I Am In One Piece Summit

Chapter 10: 010 The realm of heaven and man! · Chapter 10: 010. The Realm of One with Heaven! · "You little brat... don't you know those things hunt in packs?" · Dr. Kureha’s eyes narrowed, her voice laced with rising anger. "You think your amateur skills are enough to take on a whole pack of adult Lapins?" · Seeing she was genuinely furious, Messer rushed to explain. · "Don't worry, don't worry! The one I ran into today was alone. It was barely five feet long—not even an adult yet. It tried to ambush me, so I turned the tables and took it out." · He summarized the encounter in a few quick sentences. Noticing the tension in Kureha’s expression soften slightly, Messer let out a sigh of relief. · "Doctor Auntie, let's have roasted Lapin for dinner tonight." · Kureha looked at the half-carcass Messer had dragged into the house, a flicker of surprise crossing her eyes. "Where’s the other half? Did you feed it to your panda?" · Messer explained the situation, recounting the events at the tailor shop. · Kureha gave a thin, mocking smile. "What? Wanting new clothes already? You could have just told me; it’s not like I wouldn't buy them for you." · Messer scratched his head. "Actually, it’s not for me." · "Then who is it for?" The corners of Kureha’s mouth quirked up, as if she were expecting something. "Surely not for that old bastard Garp." · Messer tilted his head and whispered, "I mean, I could... but Lapin fur is a bit small. Maybe I should go back to the tailor and have her turn the overcoat into a vest." · Kureha replied flatly, "In that case, you’re better off hunting an adult one. That bastard is built like a bear." · Messer rubbed his chin, looking deep in thought, before looking up at her. "Then... tomorrow?" · Kureha’s face went cold. "Fine. I'll collect your corpse then. If I’m fast enough, I might even pull you out before you turn into Lapin droppings." · Messer made a bitter face. "Never mind. I still have to look after you in your old age and see you off when the time comes. It would be quite disrespectful of me to go first." · "You little brat! Who are you calling dead?" Kureha’s face flushed with rage. "You want me to hang you from the rafters and break your legs?" · Messer: "..." · He had no choice but to back down. He tapped his forehead as if suddenly remembering something. · "Actually, that won't be necessary. I forgot to mention—the measurements for that Lapin coat were based on your figure. It wouldn't fit anyone else." · Kureha stared at Messer with squinted eyes, now certain the brat was playing her. Her tone was seventy percent irritation and thirty percent restraint. · "Where did you learn these tricks? I don't recall teaching you to be this smooth. Was it that bastard Garp?" · She huffed and continued, "Who eats roasted meat this late? We'll have it tomorrow. You want to turn into a pig eating that much meat at night?" · "Oh." Messer’s tone slumped. He crouched down to look at Winter, the corners of his mouth twitching upward. "Your 'Mama' Kureha thinks you're too fat. You'll have to eat dirt tonight. Mix it with some snow to fill your belly." · Winter had been lying quietly on the floor, trying his best to be invisible. Hearing Messer’s words, his obsidian-black eyes snapped wide open in disbelief. · "Ying?" · His stomach growled right on cue. He cast a pathetic look at Kureha and crawled to her feet, rubbing his bear face against her legs while letting out desperate, whining howls. · He was laying the misery on thick. · Kureha ignored him, her face darkening as she glared at Messer. Her eyelids drooped as she gave a cold, fake smile. "What did you just call me? Winter's mama? Are you calling me a beast?" · Messer shook his head frantically. "You've been raising Winter since he was in diapers. In his heart, you are his mama. I'm just stating the facts." · At this, Kureha glared fiercely at Messer. One hand was on her hip, the other pointing a spatula directly at his nose. "You little brat, you have the nerve to say that? Who was the one who said they'd take care of him? And yet, I’m the one doing all the hard work." · Messer looked at Winter with a helpless shrug. "Your mama is rejecting you. Maybe you should beg harder." · Winter let out a pitiful "Ying-ying" and stood up on his hind legs, wrapping his front paws around Kureha’s leg and looking up at her with longing eyes. · Kureha slapped her hand against her forehead in exasperation. What was wrong with this panda? He was way too clingy. · Who did he learn this from? · Sighing, Kureha gave her leg a gentle shake, sent Winter rolling away, and walked over to the Lapin meat to bring it into the kitchen. · "I give up on both of you. Nothing but trouble. Messer, you’re starting cooking lessons with me soon. You’re old enough to learn to feed yourself." · Listening to the rhythmic thumping of meat being chopped in the kitchen—sounding suspiciously like she was venting her frustration—Messer looked at Winter and tempted him. · "Want to learn how to cook? You eat so much, and you can literally create your own pots and pans. If you learn, you can cook whenever you want and won't have to worry about your mama's mood swings." · Winter looked thoughtful for a second, but then a sinister voice drifted out from the kitchen. · "You really want your legs broken, don't you? If you’re that bored, go read a book or go wash up. I don't want to hear another word from you. Shut it." · Messer gave a dry laugh and hurried to the washroom. Soon, the sound of running water echoed. · After cleaning up, he sat at his desk and picked up a book on surgical case studies, focusing on the essentials of anatomy. Messer found the text and diagrams fascinating. Before long, as the aroma in the house grew irresistible, Kureha’s voice called out: · "Get over here and eat." · Her tone was still icy, showing she was still annoyed. Messer obediently went to the kitchen to help carry the dishes. · The Lapin had been transformed into a massive, fragrant bowl of bone-in meat, accompanied by a fragrant medicinal porridge and a steamer of large meat buns. · The dinner was simple, but incredibly nutritious. · Messer ate until his face was glistening with oil, and Winter was no different. His paws had transformed into iron chopsticks and an iron fork, his mouth hanging wide open in a wild display of gluttony. · Kureha ate slowly and methodically, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly. "Eat slower. There’s more in the kitchen if you’re still hungry." · After the meal, Kureha headed up to the second floor alone. Once Messer and Winter finished, Messer led the bear to the kitchen. Winter’s paws shifted into a pair of rubbery gloves, and under Messer's guidance, they began washing the dishes together. · Diligence had to be instilled early. A Munch-Munch Fruit user would never starve, but to prevent Winter from becoming lazy, Messer taught him everything he could. · Fortunately, the bear was brilliant. · Once everything was settled and he had read a bit more, Messer decided it was time to turn in. · Drum Island was a global medical powerhouse, with people frequently traveling from afar to seek treatment. · Those setting out to sea as "adventurers" often came here looking for doctors to join their crews, though a certain man who occasionally appeared in these waters caused no small amount of grief for some. · But none of this affected Messer’s daily routine. He spent his days learning, hunting, exercising with specialized diets, and accompanying Kureha to various towns and villages to treat patients. · In the process, he earned enough for their daily necessities. · Every day was fulfilling. Messer was like a sponge, constantly absorbing knowledge and techniques from Kureha. · Kureha was happy to oblige. When they first met, she might have viewed the infant Messer as an interesting "test subject," but as time passed, everything changed. · They were family, master and apprentice, and best friends. · They were fellow travelers with the same goals. · In a flash, the year 1503 of the Sea Calendar arrived. It was September, but the winter of Drum Island made it impossible to see even a hint of seasonal change. · At three years and nine months old, Messer stood 119 centimeters tall and weighed 25 kilograms. Under Kureha’s care, he was fair-skinned and healthy, looking like a refined, slightly chubby young boy. · He had short, wavy black hair and a pair of clear, extraordinary black eyes—mysterious and lively, yet tinged with a hint of cunning. His rounded face was pale and soft, his skin hydrated and glowing, and he carried a quiet, almost fragile air of tranquility. · The environment of the island tended to make its inhabitants pale. · However, Messer’s clarity and aura were different. To him, it was the effect of his A-rank Gift [Breathing]. He hadn't expected it to subtly adjust his entire being, nor did he expect it to have such a divine connection with the natural environment. · Breathing was the vital link between a living being and nature. · With advanced breathing techniques and the cumulative interaction with the environment, combined with the sensory insight of Observation Haki, Messer felt an instinctive sense of an impending "metamorphosis." · Recently, this inexplicable feeling had been occurring more frequently. · When in doubt, he asked Kureha for advice. She had simply replied: "How should I know? My breathing isn't as deep as yours. Just follow your gut." · So, Messer continued to eat, drink, and sleep as usual. Kureha hadn't given him a direct answer, but she was wise and experienced. He would trust her and follow his instincts. · Today was a clear day. · The sky was finally free of falling snow, and even the clouds had thinned, revealing a piercingly clear blue expanse. · Messer’s field of vision swayed as he lay on Winter’s back. Winter moved on all fours, leisurely strolling through the forest, the snow crunching beneath his paws. · At just over two years old, Winter was five feet long. Standing upright, he reached over six feet and weighed 80 kilograms—a literal ball of fluff. · To eat was to be blessed, and Winter was a glutton. · He could eat several times his own weight in one sitting. If not for the Munch-Munch Fruit’s ability to consume anything, Messer might not have been able to afford to keep him. · Actually, he didn't usually have to worry about the cost himself. · Resting his head on Winter’s shoulder as he was carried along, Messer found the soft, furry sensation incredibly comfortable. · People often said that intelligence breeds imitation. Messer focused his Observation Haki on Winter. · Messer’s breathing was serene, carrying an indescribable rhythm. Naturally and effortlessly, he sensed a similar rhythm within Winter’s own breathing. · Over the past year, the intelligent Winter had learned that special breathing method through the persistent efforts of Messer and Kureha. · He had only mastered the basics, nowhere near Messer’s level, but it gave Winter significant control over his own body. · Increased physical control manifested in every aspect of his life. · They reached the base of the nearest Drum Mountain, east of their treehouse, after passing through the forest. · Before them stood a grey-brown peak like a pillar holding up the heavens, reaching 5,000 meters into the clouds. · The cylindrical mountain’s surface was covered in fine rock fissures like wood grain—a perfect path for a climber. · However... · For a Munch-Munch Fruit user like Winter, eating the entire mountain might take a century, but eating out a flight of stairs wouldn't take long at all. · A winding, repeating "Z" shaped path appeared on the cliffside. · Winter led the way, climbing from the base. One side of the mountain had been chewed into a path leading straight to the summit. · The path was rugged and uneven, full of gaps and holes—the result of five months of Winter eating his way up under Messer’s direction. · Halfway up, the wind howled. There were no railings on the mountain path, and it was barely wide enough for Winter to stand. Winter extended his claws, firmly gripping the ground. · With the wind whistling around them, Messer followed Winter closely. Two hours later, they completed the climb of ten thousand meters of mountain path. · Messer and Winter crawled out of an internal passage leading to the summit, lifting a stone slab covering the opening to finally step onto the peak. · There was no wind here. It was a secluded pine forest, devoid of people, with a thick layer of snow covering the flat ground. · On this winter island, only the royal family built their castle on the central Drum Mountain peak. The remaining peaks were unused, appearing vast and desolate. · Standing at the edge of the mountain, one could see the entire island at a glance. Aside from the other identical peaks, everything else seemed to prostrate at their feet. · At 5,000 meters, the air was thin. They stood above the clouds, the vast horizon filling Messer with a surge of heroic spirit. · To stand at the peak and see how small the other mountains are! · The urge to shout was irresistible. · Taking a deep breath, his chest and abdomen expanding, a youthful shout erupted from Messer’s mouth. He unleashed all his strength, as if to roar out the heroic spirit within him. · "AH—HAH!!!" · "Ying?" · Drawn by Messer’s outburst, Winter leaned over. Seeing the view below, even though it wasn't his first time, his legs still shook slightly. He looked at Messer and imitated the roar. · "AWOOOO!!!" · Having shouted out his accumulated energy, Messer took another deep breath. A gentle warmth spread through his body, and he felt a subtle sense of clarity from the inside out. · His eyes sparkled. · Feeling that magical clarity, Messer followed his heart—breathing, shouting, using every ounce of his strength to call out freely. Gradually, a deep, internal peace settled over him. · After a long time, Messer stopped shouting, savoring the new sensation within him. · With each rise and fall of his breath, his body felt transparent. He felt a deeper connection to the natural world around him—a profound emotional kinship. · Unsure of the meaning behind this change, Messer happily pulled up the system screen. · Gift List: · [A+ Rank Gift: Breathing] (Growth-type) · Effect: Vitality permeates the body; One with Heaven. Drastically increases the application of one’s physical form and the perception of all things in nature. Grants a permanent, massive acceleration in growth for "Body" and "Soul" attributes of A+ rank and below. · Evaluation: Is this a breathing technique? No, this is the foundation of a true cultivation method. In this moment, you have taken the most vital step. · It had changed. The effects of [Breathing] had shifted significantly. It wasn't just a step forward within the A-rank tier. Messer understood: · "An A-rank Gift already had deeper applications. Although I attained it in one go, I was missing some of the finer details. After a year of adaptation and cultivation, combined with today’s moment of spiritual clarity, its true potential has finally been revealed. I’ve reached the top of the pole and taken another step." · One with Heaven? · A state of spiritual and mental enlightenment. · The foundation for stepping into the realm of the extraordinary. · A satisfied smile played on Messer’s lips. · And that wasn't all.The Sensation of Being One with Heaven: · Union with Heaven and Earth: A feeling of total immersion into the Great Qi of the world. The body becomes ethereal and transparent, acting as a bridge connecting the firmament to the soil. · The Unity of Self and World: Reaching a realm where the distinction between the self and the external world dissolves. One moves without desire or forced effort, their spirit broad enough to embrace all things. · Awakening of Cosmic Consciousness: Transcending the individual ego to awaken a universal awareness, capable of sensing the vast power and wisdom of the cosmos. · Insight into the Essence of Life: A profound realization of the meaning of life and the value of existence, understanding the deepest mysteries of being One with Heaven. · Harmony with the Natural Order: Adhering to the fundamental laws of the world and coexisting in perfect resonance with nature, embodying the pinnacle of the One with Heaven state. · (End of Chapter) · [END]