The jungle air was thick and humid as Kira dusted his hands off, stepping away from the groaning gorilla. The fight had drawn a surprising guest — a woman with flowing black hair and a face too sharp and beautiful to be anything but dangerous.
Kira eyed her cautiously.
"Are you one of Big Mom's children?" he asked, tone even but curious.
The woman, still gently tending to the fallen beast, looked up sharply.
"I am," she said, standing. "So if you don't want a war with a Yonko's crew, tell your captain to take his ship and leave. These animals are under my protection."
Kira gave a short laugh, amused.
"You got it wrong. We're a crew on our own… and I'm the captain. We're not after your animals."
Mulan blinked, studying him for the first time with real attention.
Her gaze shifted to the battlefield around them — bruised lions, toppled trees, exhausted tigers. Not a single animal killed. Only minor injuries, nothing serious.
She let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.
"…I guess I was wrong," she admitted quietly.
Kira tilted his head slightly.
"You're too kind for someone in Big Mom's crew."
At that, Mulan hesitated, a complicated look flashing across her face.
"You're right," she finally said. "I'm not… anymore."
Kira's eyes narrowed.
"What do you mean?"
But Mulan turned away, clearly avoiding the question.
Instead, she spoke calmly over her shoulder:
"I can see you carry no malice. Stay until your Log Pose updates — but don't expect treasure. There's nothing for you here. And leave the animals alone."
Before Kira could press her for more answers, Mulan leapt back into the dense trees, disappearing like a ghost.
[Side Quest Triggered – "A Mysterious Doctor"]
Objective: Mulan carries a secret she refuses to share. Uncover her story and invite her to officially join your crew.
Reward: +15,000 EXP, 5 Random Loot Drops
"Sounds fun," Kira muttered with a grin.
Without wasting time, he made his way back toward the crew
Sora was the first to rush up, excitement buzzing around him like static.
"Who was that?!"
"She's a Yonko's daughter," Kira said simply, as if announcing the weather.
Elara's eyes widened in shock.
"Wait — what?! A Yonko's daughter? Here?"
Sora tilted his head in confusion.
"Uh… what's a Yonko?"
Aria crossed her arms and explained coolly, "The Yonko are the four most powerful pirates in the world. Big Mom is one of them."
Sora whistled.
"Sounds… important."
"It is," Elara said seriously.
Kira scratched his chin, thinking aloud.
"She's interesting. Both her story… and her ability."
"You mean the healing?" Elara asked, remembering the soft glow in Mulan's hands.
Kira nodded.
"Exactly. She healed the gorilla in seconds. A healer would be a huge asset."
"You think she'd really join us?" Aria asked skeptically.
Kira grinned.
"We'll see."
——
The forest canopy thickened above as Kira wandered deeper into the island. The rustling of leaves and distant animal calls filled the air, but he moved with purpose, steps quiet and measured.
"Why are you here?"
The voice came from above — calm, direct, and unmistakably Mulan's.
Kira looked up, spotting her perched on the edge of a wooden treehouse nestled high among the branches. The structure looked hand-built, reinforced with vines and care, as if she'd lived there for some time.
Kira smiled
"I'm Raven D. Kira, Captain of the Raven Pirates."
He didn't hesitate.
With a single leap, Kira soared upward and landed effortlessly beside her.
"I just wanted to talk," he said, his tone casual but sincere. "I think you're interesting."
Mulan didn't return his smile. Her dark eyes narrowed.
"My ability… or my family?"
Kira tilted his head slightly, considering.
"I'd say both. But for now, I'll say your Devil Fruit."
She studied him for a long moment before finally speaking.
"I ate the Kikan Kikan no Mi — the Return-Return Fruit. It lets me restore almost anything to a previous state in time. Wounds. Objects. Cells. It's powerful… especially for a doctor like me."
Kira's eyebrows lifted.
"A doctor, huh? That's good to hear."
Then, without missing a beat, he said it:
"I came to invite you to my crew."
Mulan blinked. She actually laughed, short and disbelieving.
"Don't be ridiculous. I told you already — I'm from Big Mom's pirates."
"You were," Kira corrected smoothly. "That's what you said. Not anymore."
She went silent. The air around them stilled.
"You clearly have history with her," he continued, his voice now softer, more serious. "A bad one, I'd guess. But you don't have to carry it alone. Whatever it is, we can face it together. As a crew."
"Are you stupid? We just met," Mulan snapped, narrowing her eyes.
Kira shrugged casually. "Details."
She frowned, clearly not expecting that kind of answer. "Why do you even want me on your crew?"
Kira looked her straight in the eye,
"Because I think you're cool. And I can tell you've got a good heart. Isn't that enough?"
Mulan stared at him, her expression unreadable for a long moment—torn between disbelief and something else, softer.
For the first time, Mulan didn't have a ready answer. She simply stared at him — not with suspicion this time, but with something harder to define. A flicker of warmth. Of doubt. Of hope.
Kira offered a small smile.
"We'll be on the island for a bit. Think about it."
With that, he turned and dropped from the platform with practiced ease.
At the base of the tree, Aria leaned against the trunk, arms crossed and eyes amused.
"You really are dramatic," she said, a smirk tugging at her lips as she fell in step beside him.
"I was being serious for once," Kira muttered, nudging her shoulder with a light punch.
"Sure. Tell yourself that."
As they walked through the foliage, Kira glanced sideways.
"What's everyone else doing?"
Aria shrugged casually.
"I saw Sora playing jump rope with a bunch of monkeys."
Kira blinked.
"…He's what?"
——
Back above, hidden by leaves and shadows, Mulan stood at the edge of her treehouse, watching them disappear into the jungle.
And for the first time in a long while, she didn't feel alone.
——
The sun dipped low over the ocean, casting a golden shimmer across the waves as Mulan walked along the quiet beach, the sea breeze tugging gently at her black hair. The salty air, usually calming, now carried something darker—a tension that made her stomach twist.
She squinted toward the horizon.
There, like black vultures circling their prey, five large pirate ships loomed in the distance, steadily approaching the island. Her eyes widened. The flags were unfamiliar, but the intent was unmistakable.
"No…" she breathed, her heartbeat quickening. "Not again."
Her bare feet dug into the sand as she backed up a step, instinct and memory crashing into her all at once. She had fought off pirates before—but barely. That time, it had been just one ship. This time… five.
"I barely held them off last time," she whispered. Her hand tightened around the staff slung across her back. "I won't be enough. Not alone."
She looked back at the jungle behind her—the home of the animals she had sworn to protect. And now, threatened once more by greedy hands and cruel hearts.
She clenched her fists.
"I made a promise… even if he's gone, I owe him. I can't let them take this island."
Her body moved before her mind caught up, feet pounding the sand as she sprinted back into the thick jungle foliage, branches slashing past her. Her breath came in bursts.
"I have no choice… I owe this island, these creatures—even if he's dead. I have to protect it."
Mulan spun on her heels and sprinted back toward the center of the island.
Kira was walking calmly along a forest path with his crew. The sounds of birds and distant animal calls were replaced by the pounding of footsteps—Mulan, rushing through the underbrush.
"There you are!" she called, panting as she stopped in front of them. "You guys… you're strong, right? I need your help!"
Kira raised an eyebrow. "That's sudden."
"Five pirate ships are approaching. I can't stop them alone," Mulan said, trying to catch her breath. "But if you help me protect this island… I'll join your crew."
A soft chime echoed in Kira's ears.
[Side Quest Triggered – "Under My Flag"]
Objective: Defend the island from the invading pirates and prove your worth
Reward: 17,000 EXP, 3 Random Loot Drops
Kira gave a sharp grin. "That's a fair deal."
"Elara, get Drift," he ordered.
She nodded and vanished back toward the ship.
"The rest of you—let's move."
He pulled the Leviathan Axe from his back, the steel gleaming in the light. Aria followed beside him with swords drawn, Sora walking behind with a grin full of mischief and crackling volts.
——
The five pirate ships had docked. Dozens of pirates in mismatched armor and tattered flags disembarked, led by a towering man with jagged white teeth and metal fangs protruding from his elbows—Darius the Fang.
"Well, well," he sneered, spotting Mulan on the beach. "Still playing queen of the jungle, huh? Got yourself a few pets to help?"
Mulan stepped forward, unflinching. "Why are you doing this again? I told you—this island is under protection."
"You don't get it, sweetheart. The creatures here? They'll make me rich. Exotic fur, horns, pelts, organs—everything sells."
"Hey!" a new voice cut through the beach.
Kira stepped up beside Mulan.
"I'm Raven D. Kira. Captain of the Raven Pirates. This girl—and this island—are under my flag. So I'll say it once: leave."
Darius burst out laughing. "Raven who? Listen here, I've got a 70 million bounty on my head I'll grind you into bone dust before you even—"
"He has the Fang-Fang Fruit," Mulan interrupted. "He can grow fangs from his body and turn them into weapons."
"Ew," Sora muttered.
"Disgusting," Aria added, already walking away with her swords lowered. "We'll handle the others, Captain."
"Wait—what?" Kira looked after them, "We're a crew, you're leaving me alone?"
"You'll be fine," Aria said casually, joining Sora
Mulan blinked in disbelief. "Are you guys seriously pirates?"
Kira just sighed, rolling his shoulders. "Let's get this over with."
Darius was still ranting. "I'll skin you alive! I'll—"
THUNK!
Kira hurled the Leviathan Axe, and it buried itself in the sand inches from Darius's head, cutting off his monologue mid-sentence.
Kira tilted his head.
"Off target… by this much," he said, holding his fingers slightly apart.
Darius's grin twisted into a snarl. "You little—ATTACK!"
His men screamed as they charged down from the ships.
Kira smiled, eyes gleaming. "Now we're talking."
As the battle began, Kira stepped forward with calm determination—his axe tore through the air, flying back into his grasp with a satisfying thud.
And for the first time in years, Charlotte Mulan felt hope stir.
———————————————————
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