Inside the church, time seemed to freeze for an instant.
A giant, red, paw-shaped bubble, radiating pain and exhaustion, hung in the air like a congealed, bloody wound.
Bing Sanlang knelt on the ground, staring in disbelief at the scene beyond his comprehension.
He felt the crushing, heartbreaking fever and the aura of pain from the young master in his arms vanish instantly!
In its place was a strange, deep tranquility.
Shimotsuki Lumaru's body slumped softly in Bing Sanlang's arms, but his breathing became steady and deep, no longer the shallow gasps of someone nearing death.
His pale little face regained a touch of color, and his tightly furrowed brow relaxed, as if he had fallen into a long-overdue, dreamless sleep.
The grotesque festering and swelling at the stump of his left arm, while the wound itself remained, the fatal infection and putrid stench also disappeared, leaving only a relatively “clean”, massive wound that needed time to heal.
“This… this is…”
Bing Sanlang's voice trembled, the immense joy and incredible shock making him almost unable to speak a complete sentence.
He carefully touched Lumaru's forehead; it was cool to the touch, and the scalding fever that had tormented the young master for days was truly “pushed” away!
“This is my ability.”
Kuma's voice was still steady and gentle, yet it carried an undeniable power.
His huge hand gently supported Lumaru, who had slipped from Bing Sanlang's arms, and laid him flat on the only relatively clean bed in the church.
“The pain and fatigue have been pushed out, and the body's burden has been temporarily relieved.
But his severed arm… I cannot regenerate limbs; only allow the joint to heal naturally.
The wound needs to be re-cleaned, stitched, and rested.”
Just then, Ginny burst in like a pink whirlwind, a piece of bread still in her mouth.
She immediately saw Lumaru, unconscious but breathing steadily, on the bed, as well as the unsettling red bubble hovering in the air.
“Wow!”
Ginny exclaimed dramatically, her eyes wide, forgetting to eat the snack in her hand.
“Kuma, you pushed out the ‘pain’? Are you going to bear this pain again?!”
“This child looks so small! Wow, this arm…”
Her gaze fell on Lumaru's left arm and the bandage, her voice filled with undisguised sympathy and curiosity.
“What happened? A shipwreck? Or did you encounter pirates?”
Her gaze swept over Bing Sanlang, who was still kneeling on the ground, wearing a tattered samurai uniform with tear stains on his face, then returned to Kuma, seeking an answer.
Kuma did not directly answer Ginny's question; his deep gaze fell on Bing Sanlang, with a hint of inquiry: “His injury is not caused by an ordinary shipwreck or fight.
The cross-section of the wound… was instantly severed by an extremely sharp blade.
Are you from Wano Country?”
He directly revealed Bing Sanlang's origin.
As a Revolutionary Army cadre, he was not ignorant of the customs and conditions of various parts of the world, especially the current situation in Wano Country, which was blockaded by Kaido.
Bing Sanlang's attire and the style of his katana were clearly characteristic of Wano Country.
Bing Sanlang's body trembled, and he suddenly looked up at Kuma.
This pastor not only possessed miraculous abilities but also had a pair of eyes that could discern the ways of the world!
He instantly understood Kuma's unspoken message: Wano Country was now Kaido's private domain, and to escape from there with a severely injured young master meant they must be carrying immense secrets and hatred.
A strong sense of vigilance and responsibility surged through him.
He took a deep breath, struggled to stand, and bowed deeply to Kuma, his posture respectful yet with the firmness of a samurai: “Pastor, you are truly discerning!
I am Omamori Heisaburo, indeed a retainer serving Lord Shimotsuki Ushimaru, the head of the Shimozuki family of Wano Country!
This is… my young master, Shimotsuki Lumaru!”
He deliberately emphasized the surname “Shimozuki”; in present-day Wano Country, this surname itself represented resistance and sacrifice.
“Shimozuki!”
Ginny exclaimed, even dropping her bread on the ground, her pink hair seeming to perk up in surprise.
“That is… the one… who was… by Kaido and Orochi…”
She didn't finish her sentence, but the meaning was clear.
The Revolutionary Army's intelligence network also covered the tragedy of Wano Country, and the fall of the Shimozuki family was one of its most tragic chapters.
Kuma's gaze became even more solemn.
The name Shimotsuki Ushimaru was not unknown in circles resisting the World Government and oppressive forces.
He looked at the sleeping boy on the bed, his tender face with its remaining resolute contours, vaguely overlapping with the image of the samurai known for his “Dragon Slayer” spirit in Kuma's memory.
“Pursued?”
Kuma asked succinctly, his gaze sharp as a blade.
Bing Sanlang clenched his fists, his fingernails digging deep into his palms: “Yes! Orochi's dogs, Kaido's pawns… they are everywhere! We… we escaped with our lives! The young master, he…”
He looked at Lumaru's severed arm, his voice choked, “I failed to protect him…”
A brief silence fell in the church, broken only by Ginny's faint sound of picking up her bread.
The heavy truth weighed on everyone's hearts.
A Shimozuki orphan who escaped from the depths of the hellish New World, right under the nose of one of the Four Emperors, Kaido… this in itself was a miracle, and it also meant endless trouble.
“Wow…”
Ginny exclaimed again, this time in a much softer voice, filled with deep sympathy and a hint of excitement (the adventurous spirit inherent in the Revolutionary Army).
“Then you truly are… lucky to be alive! To actually drift all the way here! Zoro Bei Kingdom is not close to Wano Country!”
Kuma was silent for a moment, his large hand gently stroking the cover of the BIBLE, as if seeking some guidance.
Finally, he made a decision.
“It's temporarily safe here. The World Government's and Kaido's reach has not yet extended into the depths of Zoro Bei Kingdom's slums.”
Kuma's voice was steady and powerful, carrying a reassuring strength, “Let him recover here. You,”
He looked at Bing Sanlang, “also need rest and to treat your injuries.”
He pointed to the hovering red bubble: “I will dispose of this ‘pain bubble’. It will not harm anyone.”
With that, his huge hand waved gently, and the red bubble, like a punctured illusion, silently dissipated into the air, as if it had never appeared.
“Ginny,” Kuma turned to the pink-haired girl, “go get clean bandages, fresh water, and food. And find some anti-inflammatory herbs.”
“Alright! Leave it to me!”
Ginny immediately responded energetically, turning and running out, full of vigor.
Bing Sanlang watched Kuma calmly make arrangements, watched Ginny's retreating back, and then looked at the young master on the bed, breathing steadily, finally free from the shadow of death.
His nerves, taut for nearly a month, suddenly relaxed, and a huge sense of exhaustion and post-trauma collapse washed over him like a tide.
He swayed, slowly slid down the wall to the ground, gasping for breath, tears again flowing uncontrollably, this time mixed with relief, gratitude, and endless lingering fear.
“Thank… thank you, Pastor! For this life-saving grace, Omamori Heisaburo… will never forget it!”
His voice was hoarse but filled with sincere gratitude.
Kuma merely nodded slightly, saying nothing.
He walked to Lumaru's side and began to carefully examine the wound on his severed arm, preparing for a more thorough debridement.
His robust figure in the dim church now resembled a silent and reliable mountain.
He provided the first solid foothold for this master and servant, who had returned from hell.
Shimotsuki Lumaru finally escaped mortal danger and gained precious time to breathe and recover.
The power of the Paw-Paw Fruit cleared the most fatal infection and pain.
Bing Sanlang developed strong gratitude and initial trust in Kuma and Ginny.
Kuma, based on his respect for the Shimozuki family and his stance as a Revolutionary Army member, temporarily accepted them.
The name “Shimozuki” was like a giant target.
Although the slums of Zoro Bei Kingdom were relatively hidden, there was still a risk of information leaking out.
Would Kaido and Orochi pursue them to the South Blue?
Kuma and Ginny, as Revolutionary Army cadres, would inevitably report the information about the Shimozuki orphan's appearance.
How would Dragon view this variable?
Would the Revolutionary Army provide shelter, or would they see him as a potential source of disaster?
When Lumaru woke up and found himself in Zoro Bei Kingdom, his severed arm still there but his life no longer in danger.
How would he use his “prophetic” advantage after coming into contact with a core member of the Revolutionary Army (Kuma)?
How would he plan his and Bing Sanlang's future? How would his reattached arm affect his path of revenge?
Onimaru, left behind in Wano Country, its fate was like a mist, making it difficult to grasp.
What kind of story would this mysterious creature experience in Wano Country?
Onimaru was left in Wano Country, a country full of fantastical colors, which might bring it unexpected opportunities and challenges.
And that crucial “Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, O-Nyudo form” became the focus of Lumaru's attention.
What kind of power did this Devil Fruit possess, and could it grant Onimaru unprecedented abilities?
Or would it bring unexpected changes to Onimaru? These questions lingered in Lumaru's mind, filling him with anticipation and worry for Onimaru's future.
Could Onimaru successfully obtain this Devil Fruit? This was undoubtedly a huge unknown.
After all, Lumaru did not die.
In the ever-changing world of Wano Country, anything could happen.
Perhaps Onimaru would discover this Devil Fruit by chance; perhaps it would need to endure many hardships to obtain it; or perhaps this Devil Fruit was not in Wano Country at all, but hidden in some unknown place.
Nevertheless, Onimaru's fate was closely linked to this Devil Fruit.
Every action it took could affect the final outcome.
And Lumaru, as an observer, could only silently follow Onimaru's story, hoping that it could find its own path in this world full of fantasy and adventure.
How would it connect with Lumaru, who was far away in the South Blue?
Shimotsuki Lumaru's path to survival, in this dilapidated church in Zoro Bei Kingdom, opened a new chapter, full of hope yet also undercurrents.
His encounter with “Tyrant” Kuma and “Glutton” Ginny would undoubtedly draw him into a broader stage of the revolutionary current.
… …
Time flew by, and a year had passed in the blink of an eye.
During this year, Lumaru experienced many things.
The wound on his left arm gradually healed, and after a long period of arduous training, his left hand finally recovered completely, just as it was before.
During this time, Lumaru and Omamori Heisaburo joined the Revolutionary Army together.
They, carrying their pursuit of justice and longing for freedom, dedicated themselves to this great revolutionary cause.
Now, the time had come to the year 1504 of the Sea Calendar, Lumaru was 10 years old, and Omamori Heisaburo was 31 years old.
In addition, Ginny was 33 years old, and Kuma was 29 years old.
These young people, at different stages of their lives, were each writing their own stories.
Bing Sanlang was not only a subordinate of Ginny, the commander of the Eastern Army, but also her capable lieutenant.
He shared deep trust and understanding with Ginny, making him an indispensable member of the team.
Lumaru, on the other hand, was a warrior full of potential, accompanying Kuma on several missions each month.
These missions not only tested their combat skills but also honed their teamwork and crisis management abilities.
In this world full of challenges and opportunities, Bing Sanlang, Ginny, Lumaru, and Kuma worked closely together, facing various difficulties and enemies.
By chance, Lumaru ate a Devil Fruit.
In the world of pirates, it was called the most useless Devil Fruit ability, the “Silence Fruit!”
The Silence Fruit, this was an extremely special existence among the Paramecia-type Devil Fruits!
Its ability was simply astonishing.
When the Devil Fruit user activated the ability, they would create a soundproof wall completely invisible to the naked eye.
This soundproof wall was like an indestructible barrier, isolating all external sounds.
Whether it was deafening noise or subtle whispers, nothing could penetrate this soundproof wall.
And people inside the soundproof wall also could not hear any external sounds, as if they were completely isolated from the outside world.
This ability not only allowed people to enjoy a moment of tranquility in a noisy environment but also played an unexpected role in combat.
For example, when an enemy launched a powerful sound wave attack, the Silence Fruit user could easily block it with the soundproof wall, leaving themselves unharmed.
However, the ability of the Silence Fruit was not without limitations.
Although it could block sound, it was powerless against other forms of energy and attacks.
Therefore, when using the ability, the Devil Fruit user also needed to combine it with their other skills and strategies to maximize its power.
It could also make one's movements completely silent.
When Lumaru used the ability, he would create a dome-shaped soundproof wall within a certain range around himself.
All sounds emitted by people or objects within this dome's range.
Would be blocked by this soundproof wall, unable to pass outside the wall; objects inside the wall would also be unable to hear any sounds from outside the wall, only seeing the actions being performed without sound.
With the mysterious and powerful ability of the Silence Fruit, Lumaru thrived in the Revolutionary Army, achieving numerous remarkable feats.
This Silence Fruit granted Lumaru superhuman abilities, allowing him to move silently in combat, undetected by enemies.
Whether it was infiltrating enemy strongholds to gather important intelligence or delivering a fatal blow to the enemy at critical moments, Lumaru could complete missions with ease.
In one surprise attack on an important enemy base, Lumaru fully utilized the advantages of the Silence Fruit.
He moved like a ghost through the enemy's defenses, silently eliminating one enemy after another, creating excellent conditions for the Revolutionary Army's attack.
Ultimately, this surprise attack was a great success, and the Revolutionary Army successfully destroyed the enemy base, dealing a heavy blow to the enemy.
In addition to his outstanding performance in combat, Lumaru also used the ability of the Silence Fruit to achieve great success in intelligence gathering.
He was able to infiltrate the enemy's interior and obtain critical intelligence without attracting anyone's attention.
This intelligence played a crucial role in the Revolutionary Army's strategic planning and decision-making, helping the Revolutionary Army avoid huge losses multiple times.
In short, with the ability of the Silence Fruit, Lumaru became a capable warrior in the Revolutionary Army, making significant contributions to the victory of the revolutionary cause.