approached the door. With a final deep breath, I turned the doorknob and slowly pushed the door open, causing it to creak softly. Stepping inside, I found myself in complete darkness, barely able to make out anything in the room.

""" SURPRISEEEEE!!! HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY!!!! """ Suddenly, the lights flickered to life, and people jumped up from behind counters and tables, shouting. The room was filled with joyous cheers and laughter, creating a lively atmosphere.

" WHAAA!!! " My mouth hung open, and my eyes nearly popped out of their sockets in sheer surprise. But before I could react further, a fist came crashing down, connecting with my head and sending me tumbling to the floor, face-first.

Comically, a gigantic bump began to swell on my head, steam rising from it. Everyone in the room suddenly averted their eyes, pretending they hadn't witnessed anything, and began to whistle casually, as if nothing had happened.

" I told you to be here 3 hours ago!! " An old, grumpy voice shout from above. I slowly picked myself up from the floor and saw Olga towering over me, her fist extended out, emitting steam.

" I'm only 3 years old! Why do you have to hit me so hard! " I shouted back in a childish tone, holding my head in my palms as I tried to nurse the bump that had formed.

" I don't care, I asked you to be on time and came late... Embarrassing little child you are... " Olga said as she rolled her sleeves back ready to give me another beating.

" Whoa, whoa! Calm down, Olga, it's his birthday," intervened a brown-haired man. He had glasses, and wore a white coat with the sleeves partially rolled up. Under his coat he had a red shirt, with a grey colour and two yellow buttons.

" Save me, Roche!" I cried out in desperation, dashing behind him and peeking out from behind his coat, my eyes fixed on Olga.

" Let's all calm down," Roche urged, adjusting his glasses. " Olga, let's just get through this first, and you can deal with him later."

Olga sighed and reluctantly agreed, " Alright..." However, she cast me a evil glance, causing me to back away from Roche, shaking my head. "Roche, you betrayed me!"

" Huff... Just go sit in that chair and let's cut the cake..." Roche said with a hint of annoyance, ready to continue with the party despite the earlier commotion.

I walked over to the table and took my seat. In front of me was a magnificent birthday cake with a candle shaped like the number 3. Surrounding me were the archaeologists from the Tree, as well as some other people who had joined the party.

The entire gathering in the living room joined in unison, chanting, """ Happy Birthday to You!, Happy Birthday to You!, Happy Birthday Dear Ray,

Happy Birthday to Youuuuuuuu. From good friends and true, From old friends and new,

May good luck go with you, And happiness too."""

As the song stopped, they set off small confetti cannons, creating a shower of colourful confetti that added to the atmosphere.

" Happy birthday, you rascal," Olga exclaimed with a playful grin, ruffling her hand through my hair in her own unique way of showing affection.

Suddenly, bursting through the door was a green-haired old man wearing a birthday cone on his head. He held two large boxes beneath his armpits.

Olga snapped her head back upon seeing Clover, her irritation visible. " You're late too!!!" she scolded, rolling her sleeves up once again and looking prepared to give Clover a piece of her mind.

" Sorry! I was busy wrapping these presents..." Clover apologized with a wearily smile on his face.

Clover's explanation seemed to fall on deaf ears, and Olga remained pissed. Yet, Roche intervened once more, explaining, " Tonight is a special day... Don't spoil it with your bloodshed! "

Olga, initially unmoved by Roche's words, suddenly stopped after a moment of realization.

Clearing his throat, Clover then asked with his mouth agape, " Mehmm, if I'm not too late... Ray, did you make your wish already?!"

I chuckled lightly and replied, " No, I haven't made my wish yet. The candle is still burning..."

Clover let out a sigh of relief, his wide grin expressing his happiness. " Good, I didn't miss it! Make your wish, and it shall be granted!" he exclaimed.

I turned my head toward the candle, I stood up on the chair, preparing to make my birthday wish.

" Say it out loud! " Clover his bright smile still firmly in place.

" I wish upon a star! I want to be able to read all the books in the world, I want to learn about this world and what it has! " I exclaimed in my childish, wishful voice. I took a deep breath and blew out all the air in my lungs, extinguishing the candle's flame.

""" YEAHHHHH!!!! """ The entire room erupted in cheers and applause.

-

In the midst of the crowd, Clover and Olga stood side by side.

" Yep, I won the bet, hand it over, " Clover chuckled, extending his hand. Olga let out a sigh, searching through her pockets and eventually pulled out 1,000 berries.

"Hehehe, pleasure doing business with you," Clover chuckled, accepting the 1,000 berries and slipping them into his pocket.

Olga's initial annoyance quickly gave way to a warm smile. " I don't even mind him becoming an archaeologist... he truly is their son, " she said with a bright, proud smile on her face.

Olga's smile faded, and she asked, " So, where is she?" Her eyes were filled with sadness.

Clover responded, " I told her she should come, but she said she was busy with research... but the truth is that she just couldn't bear to see him. "

" That kid has been through so much," Olga said, her face wrinkled with concern.

.

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After I cut open the cake and everyone enjoyed a slice, the room came alive with dancing to the music playing on a snail sponder on repeat. As the party continued, and people had their fill of food and drinks, it was finally time for me to open my presents. Among the various gifts, I was particularly interested in two books and a toy sword.

The party continued for a few more hours, and when it reached 3 pm, most of the guests decided it was time to depart. However, there was one person who remained behind: Clover. He wore an inexplicably bright smile on his face, seemingly with something on his mind.

"Now that everybody has left, Ray, tomorrow I'm going to make your dream come true. Tomorrow, early in the morning, I want you to come to the Tree of Knowledge," Clover said with a warm chuckle.

"Wow! Really? Am I finally going to go there?" I exclaimed with an enormous smile on my face. I rushed over to Clover and hugged his legs tightly.

" Stop... your gonna break this old man's legs... " Clover said as he tried to push me back.

I took a step back and looked at Clover, "Are you telling the truth?" I inquired cautiously.

"HAHAHAHA!!! Yes, your wish is finally coming true!" Clover replied enthusiastically, reaching out to ruffle my hair.

"Sweet!!!" I exclaimed with an even bigger smile on my face. Standing behind me was Olga, who also wore a bright smile. "Well, if that's the case, you should get to bed so you can wake up early in the morning," she advised.

I nodded vigorously in agreement, then turned and rushed up the stairs. I headed straight to the bathroom, where I took a quick shower, brushed my teeth, and then climbed into bed,

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-

Lying in bed, I gazed up at the ceiling with a stoic expression on my face, the earlier smiles having worn me out.

Tomorrow marked the beginning of something great, the start of my journey towards freedom. As I lay in my bed, a genuine happiness enveloped me, and a contented smile gradually spread across my face.

. . . . . . . .

The following morning, I wasted no time. As soon as I awoke, I leaped out of bed dropping to the floor and completed 30 push-ups, which was the most I could manage at the moment. Afterward, I held a squat position for 30 seconds before finally tiring out.

I then rushed to the bathroom to brush my teeth and returned to my room to change into a casual outfit. I wore brown shorts paired with a black shirt and slipped on some comfortable slippers, ready for the day ahead.

I made my way downstairs, where Olga was waiting for me. She handed me a bag, and her warm eyes met mine.

" This is your lunch for the day. I know you won't be coming back for a while, so I packed you some food," Olga said as she crouched down to my eye level

" This is your journey, and you and you alone can walk it..." Olga's tone turned serious, but then a smile slowly crept onto her face.

I returned her smile with a reassuring one of my own. " Don't worry, I already know that," I replied to Olga,

She gave a gentle kiss on my forehead and rose to her feet. "Alright, I'll see you later..."

I waved her goodbye and then left the house, sprinting toward the colossal tree that loomed in the distance.

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I sprinted through the streets, my eyes wide with wonder. This world that had once existed only in animation was now a reality. The bright blue skies stretched overhead, filled with pearly white clouds.

After a while of running, I reached an old cobblestone pathway that led directly to the massive tree. The path was surrounded by an open field covered in lush, vibrant green grass, with the enormous shadow of the tree looming over it.

I came to a stop and took a moment to simply soak in the beauty of the scenery around me. Seeing it in person was an entirely different experience from any animation or book. My gaze eventually shifted toward the colossal tree, the Tree of Knowledge, my destination for the day.

The sight that greeted me was nothing short of beautiful. The Tree of Knowledge stood before me, its immense size taking my breath away. It was truly colossal, its trunk covered in thick, winding vines that hung and wrapped around the tree's surface. The lower part of the tree appeared somewhat slender, while the upper portion appeared more robust, almost as if it had developed an upper body without focusing much on its lower half.

Beyond the tree, I could see towering mountains and a dense forest, creating a majestic backdrop. What caught my attention were the windows and openings hollowed into the upper part of the tree.

I continued walking, my eyes scanning the surface of the enormous tree, until I came across a massive door hollowed into its trunk. As I approached the door and slowly began to open it. And there, right before me, I saw it—

. . . . . . . .

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To Be Continued